托福閱讀修辭目的題方法解析
我們知道在語文中修辭的意思是："修"是修飾的意思，"辭"的本來意思是辯論的言詞，修辭本義就是修飾言論。但是托福閱讀中的修辭含義更廣，根據(jù)官方 指南(official guide)的說法，這里的修辭是指"有效寫作或演講的藝術"，也就是說，某個具體信息可能是為了給某個觀點舉例子，下定義，或者是為了闡述、解釋、對 比、反駁、強調(diào)、批評某個觀點。而這里說的具體信息可能是一個詞、一句話甚至是一個段落。另外，修辭目的題的提問方式也比較固定，即：Why does the author mention X in the paragraph 1? 或者是What is the author's primary purpose in paragraph 1?
因此根據(jù)具體信息可能是一個詞、一句話甚至是一個段落以及修辭目的題的提問方式，我們可以將修辭目的題分為兩小類，第一小類：某個段落內(nèi)某個具體信息在一個段落中的作用;第二小類：某個段落在整篇文章中的作用。我們先來看第一小類題。
根據(jù)第一小類題的特點，我們把這一類題目的解題技巧歸納為以下三個步驟：關鍵詞定位，解析句群，核對選項。關鍵詞定位，根據(jù)題干中提到的具體信息找到它在原文中出現(xiàn)的位置;解析句群，找到具體信息后，讀具體信息所在的那一句話以及它的上下句，找到這個具體信息支撐的觀點;核對選項，觀點就是正確答案。 我們結合例題來看看這三個步驟具體怎么運用。
例題1：Passage Excerpt: Sensitivity to physical laws is thus an important consideration for the maker of applied-art objects. It is often taken for granted that this is also true for the maker of fine-art objects. This assumption misses a significant difference between the two disciplines. Fine-art objects are not constrained by the laws of physics in the same way that applied-art objects are. These are problems that must be overcome by the artist because they tend to intrude upon his or her conception of the work. For example, in the early Italian Renaissance, bronze statues of horses with a raised foreleg usually had a cannonball under that hoof.
Why does the author discuss the bronze statues of horses created by artists in the early Italian Renaissance?
To provide an example of a problem related to the laws of physics that a fine artist must overcome
To argue that fine artists are unconcerned with the laws of physics
To contrast the relative sophistication of modern artists in solving problems related to the laws of physics
To note an exceptional piece of art constructed without the aid of technology
首先我們根據(jù)題干中的關鍵詞“in the early Italian Renaissance”定位到“For example, in the early Italian Renaissance, bronze statues of horses with a raised foreleg usually had a cannonball under that hoof.”這一句話。在讀懂這一句話后，我們發(fā)現(xiàn)這句話中有一個“for example”。很顯然，作者寫這一句是為了支撐前文提到的一個觀點，而觀點就是它的前一句話“These are problems that must be overcome by the artist because they tend to intrude upon his or her conception of the work.”最后根據(jù)我們對觀點句的理解，核對選項。因此本題答案是第一個選項。
第二小類題目問的是文章中某個段落在文章中的作用。我們知道作者在一篇文章中寫一個段落目的就是為了支撐整篇文章，換而言之，段落大意必然服務于文章大意。因此第二小類題做題技巧即為找段落大意，核對選項。我們還是結合例題來看看這兩個步驟。
例題2：Passage Excerpt: Observational assessment techniques have become much more sophisticated, reducing the limitations just presented. Film analysis of the infant‘s responses, heart and respiration rate monitors, and nonnutritive sucking devices are used as effective tools in understanding infant perception. As stimuli were presented, changes in the infant's sucking behavior were recorded. Increases in the number of sucks were used as an indicator of the infant's attention to or preference for a given visual display.
What is the author's primary purpose in paragraph 3?
To explain why researchers must conduct more than one type of study when they are attempting to understand infant perception.
To describe new techniques for observing infant perception that overcome problems identified in the previous paragraph.
To present and evaluate the conclusions of various studies on infant perception.
To point out the strengths and weaknesses of three new methods for quantifying an infant's reaction to stimuli.
大家讀完這一段話后，應該很容易就能得到這一段話的段落大意，即該段第一句話。根據(jù)第一句話的意思，我們快速找到正確答案即第二個選項。
上面為大家講解了新托福閱讀修辭目的題的兩小類題目，通過學習講解到的它們各自的技巧，相信大家今后可以比較容易，比較快速地解決掉這一類題。
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