College Board 官方发布了SAT Skills insight 语法部分不同分数段所要求的各项技能以及提分建议,为同学们的复习指明了方向,然而有些内容官方提供的信息比较含糊,不同分数段有重复的内容,所以辅导老师们结合丰富的授课经验,为广大考生详细分析在SAT 官方备考建议中的各种技能,常考知识点和出题规律,从而拨开SAT 语法考试的云雾。因为大部分同学的基础水平在400 分以上,所以我们以400 分作为起点,重点解读400-490 分,500-590 分,600-690 分、700-790 这四个分数区间对于语法方面的建议。
一、分数区间400-490
SAT 官方复习建议中,对于Writing分数位于400-490 区间的同学们给出的建议为:
*1、Manage word choice and grammatical relationships between words处理词汇选择和词汇间语法关系
(1In your reading ,choose a paragraph and examine the relationship between the pronouns
and their logical antecedents. In your own writing, make sure that your pronouns refer specifically to logical antecedents.
意思为:“阅读时,选择一个段落,检验代词和先行词之间的关系。写作时,确保任何代词都对其先行词有明确专有指代。”
在语法部分中,经常涉及到一些代词指代的问题,比如指代不清、空指代、代词单复数、人称不一致的现象等。指代不清具体表现为三点:1、代词对于先行词没有明确的指代,句子中出现代词it,而句中出现多个单数名词,无法确定it 所指。2、代词it、this、that、which 等词指代一件事。3、同性别两个人出现,经常用he 或she 指代其中一人,指代不清。空指代具体表现为代词中没有先行词,无指代对象。
如2013 年5 月亚洲真题中,考到如下题目:
Even though most (A) Americans deplore the shortsighted exploitation of nature and the thoughtless disturbance of ecological balance, they are(B) still reluctant(C) to change it(D). No Error.(E)
根据指代不清的第二点,D 选项中it 指代了the shortsighted exploitation of nature and the thoughtless disturbance of ecological balance,而不是简单的一个单数名词,所以认为指代不清,可以名词化,改为this situation。
*(2)In your reading, try to become aware of idiomatic expressions, especially the use of prepositions. In your own writing, peer edit or proofread for the idomatic use of prepositions.
意思为:“阅读时,了解习惯用法,尤其是介词用法。写作时,需要随时修改或校正介词的习惯用法。”
在语法考试中,固定用法,尤其是与介词的固定搭配一直是同学们头疼的题目,而且基本是每次SAT 语法考试必考的题目,比如encourage sb. to do/resistance to/cope with 等。同学们需要注意平时多积累已考固定搭配,以及在语法题目中自己不够熟悉的固定搭配,比如condemn sth. as…这个词组在正确和错误的选项中都涉及过。
*(3)In your reading, pay attention to how temporal elements (dates, times, etc.) dictate the appropriate verb forms. In your own writing, be sure to use consistent verb tense.
意思为:“阅读时,注意有关时态的要素(日期、时间等)如何确定适当的动词形式。写作时,确保使用一致的动词时态。”
在语法考试中,要注意句子中动词的时态一致、或者选择适当的动词。动词的时态一致可以通过未划线动词的时态以及时间状语等作为标准,其他动词根据时态的先后顺序或者发生时间选择正确的时态。主从句不必时态一致;自然现象、客观真理以及文学作品情节为一般现在时。
如2012 年1 月真题中,考到如下题目:
In the years following (A) the Second World War, as millions of soldiers returned to civilian life, the demand for (B) housing will cause (C) a massive expansion of(D) suburbs. No Error.(E)
此题中,时间状语为in the years following the Second World War,未划线动词为returned,为过去式,所以按照句意,C 选项中will cause 一般将来时应该改为一般过去时caused。
*2、Manage Grammatical Structures used to modify or compare 使用语法结构做修饰或比较 When reading, pay attention to how writers use introductory phrases to logically modify what follows.
When writing, check to see that all modifiers and modifying phrases are used appropriately.
意思为:“阅读时,注意作者如何运用引导性短语来有逻辑性地修饰接下来的内容。写作时,确保正确使用修饰词和修饰性短语。”
此考点可以理解为逻辑主语题中的一致问题。通常结构为 Doing..., SVO./Done..., SVO./ To do..., SVO.过去分词、现在分词以及不定式等成分都是修饰句子的主语。注意与所修饰词分别起到的是主动、被动以及将来等意义。此考点为每次考试必考题。注意这些修饰词组如果放在主句之后,还是要保证说明主句主语,则结构为“SVO,doing...”。近年来的难点是分词前面会出现by, never 等词。#p#分页标题#e#
如2012 年1 月真题中,考到如下题目:
Founded in 1919, the aim of the Bauhaus School was
to create a revolutionary modern style that would unite
art and mass production.
