葛余健
摘 ? ?要:“七選五”閱讀是讓學(xué)生感到棘手的題型,其主要原因是學(xué)生缺少必要的語篇知識,特別是對英語語篇的銜接手段不太熟悉。韓禮德的銜接理論將銜接概念系統(tǒng)化分類為指稱、替代、省略、連接等語法銜接和詞匯銜接,以此為指導(dǎo)分析“七選五”閱讀在命題中顯示的銜接特征,可以為教和學(xué)提供一定的借鑒。
關(guān)鍵詞:“七選五”閱讀命題;銜接理論;高中英語
“七選五”閱讀是高考英語閱讀中學(xué)生覺得比較難、比較容易失分的題型。在《普通高中英語課程標準(2017年版2020年修訂)》(以下簡稱“《高中課標》”)中,它被稱為“句子還原題”[1]。這一題型要求考生在一篇留有5個空白、約300詞的短文中,根據(jù)語篇結(jié)構(gòu)、文本內(nèi)容,從所給的7個選項中選出最佳選項,并填入相應(yīng)的空白處,使補全后的短文意思通順、前后連貫。它主要考查學(xué)生的閱讀理解能力、上下文銜接推斷能力,要求學(xué)生特別關(guān)注“前言”和“后語”之間的銜接關(guān)系。本文以韓禮德的銜接理論為指導(dǎo)分析“七選五”閱讀在命題中顯示的銜接特征,以期為教和學(xué)提供一定的借鑒。
1976年,韓禮德和哈桑出版了《英語的銜接》一書,標志著銜接理論的建立。該書認為,“銜接是語言系統(tǒng)中語篇組織成分的一部分,是通過使語篇中的一個成分的意義解釋依賴于另一個成分,把結(jié)構(gòu)上沒有關(guān)系的成分互相連接起來的一種手段”[2]。銜接是有形的,體現(xiàn)在語篇的表層結(jié)構(gòu)上,我們“可以在語篇中找到它”[3]。該書把銜接概念系統(tǒng)化分類為指稱、替代、省略、連接等語法銜接和詞匯銜接。下面,筆者結(jié)合具體的試題進行分析。
一、語法銜接
(一)指稱
指稱是一種語義關(guān)系,通常有三種類型:人稱指稱、指示指稱和比較指稱。人稱指稱是運用話語情境中的功能通過人稱類別表現(xiàn)的指稱,如he、they、it、him、our、theirs等。指示指稱是運用在遠近程度上的不同位置表現(xiàn)的指稱,如this、that、these、those、here、there、now、then等。比較指稱是運用相同或相似性表現(xiàn)的間接指稱,如same、similar、other、different、so、such、otherwise、equally、more、less等。指稱在“七選五”閱讀命題中應(yīng)用廣泛,特別是人稱指稱和指示指稱。
1.人稱指稱
例1 ? ?(2021年高考全國乙卷)And what about that other dinner-party killer: awkward silence? If youre faced with an awkward silence at a dinner party, the only thing that always gets everyone talking again is to give the host a compliment (贊揚). ? 40 ? Just quickly turn around and say, “This cake is extremely delicious and you have to tell me all about it.”
此題使用了人稱指稱,指人。40空的前文提到the host,選項“G. He or she is the person who is feeling the weight of that awkwardness the most.”中的he or she 和下文中的you都是指代the host,形成了照應(yīng),使兩句連貫起來。
例2 ? ?(2022年高考全國甲卷)The way you handle chopsticks is important to avoid annoying your companions. When you put them down between bites, always put them down together so they are parallel with the edge of the table in front of you. ? 37 ?.
此題使用了人稱指稱,指物。語段講述的是筷子的使用規(guī)則。第一句告誡如何使用筷子很重要,接著指出如何使用筷子。為避免重復(fù),下文一直使用人稱代詞them或者they指代筷子,形成照應(yīng)。所以不難發(fā)現(xiàn)答案是“F. Never stick them upright in your food or cross them as you use them.”。
例3 ? ?(2021年高考全國乙卷)People love to talk about themselves. If you can start the conversation with a question other than “What do you do for a living?”, youll be able to get a lot more interesting conversation out of whomever it is youre talking to. ? 37 ?, it can bring in “I have this old, broken-down vehicle” or “I rode the bus with these crazy people who were laughing at silly jokes in the back.” It just opens up conversation.
