雅思口语考试中,第二部分主要分为people/places/events/objects四个类别,其中地点类的口语话题经常是考试的重点,出现频率颇为频繁,以最近几个月的考试为例,就考到了describe your ideal house/ describe a cafe/ describe a city you visited before/ describe a garden/ describe a crowded place 等。本文将以describe a cafe为例,详细分析雅思口语第二部分中地点类题型的答题技巧。
通过观察所有地点类题型的后,我们不难发现,所有题目的出题逻辑都是围绕5个“W”和一个 “H”展开的。他们分别是Where, When, Who, What (see, do), Why and How. 例如 describe a cafe这个题目,试题主要集中在询问考生what the cafe is; where it is; what it sells and explain why you like it
作为 Where这个元素,其实可以提前做好充分的准备,只要懂得灵活运用表示方位的词汇就好,例如 east/west of the city, in the heart of city, opposite to, on the other side of, only within a short walking distance, it is very easy to catch a cab or bus to, while on east and west are xxx and xxx neighborhoods(xxx处可用地点代替,如dormitory of international students of Nanjing University, tea houses, many western restaurants)等,当然east and west这样的方位词也可以根据实际情况加以替换,考生只要根据不同的话题进行套用以上句型就可以了。
When和Who主要是介绍建筑建造的年代和到访的人群,基本做个简单的回答就可以了,类似 It was established/ built/ finished in 一个年代就好,有很多考生纠结于建筑建造的确切年代, 其实这里说一个模糊的感念就可以了,例如1930s 或是couple years ago. 如果一个建筑的建造时间久远,还可以以The building has existed there since I was born 带过。在说When的时候还可以结合How often you visit this place? 一起回答,例如,pretty much every weekend, twice a month, every two days, grab a cup of coffee there almost everyday等。
在说What这个问题时,要从what you can see?和 what you can do?两方面去考虑。说一个建筑里能看见什么,无非是它的造型(shape,是不是有个distinctive shape),大小(size of a basketball court 或是 it covers an area of 90 square meters) 装潢(interior design, 是不是exquisite, 有没有一些glass curtain walls, 和chandelier, 墙上可能还挂着很多的oil paintings)和布局(layout), 几层楼, 也许你所描述的咖啡馆是个two-story building, 在ground floor可以看见一个cash counter (put your order),display window presents a wide range of lovely desserts and pastries there, 然后可以列举一系列的甜点名称cupcakes, waffles, muffins, brownies, blueberry cheese cake, black forest, tiramisu, chocolate mud cake, hand made cookies and so on ,并着重介绍某个best seller, 例如,the home made ice cream is a must-have there, it tastes awesome! 在second floor可以看到一些wooden or small round tables,还有那种big couches with some colorful and soft cushions on it. 当然self service area是大多数咖啡店都会有的,一般顾客可以在拿自行获取creamer, milk, tissues, straws, sugar, mixers, 也可说stirrers or blenders (这些词都可以用来“包装”CAFE这个话题)。
Why?为什么喜欢是要重点交代的一点,这时可以综合所有你曾经去过的咖啡店的优点来个头脑风暴(brain storm), 也许你喜欢的原因可能是这个咖啡店的beverages, (variety of choices, like Americano, Latte, cappuccino, smoothies, hot chocolate, lemonade, bubble tea, pearl milk tea and so on.)或是早餐(bagels, doughnuts, sandwiches, chicken wraps, smash egg, cheese and bacons ), 也许店家是位expert of coffee making, 因为每杯手工调制的咖啡上都会有很漂亮的coffee art, maybe a heart shape or a smile face! Competitive price that I can afford as a student 也可能是你喜欢的原因. 还有很多其他原因会让你对某家咖啡印象深刻,环境(the atmosphere is relaxing, cozy and not too loud, a wonderful place that free from distractions and interruptions, good lighting), 服务(they are fast and friendly, flexible to customize according to customer's requests, “buy six, get one free” loyal card, free wifi connection is a positive plus)甚至是个romantic place for dating, waiters are very cute and waitresses are drop-dead gorgeous也都可能是你喜欢上一个咖啡馆的原因。
综上所诉,只要有逻辑的按照五个“W”和一个“H”的方法来练习地点类话题,在考试的时候就可以轻松面对考官了。