A .aim of the Bauhaus School was
B. aim of the Bauhaus School having been
C. Bauhaus School, whose aim was
D. Bauhaus School aiming
E. Bauhaus School aimed
首先,分词结构founded in 1919 为过去分词结构表示什么东西在1919 年被建立,A、B 选项主语都为aim,不能被建立,先排除。C、D、E 都为Bauhaus School, 都可以被过去分词修饰,但是后面要保证是一个句子,而C、D选项都没有主句中的动词,E 选项动词为aimed,时态也对应,所以答案为E。
*3、Manage phrases and clauses in a sentence在句中使用短语和从句
*In your reading, choose a paragraph and be able to distinguish gerunds from main verbs, especially when both end in “ing.” In your own writing, make sure you use gerunds and participles appropriately.
意思为:“阅读时,选择一个段落并可以区分谓语动词及动名词,尤其当它们都以“ing”结尾时。写作时,确保正确使用不定式和分词。”
主要考察对非谓语动词的理解。动名词和谓语动词所做成分不一样。另外,在SAT 语法考试中,后置定语做修饰成分也是难点。一般情况下是现在分词、过去分词以及不定式短语做后置定语,注意与所修饰词分别起到的是主动、被动以及将来等意义。结构为“S,done..., V...”等。注意有些动词过去分词和过去式一样,容易混淆为谓语动词。
如2013 年5 月亚洲真题中,考到如下题目:
The meteor shower being(A) best seen from (B) the naval observatory on Saturday (C) just before (D) down. No Error.(E)
句中A 选项being 是be 动词的现在分词形式,而此处需要be 动词的谓语动词形式,此句没有明显时态要求,可改为is、was 等。
*4、Recognize correctly formed sentences 识别形式正确的句子
*In your reading, pay attention to the parts of speech and how they agree in well-formed sentences, notice modifying words and phrases and how they function when used correctly, and note the relationships between phrases and clauses in well-formed sentences. In your own writing, make sure that subjects agree in number with their associated verbs and that main verbs are used
to construct complete sentences; that pronouns agree in number, gender, and person with their logical antecedents; and that verb forms are used consistently and logically. Be sure to use correctly formed modifying words, and make sure that modifying words and phrases are placed correctly to show logical modification. Use proper subordination and coordination to join ideas and to form complete sentences.
意思为:“阅读中,注意词性以及它们是如何构建格式正确的句子的;注意修饰性词语和短语以及如何正确使用并发挥它们的作用;注意格式正确的句子中短语及分句间的关系。在写作中,确认主语与相联系的动词保持数量一致性,并且主要的动词构建了完整的句子;确认代词在数量、性别和人称上与先行词的一致性;确认动词形式的一致性和逻辑性。确保使用形式正确的修饰性词汇,并把其及短语放在正确的
位置进行有逻辑地修饰。使用正确的主从关系和平行关系来表达观点并构建完整句子。”
此建议已经包含之前所说的动词、代词、形容词、副词、后置定语、逻辑主语等知识点。
需要注意主从句和平行结构。在主从句方面要注意从句是否有动词,时态、单复数是否正确,主从句逻辑关系是否正确,常用从句改写无逻辑的并列句以及run-on,注意定语从句引导词的选择是否正确;平行结构注意要对“and”等词敏感,注意结构平行、词性一致。
*5、Manage order and relationships of sentences and paragraphs 处理句子或段落的顺序及关系
*In your reading, be able to recognize coherence, even in paragraphs with a complex development.
In your own writing, develop multiple means of elaborating your ideas logically within a paragraph.
意思为:“阅读时,能够透过文章复杂的写法理解文章的连贯性及一致性。写作时,在文章中用多种方法来有逻辑地详细阐述作者观点。”
此考点考察句子间以及段落间的逻辑关系,比如让步、转折、因果、举例等逻辑关系,在三种题型中均有分布,尤其是IP 题,注意选择正确的连词或者连接结构。#p#分页标题#e#
如2009 年5 月真题中,考到如下题目:
(1) For a long time, there has been a vocal minority of people who question whether Shakespeare really authored the works attributed to him. (2) These skeptics claim that the plays and sonnets were actually written by Edward de Vere, Christopher Marlowe, or even Sir Francis Bacon. (3) Most serious scholars dismiss such claims. (4) What about the socalled authors of other famous works of literature?
