劉繼華
一英語社納新啟事
【寫作任務(wù)】
假定你是李華,是校英語社社長。你社打算吸納更多社員,請你寫一份納新啟事,內(nèi)容包括:(1)介紹社團活動;(2)鼓勵大家入社;(3)告知報名時間、方式。注意:(1)詞數(shù)80左右;(2)可適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié),以使行文連貫。
【學(xué)生原文】
Club Members Wanted(1)
Good news for everyone! Our English Club is recruiting for(2) the(3) new members!
Awarded as the best club all over(4) the school, our club never fails to sparkle(5) students enthusiasm about English due to various activities(6) ranging from the annual English Festival to the thrilling Costume Gala(7) themed(8) on British culture. As for those keen Shakespeare lovers, we have plenty of precious collections(9) to offer, which you can not(10) afford(11) to miss.
Anyone interested in English is welcome to sign up for our club. Just call 922154 to register before next Friday.
【劉教授批改】
(1)標(biāo)題形式不錯,符合英語使用習(xí)慣,但只說了“Club”,沒有點明是“English Club”,讀者會感到有些迷惑。
(2)刪去“for”。因為“new members”是“recruit”的對象,是它的動作接受者,“recruit”的動作直接作用于“new members”上,是及物動詞,不能用“for”?!皉ecruit”當(dāng)然也可以作不及物動詞,但作不及物動詞用時,這個動作的直接對象的意義已經(jīng)包含在“recruit”這個詞本身之中。跟“for”是表示目的對象而不是動作對象,如“recruit for the navy”(“為海軍招募新兵”——《英漢大詞典》),“We are not planning at present to recruit any new members for our club”(《英語搭配大詞典》)等。
(3)刪去“the”。這是第一次提到“new members”,非特指。
(4)“all over”是一個區(qū)域上的概念,含有“到處都”的意思,用在此處不大合適。這個句子實際是說,在學(xué)校所有社團中我們這個最好,講的是數(shù)量和集合,以“of”為好。
(5)“sparkle”本義是“冒火花”“閃光”,是不及物動詞,后面不跟名詞。當(dāng)然,它也可作及物動詞,意思是“使……發(fā)光/冒火花”,如“Moonlight sparkled the water”(“月光照得水面閃閃發(fā)光。”——《英漢大詞典》)。但,“enthusiasm”發(fā)光、冒火花的意象在英文中非常別扭,所以它一般是不與“sparkle”搭配的。與“enthusiasm”搭配的詞,如果是“激發(fā)”,多可用“arouse”“rouse”等。如想用火的意象,則可用“kindle”。此處將“sparkle”換成“arouse”就很好。
(6)“various activities”前缺少限定詞,與“due to”的結(jié)合不夠緊密。用“its various activities”就好了。
(7)這個Gala是每年都有,還是總共只舉辦過一次?如是前者,應(yīng)有“annual”或“yearly”等詞;如是后者,則與“activities ranging from…to...”配合不夠緊密,因為要講這樣類型性的“activities”,一般不會拿只是舉辦過一次的活動放到“ranging from…to...”中。把“Gala”改為“Galas”也許好一些。但問題又來了:那么多次“Galas”,都是關(guān)于英國文化的?這里其實還是一個邏輯問題。建議把“the thrilling Costume Gala themed on British culture”改為“English culture galas”。
(8)“theme”多作名詞。作動詞的情況有,但一般作及物動詞,意為“賦予……主題”,既如此,則其后應(yīng)該跟具體的主題,但“British culture”更多的是內(nèi)容范圍,而不是主題,因此不是很妥當(dāng)。
(9)語言上沒有錯,但是是什么“collections”呢?內(nèi)容意義上不清楚。要講清楚,就要有限定和說明,比如,如果是“collections of Shakespeare movies”(最好是“a collection of Shakespeare movies”),就清楚了。
(10)應(yīng)是“cannot”。意為“不能”時,“can”與“not”的規(guī)范寫法是不能分開的。
(11)用“afford”,語氣好像有點太重了。如把“which you cannot afford to miss”改為“which is a shame/pity to miss”應(yīng)該會合適得多。
【劉教授總結(jié)】
全文(含標(biāo)題)95詞,控制在60 ~ 100詞間,符合要求。
這篇作文審題準(zhǔn)確,沒有偏離題情況,要點齊全,主次分明,較好地完成了寫作交際任務(wù)。但在表達與目的傳達上還需有更多考慮,一定要多站在受眾(讀者)角度上想想,他們想要什么。如標(biāo)題沒有點明“英語社團”,只是用了“Club Members Wanted”,會給讀者留下較多疑惑。應(yīng)用文的寫作一定要明晰,除非是故意設(shè)一個懸念,以吸引讀者往下讀,否則不能讓讀者去“猜謎”——但這一類應(yīng)用文,這樣的“懸念”并不合適,它反而會讓讀者覺得寫作者沒有說清楚。
整篇文章語言對意義的傳達還是不錯的,基本上都能做到清楚、直接,語法正確性較高,詞匯意義的把握也比較準(zhǔn)確,從應(yīng)用文的角度講還是值得肯定的。但是,在詞性以及詞匯的用法搭配等方面還存在較多問題,如及物動詞和不及物動詞的用法區(qū)別、介詞與動詞的搭配、動詞與名詞的搭配等還需要注意準(zhǔn)確性與地道性。
在詞匯用法上,有想要出新的努力,如用“theme”作動詞等。這些努力很好,但一定要注意符合使用規(guī)范,要搞清楚詞匯最基本、最本原的意義,方能用得妥帖。
建議:1.多注意詞匯的本原意義,可多查查詞典,尤其是英英詞典;2.在詞匯的運用方面多下點功夫,可多閱讀英文原版書籍和報刊,多參閱搭配詞典(如外語教學(xué)與研究出版社引進的《英語搭配大詞典》《牛津英語搭配詞典》等),以確保語言的正確與地道。
