2007年全國研究生入學(xué)考試已經(jīng)落下帷幕,綜觀本次考試,至少有兩點非常出乎人們的預(yù)料:
首先是考研翻譯,竟然原封不動地采用了在2005年考研英語試題中開始發(fā)給北京地區(qū)考生旋即又被替換掉的一套試題,該試題因為仿真性很高,被一些考研輔導(dǎo)資料收錄并在很多網(wǎng)站上廣為流傳。筆者曾經(jīng)在一個考研沖刺班上作為練習(xí)讓學(xué)生做過并且詳細的講解過:
Directions:
Read the following text carefully and then translate the underlined segments into Chinese. Your translation should be written clearly on ANSWER SHEET 2. (10 points)
The study of law has been recognized for centuries as a basic intellectual discipline in European universities. However, only in recent years has it become a feature of undergraduate programs in Canadian universities. (46) Traditionally, legal learning has been viewed in such institutions as the special preserve of lawyers, rather than a necessary part of the intellectual equipment of an educated person. Happily, the older and more continental view of legal education is establishing itself in a number of Canadian universities and some have even begun to offer undergraduate degrees in law.
If the study of law is beginning to establish itself as part and parcel of a general education, its aims and methods should appeal directly to journalism educators. Law is a discipline which encourages responsible judgment. On the one hand, it provides opportunities to analyze such ideas as justice, democracy and freedom. (47) On the other, it links these concepts to everyday realities in a manner which is parallel to the links journalists forge on a daily basis as they cover and comment on the news. For example, notions of evidence and fact, of basic rights and public interest are at work in the process of journalistic judgment and production just as in courts of law. Sharpening judgment by absorbing and reflecting on law is a desirable component of a journalist’s intellectual preparation for his or her career.
(48) But the idea that the journalist must understand the law more profoundly than an ordinary citizen rests on an understanding of the established conventions and special responsibilities of the news media. Politics or, more broadly, the functioning of the state, is a major subject for journalists. The better informed they are about the way the state works, the better their reporting will be. (49) In fact, it is difficult to see how journalists who do not have a clear grasp of the basic features of the Canadian Constitution can do a competent job on political stories.
Furthermore, the legal system and the events which occur within it are primary subjects for journalists. While the quality of legal journalism varies greatly, there is an undue reliance amongst many journalists on interpretations supplied to them by lawyers. (50) While comment and reaction from lawyers may enhance stories, it is preferable for journalists to rely on their own notions of significance and make their own judgments. These can only come from a well-grounded understanding of the legal system.
具體分析如下:
[翻譯題解]
46. Traditionally, legal learning has been viewed in such institutions as the special preserve of lawyers, rather than a necessary part of the intellectual equipment of an educated person.
�。鄯治觯�1. 句子分段: Traditionally, legal learning has been viewed in such institutions ‖ as the special preserve of lawyers, ‖ rather than a necessary part of the intellectual equipment of an educated person.
2. 句子結(jié)構(gòu): 1) 主干結(jié)構(gòu):簡單句legal learning has been viewed as...rather than...;2) view...as中間插入介詞詞組in such institutions作狀語,該詞組的含義要到前一句話中去找,指的是“Canadian universities”。
3. 詞的處理: institution機構(gòu);special preserve專門的工作;intellectual equipment知識素養(yǎng);educated受過良好教育的
�。圩g文]傳統(tǒng)上,在加拿大的高等學(xué)府里,學(xué)習(xí)法律一直被看作是律師的專門工作,而不是一個受過良好教育的人所必須具備的知識素養(yǎng)。
47. On the other, it links these concepts to everyday realities in a manner which is parallel to the links journalists forge on a daily basis as they cover and comment on the news.
[分析]1. 句子分段: On the other, it links these concepts to everyday realities in a manner ‖ which is parallel to the links ‖ journalists forge on a daily basis ‖ as they cover and comment on the news.
2. 句子結(jié)構(gòu): 1) 主語+謂語+which引導(dǎo)的定語從句+省略引導(dǎo)詞的定語從句+as引導(dǎo)的狀語從句;2) these concepts的含義也要到前邊的句子中去找,指的是前面提到的justice, democracy and freedom;3) which引導(dǎo)的定語從句which is...the news修飾manner,其中包含了定語從句journalists...daily basis,修飾links以及as引導(dǎo)的狀語從句。
3. 詞的處理: concept觀念;everyday reality日常生活中的實際情況;in a...manner以……方式;parallel類似的,相似的;forge使形成;on a basis以……為基礎(chǔ);cover報道
[譯文]另一方面,法律又將正義、民主和自由這些觀念與日常生活中的實際聯(lián)系在一起,其方式就如同新聞工作者在報道和評論新聞事件時,以日常生活為基礎(chǔ),使這些觀念與實際情況相結(jié)合一樣。
48. But the idea that the journalist must understand the law more profoundly than an ordinary citizen rests on an understanding of the established conventions and special responsibilities of the news media.
�。鄯治觯�1. 句子分段: But the idea ‖ that the journalist must understand the law more profoundly than an ordinary citizen ‖ rests on an understanding of the established conventions and special responsibilities of the news media.
2. 句子結(jié)構(gòu): 1) 主語+that引導(dǎo)的同位語從句+謂語(rest on)+賓語(an understanding of...);2) the established conventions和special responsibilities均修飾news media。
3. 詞的處理: profoundly深刻地;rest on建立在……之上,以……為基礎(chǔ)或根據(jù);understanding理解,共識;established既定的,確認的;convention規(guī)范;news media新聞媒體
[譯文]但是,新聞工作者對于法律的理解應(yīng)該比普通公民更加深刻,這個觀點是在對于新聞媒體的既定規(guī)范和特殊的社會責(zé)任有深刻認識的基礎(chǔ)之上建立的。
49. In fact, it is difficult to see how journalists who do not have a clear grasp of the basic features of the Canadian Constitution can do a competent job on political stories.