In context, which is best to add to the beginning of sentence 3?
A. For example,
B. In addition,
C. However,
D. Unfortunately,
E. Similarly,
根据第二句和第三句的关系,尤其是第三句的dismiss such claims, 表明skeptics 和serious scholars 的观点是相反的,所以两句是逻辑关系,应该选择C 表示转折。
二、分数区间500-590
College board 的Skills Insight 提出,当学生把400-490分数段的基础打扎实之后,可以进一步提升到500-590 分数段。下面详细阐述500-590 分数段学生应掌握的较难技能,对于没有阐述的技能,Skill Insight 提出应参考400-490 分数段相关技能。
官方给出的建议为:
* 1、Manage word choice and grammatical relationships between words 进行词汇选择并较好的
处理词汇间语法关系
*In your reading, choose a paragraph and identify the subjects and verbs in the sentences within that paragraph in order to see that writers pay careful attention to subject-verb agreement, even when a word, phrase, or clause intervenes between the subject and the verb. In your own writing, check to see that your subjects and verbs agree in number.
意思为:“阅读时,选择一个段落,识别句中的主语谓语,以便观察即使主谓之间出现词语、短语或句子作为插入语,作者都十分注意主谓一致性。写作时,确保主谓在数量上达成一致。”
主谓一致原则并不难,但是学生经常犯错,就是因为主谓之间出现插入成分, 包括“同位语、后置定语、定语从句、插入语”。只要掌握原理S,...,V... 的原理即可了。此考点每年均有题目,且不止一个,需要加强注意。
如2010 年10 月,考到如下题目:
The visual quality of the silent movies produced (A) during (B) the 1920s were (C) often extremely (D) high. No error (E).
此题主语为the visual quality of the silent movies (produced during the 1920s), 括号里面为后置定语,一定要注意这里面的produced 形式为过去分词,不是过去式,而主语主干为the visual quality,是单数,所以谓语动词也应该是单数,把C 选项的were 改为was, 符合“S,...,V...”结构。
*2、Manage grammatical structures used to modify or compare 使用语法结构做修饰或比较
*(1)In your reading, choose a paragraph and identify the adjectives and adverbs in the sentences
and the words they modify. In your own writing, check to see that your adjectives are used to modify nouns and that your adverbs are used to modify verbs.
意思为:“阅读时,选择一个段落,指出句中的形容词、副词以及它们修饰的词。写作时,确保形容词用来修饰名词,副词用来修饰动词。”
此考点考察形容词、副词的修饰关系,注意形容词修饰名词,副词修饰动词、形容词、其他副词等。常见错误是该用副词修饰的,用成了形容词。一般每次考试会考一至两道题。如2011 年10 月真题中,考到如下题目:
Production delays were notoriously(A) difficult obstacles to overcome(B)until the company adopted(C) new computer technology that works more effective (D) than the old technology. No error.(E)
根据副词修饰动词的原则,D 选项中修饰动词work 的应该是副词effectively, 即使有比较级more,也不应该少了-ly,所以改为more effectively。
*(2)In your reading, focus on sentences that contain comparative phrases (e.g., "as strong as" or "more fit than"). In your own writing, check to see that you use appropriate structures to compare things and ideas.
意思为:“阅读时,注意包含比较性短语的句子(比如“asstrong as” 或 “more fit than”)。写作时,确保正确使用结构来比较事物及观点。”
此考点考察形容词、副词的比较级、最高级等,考生需要注意比较范围为两者还是两者以上选用比较级、还是最高级;是否出现双重比较,如more easier 类似的错误;注意比较结构的可比性,避免出现人和物比较的现象,经常会出现that of / those of 结构,避免不可比。如2010 年5 月真题中,考到如下题目:#p#分页标题#e#
In some species of birds, such as the peafowl, the plumage of the male is more colorful and more
variegated than the female.
A. than the female
B. than are the females
C. than that of the female
D. compared to the female
E. compared with the females
首先,确定比较的是the plumage of the male 和the plumage of the female,所以答案中than 后面不能直接加the female,而避免重复,我们可以用that代替the plumage,所以答案为C。
*(3) In your reading, pay attention to the placement of modifying words, phrases, and clauses. In your own writing, check to see that you use modifiers appropriately.
