從《劍七》看雅思口語的最新題材類型
《劍七》終於粉墨登場。《劍七》所有題目共同的解題關鍵字是：平衡。《劍七》帶來的好消息是：比《劍六》簡單。《劍七》帶來的壞消息是：形式大於內容。結論：理解了形式，才能做好內容。
《劍七》口語題目的普遍特點
一、 考查考生的抽象思維和對價值觀的思考。如題例：
Laughing
What kinds of thing make you laugh?
Do you like making other people laugh? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s important for people to laugh? Why or why not?
Is laughing the same as feeling happy, do you think? Why or why not?
此關於“笑”的話題考察了考生對於歡樂、開心的各方面理解。與之屬於一類的、近年來出現過的價值觀話題有Happiness, Success, Change等。做好這類題目，考生必須要對人生有自己的感悟，建議考生們準備一個人生勵志故事，最好一波三折，在情節演變過程中加入一些能體現考生自身英文功底的高級表達，故事的最終結果能夠皆大歡喜，而且該經歷的選擇必須符合該經歷對考生人生具有指導意義。然後將該故事套入此類型的題目中，考官應該會有不錯的反響。
二、部分題目朝寫作題型靠攏。《劍七》中典型的題目有：
Ideas and education：
Some people think that education should be about memorizing the important ideas of the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
這道題的出法容易令人聯想起雅思寫作題的出題風格。筆者認爲這是《劍七》帶來的一個重要啓示，即日後雅思口語和寫作題的風格會愈趨愈近。建議考生提高效率，將寫作題庫和口語整合起來準備。
《劍七》中的口語題材分類以及解決方案
題型分類1：開放式命題
1. 開放式命題定義
筆者把一部分題目歸爲“開放式命題”，就是考生一聽這些題會覺得答案應該會非常豐富，絕不是隻有一種趨向。比如：
• Do you prefer to contact different people in different ways?
• What kinds of thing make you laugh?
• Is laughing the same as feeling happy, do you think?
• What is more difficult: having new ideas or putting them into practice? Which is more important for a successful company?
• Some people think that competition leads to a better performance from sports stars. Others think it just makes players feel insecure. What is your opinion?
這些題目乍看應該就會使大部分考生覺得答案有很多種可能。
2. 開放式命題解決方案
此類題的解題內容可屬仁者見仁，智者見智。這樣反而在解題思路上考生就要注意避免答案極端化，千萬不要回答地很片面，而應回答地平衡和全面，以體現考生思維的嚴謹，內容的貼切。要做到這一點，需要準備很多經典名句。建議考生多背一些中譯英和英文的名言，而這些名言的內容儘量能夠有助於表現出事物的多樣性和事物的平衡感。
比如中文中有句名言叫做：“不管白貓黑貓，抓到老鼠就是好貓”。這句話英文怎麼說呢？其實考生隨便怎麼翻，只要意思清楚，考官一般能夠接受。如翻成“Whether a white cat or a black cat, a good cat catches mice”。當然，英文中也有相關的名言，比如“Every road leads to Rome.”這兩句話的意思其實一樣。那麼，如果我們還要再想一句意思上和上述兩句相關的paraphrasing呢？我腦海中出現了這樣一句：“Everyone has his or her Hamlet in the mind.”這三句話在意思上都能體現事物的多樣性。下面以Hamlet這句爲例，我們來看看怎麼將其變化出不錯的答案來。
比如題目爲What kinds of thing make you laugh?
範文：
Well, this is a very interesting question. As far as I know, different things can make different people laugh. Just as the saying goes, “Everyone has his or her Hamlet in the mind”. Actually to my mind, many things can make me laugh, so it’s really harsh for me to generalize some certain things. However, if I have to say something about this, I would say on the top, as we all know, funny stories or things can make people laugh, for me the same. In addition, encouragement from my parents and friends can make me laugh and give me courage. Furthermore, success in career and happy love can make me laugh out loud, of course. In summary, at least there are three things that make me laugh.