此題使用了it這個人稱指稱。37空后的代詞it指代前面提出的問題,根據(jù)下文可知是對“你過來的方式”進行提問,所以不難發(fā)現(xiàn)此題的正確選項是“C. If you ask the question ‘How did you get here?”。
2.指示指稱
例4 ? ?(2023年1月高考浙江卷)Plan ahead. Most long-distance trains, especially the sleeping car accommodations, sell out very quickly. ? 36 ? But no matter when you travel, its a good idea to make your reservations at least 90 days in advance.
此題中使用了that這個指示指稱。that回指前文“Most long-distance trains, especially the sleeping car accommodations, sell out very quickly.”, 所以選擇“D. Thats particularly true during busy summer months.”。
例5 ? ?(2021年新高考全國Ⅱ卷)If the only reading you ever do is the novel or magazine, the speed at which you read probably does not matter very much. But if you have to read a great deal for study, you will appreciate the benefits of being able to read more quickly. ? 16 ?.
Before you open the book, make sure that you are comfortable ...
此題中使用了here這個指示指稱來起銜接作用。下文具體給出了改善閱讀速度的建議,所以選擇“D. Here are some tips to help improve your reading speed.”。
例6 ?(2020年1月高考浙江卷) ? 34 ? On this day every year, countries around the world hold events to educate people about the problems of dirty water and that clean water is something that everyone should have around the world. At one school in the UK, children between the ages of 10 and 15 walk 6 km with six litres of water. ? 35 ? People give them money to do this and all the money helps get clean water to as many people as possible around the world.
此題中兩個空格都使用了指示指稱的銜接方式。34空后的on this day指代的是選項“F. In 1993 the United Nations decided that March 22nd is the World Day for Water.”中的March 22nd,而選項“G. In this way, they know how it feels to walk a long distance carrying heavy bottles.”中的in this way指代的是35空前文中的“10~15歲的學(xué)生帶著6升水走6公里”這件事。
3.比較指稱
例7 ? ?(2022年新高考全國I卷)My partner posted her request on the notice board of a local park. Her notice included what kind of training she wanted to do, how many days a week and how many hours she wanted to spend on each session, and her age. It also listed her favorite sports and activities, and provided her phone number. ? 39
此題使用了比較指稱中的一般比較。一般比較指的是相似和不相似方面的比較,即比較雙方可以相同、相似和不同。39空前提到了“我”的搭檔在當(dāng)?shù)毓珗@張貼的告示里面所包含的內(nèi)容,這樣很容易得出答案是“G. Any notice for a training partner should include such information.”。
例8 ? ?(2021年高考全國甲卷)A successful swap depends on the selection of clothes, the organization of the event, and, obviously, how much fun it had. Its really easy to do! Here are a few pointers.
· Invite 5-10 people so you have a nice selection. ? 17 ?, and there may not be enough things to choose from; more than that, and it becomes uncontrollable.
此題使用了比較指稱,屬于特殊比較。特殊比較指的是量或質(zhì)方面的比較,此題是量方面的比較。前文提出邀請5~10人參加交換會,以便有較好的選擇。下文指出:少于這個數(shù)量,可能選擇的量會比較少;多于這個數(shù)量,則可能變得不可控制。所以正確選項是“A. Less than that”。
例9 ? ?(2021年6月高考浙江卷)As cool as it may be to receive a postcard written in Chinese, the concept doesnt work if one doesnt understand it. ? 34 ? So a common language is required and in postcrossing thats English since its widely spoken.
此題使用了比較指稱,屬于相似比較,比較詞是similarly。前文說到:收到一張中文明信片雖然很酷,但如果人們不懂中文也就不明白明信片中的信息;同樣,如果你只會說中文,收到一張瑞典語的明信片也會感覺意趣不大。所以正確選項是“F. Similarly, if you speak only Chinese, receiving a card in Swedish takes part of the fun away.”。
(二)替代
替代是一種語法關(guān)系,是詞與詞之間的關(guān)系而不是意義之間的關(guān)系。替代通常有:名詞性替代,如用one、ones、the same等替代名詞;動詞性替代,如do,既可以替代動詞,也可以在小句中替代動詞加上某些其他的成分;小句替代,被用作替代的詞通常是so和not。
1.名詞性替代
例10 ? ?(2017年高考全國I卷)The friends who introduced me to camping thought that it meant to be a pioneer. ? 37 ? We slept in a tent, cooked over an open fire, and walked a long distance to take the shower and use the bathroom. This brief visit with Mother Nature cost me two days off from work, recovering from a bad case of sunburn and the doctors bill for my sons food poisoning.
