
PRACTICAL SKILLS IN BFT SPEAKING TEST (I)
一、巧用定式开场白 Smart Prologue with Stems
无论在BFT口试第一部分(Self-Introduction)或是第二部分(Presentation),无论考官问什么,都可以灵活运“TIME FILLERS” +“DISCOURSE MARKERS”+ “I GUESS,I THINK,I SUPPOSE,I AM AFRAID,ETC.”来进行回答。而开场白的相对固定说法,实际的作用是帮生瞬间预热,并起到争取时间延时思考的效果,以便接下来更充分的表达。
二、巧用“DISCOURSE MARKERS”妙语连珠 Smart Flow with Discourse Markers
在口试第二部分要点描述过程中,最好不要直截了当地一路说来,只不过偶尔用简单的连接词“AND,BUT,SO”来连接各个要点。而应该使用不同的“DISCOURSE MARKERS”:例如:“AS FAR AS I /YOU/WE KNOW,AS A MATTER OF FACT,FRANKLY SPEAKING,FROM MY POINT OF VIEW,FURTHERMORE,ON THE OTHER HAND,ETC.”等等,从而使得整个描述过程生动自然。以下为其中一例,具体说明:
Interlocutor: Now, I’d like each of you to talk on your own for about a minute. I’m going to give each of you two different photographs and I’d like you to talk about them.
(1)Candidate A, here are your two photographs. They show two different types of classroom. Please let Candidate B have a look at them.
Candidate B, I’ll give you your photographs in a minute.
Candidate A, I’d like you to compare and contrast there photographs, saying where you would prefer to have classes if you were a student and why. Remember, you have only about a minute for this. So don’t worry if I interrupt you. All right?
Candidate A: Well, frankly speaking/ as far as we know, different types of lectures have different effects. On one hand, having a class in a crowd big class with funny topics and lots of interaction is good for preliminary stage of learning. For example, like high school students who need more sensible education. On the other hand, a relevantly quiet and small studio class conducted by specialist with overhead projector might be more suitable for advanced learners, such as postgraduates or researchers. In person, I am most likely interested in big, bustling and interactively funny workshop seminars.
(2)
考生一定要充分利用一分钟陈述准备。每个要点要写出至少一个关键词。除此之外,当考官说完“Remember, you have only about a minute for this. So don’t worry if I interrupt you. All right? Can you start speaking now please?”考生即可运用以上几个方式从容不迫开始: “ Well, you know /As far as I know” 等等, 来引出话题要点。这也是最难的要点。作为图片的描述,如果说谈到在哪锻炼合适,一定要记住要对比和对照(Compare and contrast),既优势和劣势的对比:
Well, actually, exercising in open public area can be very relaxing in fresh air. The most important thing is people don’t have to pay. On the other hand, doing body-building or other intensive or aerobic exercises in a gym can be very effective, as people can do them with the help of coach professionally. But, it’s should be somehow expensive. As for me, I don’t care for paying exercise in the fitness center as I always am a couch potato, though I sure do need some move occasionally. Hahahaha…
如果顺利,至此,时间控制上也不过一分半左右,诙谐幽默、效果理想。
三、巧用“PARAPHRASING”智求考官 Smart Paraphrasing to Please Examiner
BFT口试第三部分(Collaboration )往往具有较强的挑战性。在5个可选的Topics里,需要考生之间商量,迅速做出决定,一般是找出相对较容易的话题比如:(topic:Quality of a Good Government Official), 并运用如下技巧“DESCRIBE,ANALYSE,SPECULATE,EVALUATE,PREDICT,EXEMPLIFY,COMPARE AND CONTRAST,ETC.”,因此,考官在参与的问题中常常会出现一些较难懂的词汇或短语。例如“probity, impartiality, justice, self-reliance, honesty, emergency-handling capability” 等等。社区管理方面的“GATED COMMUNITY,”环保方面的“WHITE POLLUTION,GREENHOUSE GASES,INCINERATION OF CITY REFUSAL ”,工作方面的“BENEFIT PACKAGE OR PAYROLL SYSTEM”,等等。往往会使考生一下子发懵而造成停顿,影响得分。这时候,应该运用相对固定的礼貌问话模式“EXCUSE ME SIR/MAM,ARE YOU SAYING THAT…….”来引出觉得困惑的地方,尽量用自己学过的、简单的英语来尝试解释,即PARAPHRASING的能力,从而唤起考官认同或纠正的欲望,让考生有机会理解该词汇或短语的正确含义。例如:谈务员素质时考官提到的“probity,”考生一时不能理解,可以进行以下尝试:“Excuse me Sir. Are you saying that probity is the clean-handed quality for the government official ?”万一说的不对也不要紧,考官一般都会用简单扼要的英语告诉考生正确含义的。
PAUL LAU,
IELTS SPEAKING & BEC V COACH
SHENZHEN SEG TRAINING CENTER
www.lztranslation.cn