題型分類2：科技發展推動生活習慣變化
1. 科技題的考試範圍和內容
• computer, the Internet and chatting tools online such as QQ, ICQ, MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, UC, Fetion
• PSP, PS3, mp3, mp4, e-dictionaries
• means of transportation: mopeds, light rails, metros, maglev
• household appliances such as the microwave oven, the fridge, the dish washer, the washing machine and the vacuum cleaner (They have dramatically promoted our efficiency.)
• high-tech crimes: the Internet crimes – hackers, the Matrix (Reloaded)
2. 科技類題目解決方案
根據筆者對《劍七》的研究以及對近年來雅思口語中科技題內容的分析，發現科技類題目的出題範圍主要涵蓋上述五大內容。一是電腦和網絡對人類帶來的影響，以及網絡給溝通帶來的便捷和問題。考生應該掌握主要的聊天工具。二是最新便捷手提掌上電腦類產品，比如PSP等，考生應該學會描述它們給生活帶來的便捷。三是科技發展爲交通工具帶來的進步，考生應該掌握新型交通工具的名稱以及優缺點。四是家用電器的名稱以及各自的優缺點。五是高科技帶來的負面效應即高科技犯罪這一塊內容，尤其是高科技犯罪中最惡性的犯罪——網絡犯罪。建議考生對於網絡犯罪問題對社會帶來的危害能夠進行描述分析，並能給出例子，比如電影《黑客帝國》的大概內容，黑客的基本說法等。
下面筆者將以《劍七》中的幾道經典科技題給出大概解題思路，希望廣大考生能窺一斑見全豹，以一當十地應對日後可能會遇到的科技題目。
• Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family?
這個可以直接把各種聊天工具進行羅列。
• In your country, did people in the past keep in contact in the same ways as they do today?
同上。
• What changes would improve the way you travel to work/college?
以軌道交通爲首的工具有很多，可以簡單羅列。
• How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of using them?
這個問題的前面還有一個問題：即家用電器有哪些？然後引出這樣問題。那麼對於考生來說，直接說問題的兩面性是邏輯辯證的。優點是他們能帶來便捷，缺點是他們會使人產生依賴性lead to dependence.
• How have developments in technology affected employment in your country?
電腦的普及對於招工有明顯的影響。因爲現在幾乎所有單位都要求員工能使用Microsoft Office software。如果不會基本就在看簡歷的時候被out了。因此這道題和電腦、網絡等有着密不可分的關係。
題型分類3：傳統文化的影響
1. 傳統文化在雅思口試中的考點
• Culture shock: eastern and western
• Time shock: past and present
考官一般會從以上兩方面對於一些富有中國特色的行爲和考生展開討論。例如：
Question No. 1：What are the main reasons why people organise family parties in your country?
Question No. 2：In some places people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this ever true in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend?
2. 關於中國傳統文化題的解決方案
首先筆者談談Culture shock類題目。當考生被問到中國人在各種場景中的行爲模式時，考官的期待是聽到考生談到東西方文化差異產生的部分行爲差異。以Question No. 1爲例，考官的期待是考生對於中國文化中人們開派對的原因，而不是簡單地回答原因和西方一致就可以搪塞的過去的。所以這道題的啓發是，我們是否能夠將中國人的“吃”文化，和西方人的“玩”文化在派對這個場景、雅思口試這個場合中，彰顯出來。範文如下：
Wow, actually I believe in China maybe the biggest reason why people hold parties is that they want to celebrate a wedding or a birthday. However, I would say that when we hold parties we generally hold feasts cuz Chinese people prefer to eat a lot instead of playing in the parties. And sometimes we also throw farewell parties to give our relatives or friends a great send-off to another country. In conclusion, I feel that we have at least two reasons for this.
其次筆者將分析Time shock類題目，如上題Question No.2。這是中國文化傳統行爲在不同時代表現差異的題目。有時候考官會先描述一種任何時代都有可能發生的普遍（中國）文化現象，比如像No.2中談到的花錢慶祝家庭活動的行爲，然後問在將來是否仍將如此，或者在中國這個做法過去和現在有什麼不同？此類題目建議考生始終圍繞優缺點、辯證思想去展開，無論在過去、現在，還是將來，這種文化現象都是雙刃劍。這樣考生能夠順利避開因爲分析不同時代的獨特性帶來的解題困擾，而直接論述這一現象在任何時代具有的普遍優劣性。範文如下：
Well, I believe this is also true in China, yet I don’t think it’s totally a good or bad trend cuz actually, “for every plus there is a minus”, so as for this, maybe in the future it’ll still exist, but it’ll always have its merits and defects. On one hand, big celebrations are exciting. However, they can also be a huge reason for loss of money, and even would break us if we over-consume. All in all, we need to careful when we make our cost plans.