此題使用了名詞性替代,“C. The trip they took me on was a rough one.”為正確答案,其中的代詞one替代名詞trip。a rough trip跟下文中描述的內(nèi)容相一致。
2.動詞性替代
動詞性替代在高考“七選五”閱讀中使用較少,但也存在。
例11 ? ?(2020年新高考全國I卷)People want to listen to someone who is interesting, relaxed and comfortable. Too often when you stand up to give a speech, you focus on the “public” at the expense of the “speaking.” ? 17 ? Focus on the speaking. Talk directly to your audience, be yourself and make a connection.
此題使用了動詞性替代。17空的前句指出了演講中存在的問題:Too often when you stand up to give a speech, you focus on the “public” at the expense of the “speaking.”,而下文建議focus on the speaking,所以正確答案是“A. Do the opposite.”。do the opposite替代focus on the speaking。
3.小句替代
例12 ? ?(2017年高考全國Ⅱ卷)If you have a door to your office, make good use of it. ? 40 ?. If someone knocks and its not an important matter, excuse yourself and let the person know youre busy so they can get the hint (暗示) that when the door is closed, youre not to be disturbed.
此題使用了小句替代中的否定形式not。前文提到如果你的辦公室有門,要充分利用好它。所以40空應(yīng)該是具體的利用方法。選項“G. Leave it open when youre available to talk and close it when youre not.”中的not替代的是not available to talk。
例13 ? ?(2021年八省適應(yīng)性演練)Any seasoned language learner will tell you that the beauty of mastering a foreign language is the world which it opens up to you. This is a world of diverse sources (來源) of information, from newspapers and books to TV, radio, music and even real people. Would you limit yourself to one medium in your native language? ? 37
此題使用了小句替代中的肯定形式so。37空前提出了問題,所以37空應(yīng)該作出回答,因此正確選項是“E. Probably not, so why do so in your new language?”。短語do so替代的是limit yourself to one medium。
(三)省略
省略是一種“零替代”,指的是在某個結(jié)構(gòu)上是必需的成分,但在語境中被省略、沒有明確表達出來。和替代一樣,省略通常有名詞性省略、動詞性省略和小句性省略。
例14 ? ?(2016年高考全國Ⅲ卷)There are many common methods used to cook fish. ? 40 ? First, clean it and season it with your choice of spices (調(diào)料). Put the whole fish on a plate and steam it in a steam pot for 8 to 10 minutes if it weighs about one pound. (A larger one will take more time.) Then, its ready to serve.
此題使用了省略。40空的前文提到有很多常見的烹調(diào)魚的方法,40空后具體介紹了烹調(diào)步驟。所以第40空的正確選項是“B. The easiest is to steam it.”。the easiest后省略了名詞method。
例15 ? ?(2022年新高考全國I卷)Fitness Magazine recently ran an article titled “Five Reasons to Thank Your Workout Partner”. One reason was: “Youll actually show up if you know someone is waiting for you at the gym,” while another read: “ ? 36 ? ” With a workout partner, you will increase your training effort as there is a subtle (微妙) competition.
此題也使用了省略。在這里,five reasons、one reason、another屬于詞匯銜接中的原詞復(fù)現(xiàn),其中another后省略了名詞reason,所以36空是another (reason)的具體內(nèi)容“Youll work harder if you work with someone else.”。
(四)連接
連接是一種語法銜接,其連接成分本身沒有銜接意義,但連接成分具有特定的意義,在話語中表達了某些意義,間接地具有銜接作用。常見的連接類型有四種范疇:增補關(guān)系,轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系,因果關(guān)系和時間關(guān)系。增補關(guān)系的連接詞常有and、or、nor、in addition、besides、that is、likewise、similarly、on the other hand、by contrast等;轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系的連接詞常有however、nevertheless、in fact、instead、rather、on the contrary等;因果關(guān)系的連接詞常有so、then、therefore、on account of、as a result、in consequence、under the circumstances、in that case、that being so等;時間關(guān)系的連接詞常有then、next、after that、at the same time、at first、in the end、finally等。
1.增補關(guān)系
例16 ? ?(2021年高考全國乙卷)What about that person who has had too much to drink or wont stop talking? If you cant take their wine away, you should certainly try to take away their soapbox (講臺). If youre the host, you can ask them to help you in the kitchen with something and just remove them from the situation. ? 39
此題使用了連接中的增補關(guān)系,使用了連接詞or。39空的前文針對“喝多了酒,不能自控、說個不停的客人”,提出了解決辦法,要么請這些人到廚房幫忙,要么改變話題,所以正確答案是“E. Or turn the conversation into a topic where they have little to say.”,即提供了另外一種解決辦法。
例17 ? ?(2019年6月高考浙江卷)After they were given an invitation to appear live on BBC, the Beatles quickly became famous in Britain with nationwide tours. By mid-1963, the Beatles had been extremely popular in England. ? 32 ? They held large concerts and performed at clubs ...