二故事續(xù)寫
【寫作任務(wù)】
閱讀下面短文,根據(jù)所給情節(jié)進行續(xù)寫,使之構(gòu)成一個完整的故事。
I peered over my grandmas shoulder as she sewed pieces of cloth together. The two pieces became one faster than Id imagined. The colours, however, looked ugly when put together and none of the patterns matched. All the patches(補?。﹐n this blanket seemed to disagree.
“Grandma, thats the ugliest quilt Ive ever seen.”
“Oh, sweetie, its warm and beautiful,” said Grandma, pointing to a pile of crazy patterned shirts and suits. “I can take these old clothes that Grandpa and I will never wear again and turn them into something useful and good. Its not the quilts appearance but the love that sews it together that makes it beautiful. This quilt will keep you warm on a cold night like tonight. And I know that for a fact.” Grandma put her hand on my shoulder, “Not everyone is as lucky as we are. Here, put on your coat. Well get a second opinion about how ugly my quilts are.”
Grandma folded a finished quilt and tucked it into a shopping bag. Afterwards, we got in the car and drove downtown. The white snow turned grayer as we got to the city. Eventually, Grandma pulled up at a dark alley(小巷)and we got out of the car. The terrible smell of rotting garbage made me feel sick and pinch my nose shut. Grandma took my hand and led me to the street lamp. I could see the snow shimmering(發(fā)出微光)in the light.
Grandma paused. “Theres usually somebody down this alley. Its quiet and out of the wind—a good place to stay on cold nights. A nice warm quilt might make it even better.”
The dark engulfed(吞沒)Grandma and me as we stepped deep into the alley. The pavement was cracked and missing in spots. Chicken bones and stained boxes littered their way. And Grandmas shoes made a loud sound with each step. Feeling frightened, I squeezed Grandmas hand. Grandma squeezed my hand back. “Its OK,” she smiled.
“Whos there?” shouted a voice out of the darkness.
注意:
1.所續(xù)寫短文的詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右;
2.應(yīng)使用5個以上短文中標(biāo)有下畫線的關(guān)鍵詞語;
3.續(xù)寫部分分為兩段,每段的開頭語已為你寫好;
4.續(xù)寫完成后,請用下畫線標(biāo)出你所使用的關(guān)鍵詞語。
Paragraph 1: “I have a nice warm quilt, if you want it,” said Grandma. _________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: Back home, I found a worn-out quilt by accident in a cupboard. ________________________________________________
“I have a nice warm quilt, if you want it,” said Grandma. The door(1) creaked open and a shimmer of light filtered out(2). Then out came a skinny figure.(3) It was a pale-faced woman with shabby clothes on. Grandma smiled and pulled out the quilt from the shopping bag, handing(4) it to the woman, who looked puzzled at first but(5) the confusion on her face was soon replaced by a warm beam.(6) Grandma tenderly patted her on the shoulder and squeezed her hands(7). I stood rooted as the woman held the quilt tightly, grateful tears streaming down her cheeks, speechless. The darkness drowned us(8) in(9) this cold night, but I did see(10) something shining in my heart.
