蔡遠(yuǎn)輝 王喜建
【摘要】介紹了英國高中課程數(shù)學(xué)科目的考試要求及其重要性,列舉了數(shù)學(xué)科目四個單元(含純數(shù)學(xué)1、純數(shù)學(xué)3、力學(xué)1和概率與統(tǒng)計學(xué)1)的考試內(nèi)容,分析了2014年夏季數(shù)學(xué)考試部分真題的關(guān)鍵英語詞句,總結(jié)了數(shù)學(xué)考試常用的專業(yè)英語詞匯,最后對準(zhǔn)備留學(xué)英聯(lián)邦國家需要具備的英語素質(zhì)提出幾點建議。
【關(guān)鍵詞】英國高中課程 數(shù)學(xué)專業(yè)英語 留學(xué) 英語素質(zhì)
【Abstract】The paper introduces test requirements and the importance of the subject mathematics of the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level,lists four units (pure mathematics 1,pure mathematics 3,Mechanics 1 and probability and statistics 1) content of the examination,analyzes the English keywords in the summer of 2014 mathematics examinations,summarizes the common English vocabulary in the mathematics examinations,and finally put forward some suggestions about the English requirements to prepare going abroad foreign Common wealth countries.
【Keywords】General Certificate of Education Advanced Level; Mathematical English Vocabularies; Going abroad; English qualities
一、背景介紹
英國高中課程(General Certificate of Education Advanced Level)簡稱A-level課程,A-level課程證書被幾乎所有英語授課的大學(xué)作為招收新生的入學(xué)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。目前為止,國內(nèi)比較有影響力的A-level學(xué)校有深圳國際交流學(xué)院、華南師范大學(xué)國際預(yù)科中心和上海師范大學(xué)劍橋國際中心等。通常,留學(xué)英聯(lián)邦國家的大學(xué)只需要提供三門A-level的成績和雅思考試的成績。而A-level課程體系中數(shù)學(xué)可選修兩門。中國高中生的數(shù)學(xué)能力普遍比西方學(xué)生強,因此選擇A-level數(shù)學(xué)就意味著一只腳已踏入了世界一流大學(xué)之門。
二、A-level數(shù)學(xué)考試
A-level數(shù)學(xué)科目考試代號為9709,包含四個單元:純數(shù)學(xué)(Pure Mathematics)1、純數(shù)學(xué)(Pure Mathematics)3、力學(xué)(Mechanics)1和概率與統(tǒng)計學(xué)(Probability and Statistics)1。這一部分先介紹每個單元的考試內(nèi)容,然后分析2014年夏季的部分考試真題,最后列出數(shù)學(xué)考試常用的專業(yè)英語詞匯。
1.單元考試內(nèi)容。純數(shù)學(xué)(Pure Mathematics)1包含:二次方程(Quadratics)、函數(shù)(Functions)、坐標(biāo)幾何(Coordinate geometry)、弧度制(Circular measure)、三角函數(shù)(Trigonometry)、向量(Vectors)、數(shù)列(Series)、導(dǎo)數(shù)(Differentiation)和積分(Integration);純數(shù)學(xué)(Pure Mathematics)3包含:代數(shù)(Algebra)、對數(shù)函數(shù)與指數(shù)函數(shù)(Logarithmic and exponential functions)、方程的數(shù)值解(Numerical solution of equations)、微分方程(Differential equations)和復(fù)數(shù)(Complex numbers);力學(xué)(Mechanics)1包含:力與平衡(Forces and equilibrium)、直線運動學(xué)(Kinematics of motion in a straight line)、牛頓運動定律(Newtons laws of motion)和能量、做功與功率(Energy,work and power);概率與統(tǒng)計學(xué)(Probability and Statistics)1包含:數(shù)據(jù)表示(Representation of data)、置換與組合(Permutations and combinations)、概率(Probability)、離散隨機變量(Discrete random variables)和正態(tài)分布(The normal distribution)。
2.數(shù)學(xué)2014年夏季部分真題分析。
Example 1(S14_9709_qp_13) A function f is such thatfor 0≤x≤6.
(i)Find an expression for f '(x) and use your result to explain why f has an inverse.
(ii)Find an expression for f -1(x),and state the domain and range of f -1.
中國考生多數(shù)在回答第一問存在困難。這并不是要求從語言上回答為什么 f 是可逆的,而是要通過f ' 的正負(fù)來判斷 f 的單調(diào)性,進而證明 f 是一個1-1映射。
Example 2(S14_9709_qp_33) The diagram shows the curve for ,and its maximum point M.
(i)Using the substitution ,find the exact value of the area of the shaded region bounded by the curve and the axes.
(ii)Find the x-coordinate of M,giving your answer correct to 3 decimal places.