此題屬于增補關(guān)系中的例證關(guān)系。32空前文說到“到1963年中期,甲殼蟲樂隊在英國已經(jīng)非常受歡迎了”,很明顯32空是他們受歡迎的具體例證,所以選“B. Even their hairstyles became major trends at that time. ”。
2.轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系
例18 ? ?(2020年新高考全國I卷)Some individuals are born with a gift for public speaking.
16 ? Do you want to be a good public speaker? Here are some principles you must master.
此題使用了連接中的轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系。段首句指出有人生來就有公開演講的天賦,而大部分人是怎樣的情況呢?文中some individuals與16空中的the majority of people形成對比,所以正確選項是“G. However, the majority of people are effective speakers because they train to be.”。連接詞however表示轉(zhuǎn)折關(guān)系。
3.因果關(guān)系
例19 ? ?(2020年7月高考浙江卷)My mother also encouraged me to make what I wanted. I tried making toy cars with cardboard boxes and constructing buildings from leftover cardboard and bits of wood my father gave me. When my mother saw my creations, she told me how creative my designs were. ? 34 ? I learned a lot about how to extend the life of objects and transform them into something new and useful. It was a trait (特點) others found helpful, and I soon had friends who wanted to make things with me.
此題使用了連接中的因果關(guān)系。34空的前文說“媽媽看到我的作品,總是表揚我的設(shè)計很有創(chuàng)意”,所以可推斷出34空是媽媽表揚的結(jié)果,因此正確選項是“F. Thus, I began my lifelong interest in making things.”。thus是副詞,表結(jié)果。
4.時間關(guān)系
例20 ? ?(2021 年高考全國乙卷)According to Jessica Hagy, author of How to Be Interesting, its not difficult to make yourself interesting at a dinner party.
36 ?, if youre out of your comfort zone or if youre wandering into somebodys house for the first time. So the main thing is just to show up and be adventurous, trying different foods and talking to strangers.
此題使用了連接中的時間關(guān)系,表順序。這個語篇是總分關(guān)系,第一段指出“在晚宴上使自己有趣并不難”,接下來每一段提供了一種方法,所以36空的正確選項是“B. The first step is to go exploring”。
例21 ? ?(2017年高考全國I卷)I was, nevertheless, talked into going on another fun-filled holiday in the wilderness. This time there was no tent. Instead, we had a pop-up camper with comfortable beds and an air conditioner. My nature-loving friends had remembered to bring all the necessities of life.
39 ? We have done a lot of it since. Recently, we bought a twenty-eight-foot travel trailer complete with a bathroom and a built-in TV set. There is a separate bedroom, a modern kitchen with a refrigerator. The trailer even has matching carpet and curtains.
此題使用了時間關(guān)系中的順序關(guān)系。39空前文提到“我的這次露營活動非常成功”,39空后指出“我們從那時起就進行了很多次的露營活動”,可知在這次露營后,“我”家人對露營感興趣了,因此正確選項是“F. After the trip, my family became quite interested in camping.”。after the trip交代了時間順序。
二、詞匯銜接
除了語法銜接外,英語中還通過詞匯的選擇來取得語篇銜接的效果。詞匯銜接包括兩個不同但相互關(guān)聯(lián)的方面,即詞匯復(fù)現(xiàn)和詞匯搭配。詞匯復(fù)現(xiàn)常體現(xiàn)為原詞復(fù)現(xiàn)、同義詞(或近義詞)復(fù)現(xiàn)、反義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)、上下義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)等。詞匯搭配指詞匯之間的相互預(yù)測性,即某一個詞匯與另一個詞匯相互關(guān)聯(lián),它們趨向于出現(xiàn)在相同的詞匯環(huán)境中,如boy vs. girl、stand up vs. sit down、crowded vs. deserted、order vs. obey、hair vs. comb、curl vs. wave等。
(一)詞匯復(fù)現(xiàn)
1.原詞復(fù)現(xiàn)
例22 ? ?(2020年高考全國Ⅲ卷)A housewarming party is a special party to be held when someone buys or moves into a new apartment or house. The person who bought the house or moved is the one who throws the party. The party is a chance for friends and family to congratulate the person on the new home. ? 36 ? And it is a good time to fill the new space with love and hopefully presents.