Back home, I found a worn-out quilt by accident in a cupboard. Curiosity drove me to my grandma. At the sight of the quilt.(11) Grandma gazed off, lost in thought. Then her eyes moistened and she began to recount the story between(12) the quilt and her. It was on a cold night many years ago when she was so poor and hardly made ends meet(13) that she received the quilt from a warm-hearted stranger, which made her determined to pass on the love and help those in need through hand-sewn quilt(14).(15) A touching smile crept ever(16) her face as her calloused hands stroking(17) the quilt. At the moment(18), I felt a ripple of warmth spreading over me. Hugging her tightly in my arm(19), I understood Grandmas words. What made the quit(20) beautiful was the love it contained(21). And I knew what I should do to these patched quilts.(22)
【劉教授批改】
(1)“The door”表示從屋子里出來,但從原文交代來看,以給露宿街頭的人送被子為合適(詳見下文點評中第三個問題)。另,無論是原文還是續(xù)寫,都還沒有提到屋子,因此用定冠詞不妥,可改為“A door”。
(2)“creaked open”“a shimmer of light”“filtered out ”這三個詞組的使用,使描寫很生動,類型上有聲音有光影有動作,修辭上有擬聲有比喻,尤其是“creaked open”,暗示了房子老舊,很好。
(3)這樣的倒裝,往往暗示著一種突然的動作。這里因為有前句鋪墊,突然性其實并不強,因此以正常語序句子為好。句式的選用應(yīng)考慮它所傳達的思想、意義、情感等(詳見下文點評中第一個問題)。另,“figure”乃指身形、身影,與動作“out came”搭配其實不緊密[修改建議見注(6)]。
(4)“hand”這個動作發(fā)生在“pulled out”的同時,不太合理。其實,有許多時候,非限定動詞的使用并不一定“高級”。這里如用“smiled, pulled out…and handed...”連續(xù)性動作,則更加符合動作邏輯,也更加符合英文描寫習(xí)慣。
(5)本來是有轉(zhuǎn)折意味的,但是轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系是在“who”引導(dǎo)的從句內(nèi)部,現(xiàn)在你換了“the confusion”這一新信息為主位,使“but”所引導(dǎo)的分句與主句并列,這個“but”的轉(zhuǎn)折就沒來由了。
(6)從“Then out came”開始到這一句結(jié)束,如果改成“A woman in shabby clothes came out of the house. She was skinny and pale-faced. Grandma smiled, pulled out the quilt from the shopping bag and handed it to her. The woman looked puzzled at first, but soon the confusion ?on her face was replaced by a warm beam”,應(yīng)該更流暢、更自然、更好。這樣改:第一,是從描寫上注意到了順序,先看到衣服臟破,再發(fā)現(xiàn)她瘦,再注意到她臉色蒼白,在這樣一個昏暗的環(huán)境中,是否更合理些?[另請參見注(4)]第二,是語言上注意到了reference(“A woman…She…h(huán)er…The woman”等),很順。第三,是把具有兩個中心的長句拆分成了兩個句子,更清楚,也更符合地道英語一個句子只能有一個中心的要求。
(7)這個動作寫得好,也呼應(yīng)了原文中對祖孫倆這個動作的描寫,很能體現(xiàn)Grandma這個人物的個性,可圈可點。
(8)前面寫到“a shimmer of light filtered out”,這里寫“The darkness drowned us”,似乎有些矛盾,尤其是“drowned”一詞的使用,過重,似乎把前面的光都忘了。如果用簡單的“The darkness was thick around us”,可能更好。
(9)此處“in”用“on”可能更合適些,原文中就有“on cold nights”。
(10)沒有必要用“did see”來強調(diào)(強調(diào)什么呢?為什么要強調(diào)它呢?),用簡單的“saw”更清楚。
(11)此處句號用錯了,應(yīng)改為逗號。
(12)“between”著重強調(diào)了“之間”。這里好像不很妥當(dāng)。用“the story of the quilt”(“and her”也不要了)就很好。
(13)“so poor”與“hardly made ends meet”不搭,而且“hardly made ends meet”還較多含有實際上還是“make ends meet”之意。改為“she was very poor and could hardly made ends meet”就順多了。
(14)“quilt”應(yīng)該是復(fù)數(shù)。另,這里的被子是否是“hand-sewn”其實可能并不重要(除非你想突出她要用手工縫制來體現(xiàn)這種“l(fā)ove”——如果是那樣,那么詞序上也須重新安排),放在這里反而搶了鏡頭。
(15)這個句子很長。長句不是不可以——而且,有長句與短句錯雜使用非常好——但這個句子用了分裂句式,你是想強調(diào)什么呢?我覺得并不合適(詳見下文點評部分第一個問題)。如果這個句子改成“It was what she received from a warm-hearted stranger on a cold night many years ago when she could hardly make ends meet, and that was when she determined to...”,應(yīng)該會好得多。順便說一下,改后的這個句子中去掉了“poor”。為什么?因為它不就是“could hardly make ends meet”嗎?語義重復(fù)。何況你的詞數(shù)已經(jīng)有242個(不含開頭語)了——如果是正式考試,時間也是需要把握的一個要素哦。
(16)應(yīng)是“over”。大意了?