題型分類4：工作
1. “面經題”考法
《劍七》對於工作的關注是秉承了之前六冊的一貫風格。雅思口語真題中始終會出現一塊領域是關於工作的，而且很多內容和工作面試中的所謂的“面經”完全一致。這對很多不僅要參加雅思口試，同樣要參加國外大學，或者企業面試的考生來說是一舉兩得的。那麼“面經”是什麼呢？面經就是面試時可能會問到的問題以及一般處理方式。《劍七》中的面經包括：工作中的成就和收穫，工作中的困難以及工作中的體驗。具體題目如下：
Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college.
You should say:
When and where you had your idea
What your idea was
Who you told about your idea
And explain why you thought your idea would make an improvement.
這道題也是很多MBA學校在錄取考生是會看的一道題目。在以往的真題中，筆者注意到“面經”題還真不少呢！而且一般都是第二部分的題目。相似度高、經典的類似題目包括：
• Describe a project you have ever taken part in.
• Describe a success.
• Describe a change in your life.
2. “面經題”解決方案
對於這類題目的做法，建議考生通過準備一個工作中的故事，代入題目當中進行做題。當然，從故事的取材角度來說，應該是對考生有進步意義、令人難忘的工作經歷。
題型分類5：Do you agree or disagree型
1. Agree or disagree題定義
• Some people think that education should be about memorising the important ideas of the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• Some people think that technology has brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays. Would you agree or disagree? Why?
一般此類題目先陳述一種現象，然後問考生是否同意，爲什麼。和寫作題風格無限趨近。
2. Agree or disagree題解決方案
這一類題目趨近於寫作題，同時又比較新穎，做題思路很鮮明。建議考生在做這類題時走“平衡”路線，先肯定對方，再增加不能完全同意考官的內容。因爲這種題目在出題思路上都是先陳述完整觀點的一部分，然後問考生是否同意？無論考生是否同意，都會流於片面。所以走“平衡”路線，同意考官的同時，在補上這個話題的另一面，在回答問題時就會顯得非常全面、圓滿了。
例如第一題可這樣作答：Well, this is a very interesting question to be frank with you. I guess I can partially agree with you cuz we really should memorize many things in our study. However, sometimes memory is not the only essential thing cuz we also need to use our creativity and logic in study in order to make it more efficient and effective. So I’m afraid I can’t totally agree with you.
題型分類6：專業導向型問題
1. 專業導向型問題的考點
當然，專業導向型問題的名稱應該已經彰顯出其特點——考專業領域知識。還好考的不多。《劍七》雖然在難度上專業導向型題目少了，但是仍然不乏此類題需要考生事先進行關注的。比如：
• How do you think teachers could help students to develop and share their own ideas?
• Why do you think some school teachers use competitions as class activities?
• Do you think it is a good thing to give prizes to children who do well at school? Why?
這三個問題都是與教育和老師相關的。這類題目涉及教育學的一些理論和方法，一般考生很難有比較理想的答案。
2. 專業導向型問題解決方案
建議考生能做到在“機經”中對此類題目進行遴選，並在考試前準備一些相關的專業內容。以上述三道題爲例，筆者給出一些解題思路，以便考生熟悉答題方向。第一題可以用課堂互動(class interaction)來解決。第二題可以用激發潛能(tap their potential)來解釋。第三題則要區分物質激勵(material incentives)和精神激勵(spiritual incentives)對學生可能產生的影響。
本文總結了《劍七》的六大特色，它是我們至少未來一年內的考試風向標。建議廣大考生能吸取本文精華，更有針對性地進行復習，以取得最好的效果。祝大家考試順利，英語進步!
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