中國考生在第一問容易犯錯誤,利用計算器計算并給出帶小數(shù)點的結(jié)果。原因在于沒有理解題目的要求“Find an exact value”,這是要求“給出完全精確的答案”。
Example 3(S14_9709_qp_43) A smooth inclined plane of length 160cm is fixed with one end at a height of 40cm above the other end,which is on horizontal ground. Particles P and Q,of masses 0.76 kg and 0.49 kg respectively,are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string which passes over a small smooth pulley fixed at the top of the plane. Particle P is held at rest on the same line of greatest slope as the pulley and Q hangs vertically below the pulley at a height of 30 cm above the ground (see diagram). P is released from rest. It starts to move up the plane and does not reach the pulley. Find
(i)The acceleration of the particles and the tension in the string before Q reaches the ground,
(ii)The speed with which Q reaches the ground,
(iii)The total distance travelled by before it comes to instantaneous rest.
力學(xué)的考試題目普遍信息量大,不容易讀懂題意。尤其是第三問,難度在于 落地以后,所受的牽引力改變了,進而加速度也改變了。因此,理解幾處關(guān)鍵用語“released from rest”,“move up the plane and does not reach the pully”,“before it comes to instantaneous rest” 是求解這道題的關(guān)鍵。
Example 4(S14_9709_qp_63) Nine cards are numbered 1,2,2,3,3,4,6,6,6.
(i)All nine cards are placed in a line,making a 9-digit number. Find how many different 9-digit numbers can be made in this way
(a)If the even digits are all together,
(b)If the first and last digits are both odd.
(ii)Three of the nine cards are chosen and placed in a line,making a 3-digit number. Find how many different numbers can be made in this way
(a)If there are no repeated digits,
(b)If the number is between 200 and 300.
這道題涉及排列組合的專業(yè)術(shù)語,考生必須對相關(guān)的專業(yè)名詞用語熟練掌握,比如“the even digits are all together”,“the first and last digits are both odd”,“three of the nine cards are chosen”.
3 常用的數(shù)學(xué)專業(yè)英語詞匯[1-4]
數(shù)學(xué)考試專業(yè)英語常用詞匯
a light inextensible string equilibrium pulley
acceleration exclusive events quadratic inequalities
addition expectation quadratic polynomial
angle force quotient
arc length frictional component radian
Argand diagram geometric progression range
argument gradient real part
arithmetic progression gravitational potential energy remainder
arrangement histograms scalar product
binomial distribution imaginary part sector area
box-and-whisker plots independent events standard deviation
chain rule integration stationary point
combination inverse function stem-and-leaf diagrams
composition of functions kinetic energy subtraction
conditional probabilities limiting equilibrium the factor theorem
conjugate limiting friction the interquartile range
contact force linear inequalities the normal distribution
continuous random variable median value the quartiles
convergence modulus the remainder theorem
conversation of energy multiplication trapezium rule
coordinate Newton's third law trigonometry
cumulative frequency graphs normal component unit vector
decomposition numerator variance
denominator one-one function vector
differentiation parallel velocity
discrete random variable permutation volume of revolution
discriminant perpendicular
displacement position vector
displacement vector probability
domain probability distribution table
三、出國留學(xué)英語素質(zhì)分析
近年來,留學(xué)英聯(lián)邦國家逐漸成為熱點。中國考生多數(shù)會選擇兩門數(shù)學(xué)和一門化學(xué)或者物理課程。由第二部分的總結(jié),我們更加應(yīng)該重視專業(yè)英語素質(zhì)的培養(yǎng),正確理解題意是正確解題的關(guān)鍵。和數(shù)學(xué)類似,考生可以總結(jié)化學(xué)和物理專業(yè)英語詞匯,幫助迅速讀懂題意。另外,就是雅思英語考試的準(zhǔn)備和文書(personnel statement)的寫作。如果能夠針對這幾方面努力準(zhǔn)備,定能成功留學(xué)英聯(lián)邦。
參考文獻:
[1]Neill H,Neill D Q A H,Quadling D.Pure Mathematics 1 (International)[M].Cambridge University Press,2002 Publisher Cambridge University Press,2002,2000.
[2]Neill H,Neill D Q A H,Quadling D.Pure Mathematics 2&3 (International)[M].Cambridge University Press,2002 Publisher Cambridge University Press,2002,2000.
[3]Quadling D A.Mechanics 1 (International)[M].Cambridge University Press,2002 Publisher Cambridge University Press,2002,2000.
[4]Steve Dobbs,Jane Miller Statistics 1 (International)[M].Cambridge University Press,2002 Publisher Cambridge University Press,2002,2000.
*本文由廣東省教育科研“十二五”規(guī)劃2013年度項目“2013JK175 推進高等教育內(nèi)涵式發(fā)展——以數(shù)學(xué)師范專業(yè)實踐環(huán)節(jié)創(chuàng)新機制的構(gòu)建為例”資助發(fā)表。