(17)應(yīng)是“stroked”,是謂語動詞。“as”引導(dǎo)的是從句。
(18)為什么要有“At the moment”?在這個句子中,這個時間不但不重要,而且反而會干擾意義傳達(試問:如果不是“at the moment”,那又是何時?為什么“此刻”有那么重要?)去掉這個詞組,這個句子反而更加干凈利索。
(19)應(yīng)是“arms”。一條手臂無法擁抱別人(至少一般來說如此)。
(20)應(yīng)是“quilt”。拼寫錯誤。好像你寫到后面這種粗心的錯誤多了起來,是不是時間來不及了?要注意詞數(shù)與時間的關(guān)系哦。
(21)在我看來,“the love it contained”是Chinglish。我會用“the love in it”。
(22)這個句子是我在這篇文章中唯一沒有讀明白的句子。什么是“what I should do to these patched quilts”?你想表達什么?也許你是想說“what I could do about my old clothes”?這個句子的初衷當(dāng)然是想有某一種“升華”,但如果句子意義不明確的話,是要backfire的。所以,一定要記住,寫作最最要緊的是意義、思想、情感的傳達(如果可能,還有風(fēng)格的傳達)。
【劉教授點評】
總體來說,這篇續(xù)寫寫得非常好,情節(jié)設(shè)計合理,兩段情節(jié)有聯(lián)結(jié)、有發(fā)展,邏輯合理(第二段解釋了第一段中Grandma的行為),尤其是語言通順流暢,意義傳達非常清楚,除最后一個句子有些問題外,基本上沒有讓人費勁琢磨的語句,有些用詞和描寫(如“squeezed”和“The door creaked open”)還非常生動??吹贸?,你有很好的語言功底和很細(xì)致的思考,但有以下幾個問題以后需要多思考:
1.缺邏輯。這個問題,在我看來,是絕大多數(shù)學(xué)生的通病。這個邏輯指的是語言邏輯,用簡單的話說,就是“為什么要這么說”。也就是說,你寫下句子的時候,用某一種形式寫出來的時候,有沒有問過自己:我為什么要這么寫?想要表達什么?想要傳達什么思想、意義、情感、風(fēng)格?所以讀起來感覺就是“隔”。你這篇作文里最典型的一個句子就是“It was…that...”這個分裂句。如果我問你,你為什么要強調(diào),你能否回答上來?你是不是只是覺得就是要用一個強調(diào)句,因為這顯示了你會用這種句式,而且展示了你在作文中有多種句式?可是,你必須問自己一個問題:我想用這個句式傳達什么?這一問,也許你就會更精細(xì)地思考了。其實,無論是句式還是詞匯,任何語言形式,都是有其意義和目的的,我們在選用的時候,一定要問這個問題。
2.落窠臼。所謂落窠臼,就是用了一些現(xiàn)成的、人人都在用的、你信手就可拈來的expressions。寫作文,我們經(jīng)常如此,比如,寫學(xué)期總結(jié),總是“光陰如箭,日月如梭,一眨眼一個學(xué)期……”等等。在英語作文中,我們也經(jīng)常套用一些現(xiàn)成的,比如,不管是高興、悲傷還是感激,總是用“tears streamed/rolled down her cheeks/face”等。不是這些expressions不對,也不是它們不能用,問題在于,在那個地方適不適用!在你的第一段,那個女的如小溪般流下了“grateful tears”,用了transferred epithet和metaphor兩個修辭手法,本