此題使用了原詞復(fù)現(xiàn)。36空前提到“The party is a chance for friends and family to congratulate the person on the new home.”,下文使用also在邏輯上構(gòu)成增補關(guān)系,同時使用a chance構(gòu)成原詞復(fù)現(xiàn),所以正確選項是“E. It also gives people a chance to see what the new home looks like.”。
2.同義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)
例23 ? ?(2022年新高考全國I卷)You and your partner will probably have different skills.
40 ? Over time, both of you will benefit — your partner will be able to lift more weights and you will become more physically fit. The core (核心) of your relationship is that you will always be there to help each other.
此題中,40空之前提到different skills,與選項“F. Just accept your differences and learn to work with each other.”中的differences構(gòu)成了同義復(fù)現(xiàn)。
例24 ? ?(2019年高考全國Ⅱ卷)Another way of setting realistic goals is to analyze your short and long term objectives, keeping in mind your beliefs, values and strengths. Remember that goals are flexible. ? 39 ? They also need to be measurable. You must keep these points in mind while setting your goals.
此題39空中的flexible與選項“E. They can change according to circumstances.”中的change構(gòu)成了同義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)。
3.反義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)
例25 ? ?(2020年新高考I卷)Even the most successful public speaker will make mistakes. Yet, the only one who cares about any mistake is the one who is speaking. Peoples attention wanders constantly. In fact, most people only absorb about 20 percent of a speakers message. So, dont stop speaking when you make a mistake unless its a truly serious one. ? 18
此題使用了反義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)。18空的前文中的serious one使用了名詞替代,one替代mistakes,serious和下文中的minor是反義詞,所以“C. You don t need to apologize for a minor slip.”是正確答案。另外,文中的slip和mistake是同義詞。
4.上下義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)
例26 ? ?(2021年新高考全國I卷)The place wasnt entirely authentic, though. Unlike a normal Parisian apartment, the plumbing (水管) worked. ? 37 ? Our building even had a tiny lift with a female voice that said, “Ouverture des portes,”in perfect French. That is the only French phrase I mastered, and its a shame I dont have much use for it.
此題使用了上下義詞復(fù)現(xiàn)。文中的the place、apartment、building屬于同一概念,是上義詞,而plumbing、kitchen、bed是建筑物內(nèi)的物品,屬于下義詞,所以正確選項是“C. There was a nice kitchen and a comfortable bed.”。
(二)詞匯搭配
例27 ? ?(2020年高考全國Ⅱ卷)Written communications can often read as cold and dull. Using emojis can add humor and feeling, keeping intention clear. ? 37 ?, encouraging better and more frequent communication.
此題考查的選項是非完整句子,涉及語境中的詞匯搭配。根據(jù)下文encouraging better and more frequent communication講的是使用emojis的好處,可知正確選項為“A. Messages with emojis feel more conversational”。
例28 ? ?(2021年新高考全國Ⅱ卷)Always keep a pencil and paper beside you. ? 20 ? Note also the facts important for your purpose as well as anything which leads you to further research. You dont have to write these things in detail. It is enough to put the page number and one or two words as a reminder.
此題同樣考查詞匯搭配。文中段首句給出建議“手邊要一直放好紙和筆”,跟紙和筆一起構(gòu)成的語義網(wǎng)是用紙和筆隨時記載一些重要的東西,常見的搭配關(guān)系是note down、write down、make a note of等,所以選項“E. Make a note of any page which is of special importance.”是正確答案。
綜上所述,考生要想做好高考“七選五”閱讀題,必須在單位時間內(nèi)讀懂語篇的語義、厘清語篇上下文的銜接關(guān)系,即所給語篇中句與句、段與段之間的邏輯關(guān)系。當(dāng)然,辨明選項間的差異,排除掉干擾選項也十分重要?;诖?,在教學(xué)中,教師如果熟悉銜接理論并能在語篇教學(xué)中按照銜接理論的類型進行微專題式講練,對提升學(xué)生語篇銜接的敏感度,提高學(xué)生對語篇行文邏輯關(guān)系的分析能力、判斷能力是非常有益的。學(xué)生在教師的指導(dǎo)下有意識地用銜接理論來分析語篇,可以更好地理解文本的核心語義和篇章結(jié)構(gòu)、把握作者的寫作意圖,提升閱讀速度和理解能力。如此,“七選五”閱讀題的解答也就游刃有余了。
參考文獻:
[1]中華人民共和國教育部.普通高中英語課程標準(2017年版2020年修訂)[S].北京:人民教育出版社,2020:105.
[2][3]韓禮德,哈桑.英語的銜接[M].張德祿,王鈺純,韓玉萍,等譯.北京:外語教學(xué)與研究出版社,2007:23,7.