[写]新托福写作综合训练
经过一年多的摸索，目前对新托福考试的很多理解和看法基本定形。本文通过综合多个权威信息渠道的信息(Official Guide，Teacher’s Guide，Propell Workshop Manual，以及ETS高级专员Susan Hines的讲解和对本人私下提问的回答等)，试图为大家揭开新托福写作众多关键问题的答案。
本文分为三个部分：其中Independent Writing Task 9个问题，Integrated Writing Task 6个问题，以及牵涉全局写作的3个问题。
Independent Task
Q: Independent Writing Task有没有题库？
A: 没有，但是可以借鉴TWE的题库。
"You will see topics very similar to these [TWE Topics] on the TOEFL iBT." [OG, P267]
Q: 准备Independent Writing Task需不需要专业知识？
A: "None of the topics requires specialized knowledge. Most topics are general and are based on the common experience of people in general and students in particular." [OG, P267]
Q: 写作的时候，观点重不重要？
A: "It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the topic; the raters are trained to accept all varieties of opinions." [OG, P267]
"I think test takers had better simply pick one side rather than straddle the fence." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
"Creativity is not necessary." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 是否可以通过增加深刻的逻辑和复杂的例子来掩盖或者弥补语言能力的不足？
A: 不可以。
"If your language is hard to follow, your sentences are overly simple, and your vocabulary is limited, you may score no higher than 3 no matter how impressive your ideas may be." [OG, P260]
而且从例子的选择上讲，并不要求使用庞大、复杂的例子，尽管这些例子可能论证力更强。个人经历就是一种很好写的例子。阅卷人并不依据论据的复杂性来看文章。
"Personal experiences are common." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 可不可以使用前人的模板(templates)来写作？
A: 那要看你怎么定义"模板"这个词。如果"模板"指的是段落结构和文章结构，那没有任何问题，比如"五段式结构"可能会一直是TOEFL文章最好的写法。但如果"模板"是指背下来的，可以不加思考就可以套到任何题目上的段落内容，那就千万不要这样做。
Do not "memorize" long introductory and concluding paragraphs just to add words to your essay. Raters will not look favorably on wordy introductory and concluding paragraphs such as the following:
"The importance of the issue raised by the posed statement, namely creating a new holiday for people, cannot be underestimated as it concerns the very fabric of society. As it stands, the issue of creating a new holiday raises profound implications for the future. However, although the subject matter in general cannot be dismissed lightheartedly, the perspective of the issue as presented by the statement raises certain qualms regarding practical application."
"In conclusion, although I have accept that it is imperative that something be done about creating a new holiday for people and find the underlying thrust of the implied proposal utterly convincing, I cannot help but feel wary of taking such irrevocable steps and personally feel that a more measured approach would be more rewarding."
Likewise, raters will not look favorably on paragraphs like the following, which uses a lot of words but fail to develop any real ideas:
"At the heart of any discussion regarding an issue pertaining to creating a new holiday, it has to borne in mind that a delicate line has to be trod when dealing with such matters. The human resources involved in such matters cannot be guaranteed regardless of all the good intentions that may be lavished. While it is true that creating a new holiday might be a viable and laudable remedy, it is transparently clear that applied wrongly such a course of action could be calamitous and compound the problem rather than provide a solution." [OG, P259]
"I think you could use it as long as it is on topic." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 阅卷人最主要看重文章的哪些方面？
A: Your ability
to respond directly to the question;
to take a clear position; and
to write an essay characterized by (1) good organization, (2) proper use of supporting examples, (3) sentence variety, and (4) correct sentence structures.
[Workshop Manual, P26]
Q: 5分和4分最大的区别在哪里？
A: "Those that receive a score of 4 also have clear, well-written essays, but there are more flaws and the ideas are less developed." [Teacher's Manual]
Q: 词汇和句式是不是越复杂越好？
A: 词汇和句式需要一定的复杂性。
"Raters will also judge your essay based on the complexity of sentence structures and on the quality and complexity of your vocabulary. If you use very simple sentences and very basic vocabulary, you will probably not be able to express very complex ideas." [OG, P260]
但是，不是越复杂越好。
就词汇而言，关键是表达的准确性。请参看OG第287页的满分范文1，评语中有这样一句话：The writer does not use high-level vocabulary, but word choice is correct throughout.同时请参看Workbook第57页的范文，同样没有big words，也是满分。
就句式而言，关键是表意准确、流畅且能够变化。但为了达到变化或者准确表达复杂意思的目标，出现一些复杂的句式是很正常的。但一味追求复杂是没有意义的。
Q: 文字是不是越正式(formal)越好？
A: 不是。Independent Writing Task并不偏好formal expressions。只要能把意思表达清楚，并把问题回答好了，就行了。参见OG第288页满分范文2，评语中这样写道：the writer consistently demonstrates command of language and English idioms, especially by using various informal expressions ("Let's assume," "we would all agree," "can make or beak," "come in very handy").