意思为:“阅读时,注意修饰词、短语及从句的位置。写作时,确保正确使用修饰语。”
此考点注意修饰语尽量就近修饰,不要离修饰的词较远而造成歧义。比如定语从句和后置定语在所修饰词后面,而形容词大部分情况在所修饰词的前面,以及某些修饰语短语在句中的位置。如2009 年1 月真题the soccer ball in a dark corner we used to play with 中“we used to play with” 放在了corner 位置,造成歧义。
*3、Manage phrases and clauses in a sentence在句中使用短语和从句
*In your reading, choose a paragraph from a more difficult piece of nonfiction prose that contains complex syntactical structures. In your own writing, attempt to employ more sophisticated syntactical structures when appropriate.
意思为:“阅读时,从包含复杂句法结构的纪实性散文这类更难读懂的文章中选择段落阅读。写作时,适当时候尝试运用更复杂的句法结构。”
希望大家平时多分析长难句、倒装句、强调句型等复杂结构。
三、分数区间600-690
下面进入到600-690 分数段,同样道理,掌握好400-490 以及500-590 分数段的相关技能,再按照600-690
分数段提分建议学习。
官方给出的建议为:
*Manage phrases and clauses in a sentence 在句中使用短语和从句
*(1)In your reading, examine texts that contain sophisticated and difficult sentence structures. In your own writing, develop sophisticated techniques for developing your ideas in multiple ways.
意思为:“阅读时,仔细阅读包含复杂难读句子结构的内容。写作时,尝试运用更加复杂的句法来多角度表达观点。”
*(2)In your reading, learn to recognize that subjectverb agreement is not confined to the main clause of a sentence but may occur in embedded subordinate clauses at any point in the sentence. In your own writing, learn to use complex sentences that may embed important ideas in embedded subordinate clauses.
意思为:“阅读时,学着体会主谓一致性并不局限于句子的主句,在句子的任何地方嵌入的从句同样适用。写作时,学会使用复合句,嵌入从句来表达重要观点。”
注意在写作和语法中要保证主句主谓一致、从句主谓也要一致,这是同学们经常忽略的地方。而且要注意复合句的引导词、时态以及语序。如2013 年1 月真题中,考到如下题目:
In 1936 mathematician Alan Turing proved that (A) a digital computer, which at the time exists only (B) in theory, could be programmed to perform (C) the function of any other(D)
information-processing device. No Error.(E)
主句的时态为过去时,而从句和主句时态一致,所以B 选项的exist 不但只注意了computer 为单数,而且没有忘记时态应为过去时,就会选择其他答案,应该改为existed。
四、分数区间700-800
这个分数区间College Board 并没有给出具体的提分建议,但是官方给出这样的建议,以提升学生的准确率以及获取高分的信心:
*When you reach this band of score, it means that you have already mastered SAT grammar quite well. Now what matters more is that whether you can pay attention to details and spare no effort to avoid every error. Be careful! Never should you underestimate every question and ignore a single choice. Recognize all the mistakes and traps. Furthermore, Have a scientific time management
and never hesitate on one question for an inappropriately long time. Mark the difficult problems and review then when you have time. Do believe you can make 800!
意思为:“当你达到700-800 这个分数段时,意味着你已经较好地掌握了SAT 语法。现在更重要的是你是否能够更加关注细节,并且不遗余力地避免失误。一定要细心!绝对不要低估任何一道题或者忽略任何一个选项。识别所有的错误和陷阱。另外,要有一个科学的时间管理,不要在一道题目上浪费太多的时间。标出比较难的题目,在有时间检查的时候再回来思考。一定要相信你可以拿800 分!”#p#分页标题#e#
对于这个分数段的学生,基本知识点已经不成太大问题,需要注意的就是一些比较琐碎的知识点,能够有效看出句中错误或者能够判定句子没错,从而提高做题准确率。只要把题目的类型分清楚、所需的技能通过练习全部掌握,多复习一些固定搭配、强调句型、形式主语等复杂结构,相信每一位同学都是有潜力拿到700+ 以上的高分的!
以上就是我们对SAT Skills Insight 的解读,希望同学们结合这些分析,认真复习OG,历年真题,OC 等题目,同时考生需要定期分析自己的错题,把难题、固定搭配以及No error 题目作为复习重点,结合使用SAT 语法练习手册,提高自己的准确率。(文中加注 * 的内容取自College Board 发布的官方文件 SAT Skills Insight。)