實例講解TOEFL托福閱讀句子簡化題解題思路－愛薇塔樂學英文

實例講解TOEFL托福閱讀句子簡化題解題思路

　　句子簡化題 Sentence Simplification questions

　　句子簡化題是新題型之一，在這裡我們先講解一下。對於句子簡化題，有一些題目如果句子不長，我們做題的基本原則就是：同義替換。找到原句中的關鍵字在選項當中進行同義替換。例如，

　　In evolutionary history, the development of language set humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

　　A. Humans evolved as the most powerful species after they are developed language.

　　B. The creation of human language has its origins in the language of animals.

　　C. The emergence of language distinguished early humans from other animals.

　　D. Humans and animals developed completed different systems of communication.

　　先來看題幹：Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

　　該題要求從選項中選擇一個能夠表達原文陰影句子核心資訊的句子。很多同學採用翻譯的方法做題，即首先翻譯原句，然後逐個翻譯四個選項。這種做法不僅浪費時間，而且對我們讀句子的能力要求極高。更好的做法是，首先判斷句子的核心資訊。這是考題當中為數不多的原句比較簡單的句子釋義題，原句的核心概念在於強調區分(apart from)。因此找到同義替換，即是C 項當中的distinguished。但是大多數題目的原文不會是一個簡單句，多數是帶有邏輯關係的複雜句。那麼簡單的同義替換技巧就無法操作了。如何快速解決這種題型呢?我們主要分兩個部分來解析。

　　其實，我們在讀原句的時候並不需要完整的徹底的攝取資訊，相反，我們通過快速流覽，只需要關注兩個關鍵點：一是原句當中的表示程度，頻率的詞，二是原句當中的邏輯關係。並不需要吸收所有資訊，只需要快速流覽將所關注的資訊點抓住即可，這樣便節省了大量的時間。

　　The extreme seriousness of desertification results from the vast areas of land and the tremendous numbers of people affected, as well as from the great difficulty of reversing or even slowing the process. Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

　　A. Desertification is a significant problem because it is so hard to reverse and affects large areas of land and great numbers of people.

　　B. Slowing down the process of desertification is difficult because of population growth.

　　C. The spread of deserts is considered a very serious problem that can be solved only if large numbers of people in various countries are involved in the effort.

　　D. Desertification is extremely hard to reverse unless the population is reduced in the vast areas affected.

　　解題思路：

　　句子中最核心的資訊首先就是該句的邏輯關係。原句的邏輯關係可以由result from 來判斷，為因果關係。借此我們就可以縮小選項範圍，首先排除掉C,D 選項。剩下的A,B 兩個選項均包含因果的邏輯關係。接下來我們可以根據句子的第二種核心資訊：主語，來判斷。原句的主語是Desertification 沙漠化，而B 項的主語是Slowing down the process of desertification 減緩沙漠化進程。所以排除掉B 選項，A 為正確答案。

　　將通過程度詞解題和借助邏輯關係解題結合起來，對於解答帶有邏輯關係的複雜句的釋義題很有幫助。我們看下面這道題目：

　　It is one of the most important sensations because it is translated into a negative reaction, such as withdrawal from danger.

　　Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

　　A. Escaping from danger is a negative reaction, but it is the most important thing an individual learns.

　　B. The ability to sense pain is extremely important because pain signals the body to respond to a threat.

　　C. Experiencing pain is one type of reaction to a negative stimulus; another type is avoiding danger.

　　D. We experience a lot of sensations, and the most important ones are translated into appropriate actions.

　　( 本題節選自，新託福考試備考策略與模擬試題，群言出版社，P150，第1 題)

　　流覽原句，從because 可以看出邏輯關係為因果關係，並且原句當中有絕對化詞彙most。僅僅憑藉most 這個程度很強的詞彙我們可以排除C 選項。因為原文當中帶有絕對化詞彙而選項中沒有，那麼這個選項為必錯選項。接下來利用邏輯關係排除A 項，A 中為轉折關係。而B 恰恰有because 這個詞，此外B 中的extremely 可以作為most的同義替換。正確答案為B。