�。鄯治觯�1. 句子分段: In fact, it is difficult to see ‖ how journalists ‖ who do not have a clear grasp of the basic features of the Canadian Constitution ‖ can do a competent job on political stories.
2. 句子結(jié)構(gòu): 1) 形式主語it+表語+真實主語how...political stories;2) 真實主語是how引導(dǎo)的從句,該從句的主語是journalists,謂語部分是can do...;who引導(dǎo)的定語從句修飾journalists。
3. 詞的處理: see設(shè)想,想象;grasp領(lǐng)會,理解;basic feature基本特點;competent令人滿意的;story新聞報道
�。圩g文]實際上,很難想象那些對于加拿大憲法的基本特點缺乏清晰了解的新聞工作者能夠勝任政治新聞報道的工作。
50. While comment and reaction from lawyers may enhance stories, it is preferable for journalists to rely on their own notions of significance and make their own judgments.
�。鄯治觯�1. 句子分段:While comment and reaction from lawyers ‖ may enhance stories, ‖ it is preferable for journalists ‖ to rely on their own notions of significance and ‖ make their own judgments.
2. 句子結(jié)構(gòu):while引導(dǎo)的狀語從句+形式主語it+真實主語to rely on...and make...。
3. 詞的處理: reaction反應(yīng);enhance提高,提升;preferable更可取的,更好的;rely on依靠,依賴;notion見解,看法;significance重要性,意義;make one’s own judgment作出自己的判斷
�。圩g文]律師的評論和反應(yīng)當(dāng)然能夠提升新聞報道的價值,但是,記者們最好還是依靠自己對于事件重要性的認識來做出判斷。
從班上學(xué)員目前的反應(yīng)來看,大多數(shù)學(xué)生因為在平時學(xué)習(xí)的過程中很扎實,嚴(yán)格按照我們“徹底消化上課時所講的內(nèi)容”的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)去做,因而在考試時做得很好(包括那些平時做翻譯題速度太慢,因而把翻譯放在最后再做的同學(xué),很多同學(xué)說用了不到10分鐘就做晚了)。但也有少數(shù)同學(xué),因為平時學(xué)習(xí)不扎實,在看到考題時,只是知道自己做過,但具體的考點反而不熟悉了,帶著后悔萬分的心情去做題,因而還不如以前從來沒有做過。其實,退一步講,即使翻譯題是全新的誰都沒有見過的,認真把考研大綱詞匯背過,把我們在強化班上講的基本做題技巧掌握住并且把從1990到2006年的真題作熟,在考試時拿下6-7分并非難事。
另一個出人意料之處在于考研英語新題型竟然采用了最為簡單段落選擇標(biāo)題題型,這類題目,通過最簡單的銜接線索——詞匯線索就可以全部掌握(詳見拙作《三類線索巧解考研英語新題型》。較為復(fù)雜的邏輯關(guān)系線索和最復(fù)雜的文章結(jié)構(gòu)線索根本用不上。很多同學(xué)都能在10分鐘內(nèi)輕松搞定大多數(shù)題目。現(xiàn)分析如下:
備選的段落小標(biāo)題分別為:
A. Set a Good Example for Your Kids
B. Build Your Kid’s Work Skills
C. Place Time Limits on Leisure Activities
D. Talk about the Future on a Regular Basis
E. Help Kids Develop Coping Strategies
F. Help Your Kids Figure Out Who They Are
G. Build Your Kid’s Sense of Responsibility
各個段落已知信息的段落為(根本不需要讀沒有出題的段落,出題的段落也不用讀完):
41
You can start this process when they are 11 or 12. Periodically review their emerging strengths and weaknesses with them and work together on any shortcomings, like difficulty in communicating well or collaborating. Also, identify the kinds of interests they keep coming back to, as these offer clues to the careers that will fit them best.
這段話,幾條關(guān)鍵信息是:要搞清楚孩子的優(yōu)缺點、興趣及他們最適合的職業(yè) (strengths and weaknesses,interest,careers) ,概括一下,就是Figure Out Who They Are
42.
Kids need a range of authentic role models – as opposed to members of their clique, pop stars and vaunted athletes. Have regular dinner-table discussions about people the family knows and how they got where they are. Discuss the joys and downsides of your own career and encourage your kids to form some ideas about their own future. When asked what they want to do, they should be discouraged from saying “I have no ideas.” They can change their minds 200 times, but having only a foggy view of the future is of little good.
第一句話是綜述句,后面全市具體的例子,以一句話重點講到model即榜樣,和A選項中的example 是同義詞。
43
Teachers are responsible for teaching kids how to learn; parents should be responsible for teaching them how to work. Assign responsibilities around the house and make sure homework deadlines are met. Encourage teenagers to take a part-time job. Kids need plenty of practice delaying gratification and deploying effective organizational skills, such as managing time and setting priorities.
這段話,幾條關(guān)鍵信息是:work, job,skills,與選項B中work skills等詞原詞復(fù)現(xiàn)。
44.
Playing video games encourages immediate content. And hours of watching TV shows with canned laughter only teaches kids to process information in a passive way. At the same time, listening through earphones to the same monotonous beats for long stretches encourages kids to stay inside their bubble instead of pursuing other endeavors. All these activities can prevent the growth of important communication and thinking skills and make it difficult for kids to develop the kind of sustained concentration they need for most jobs.
這段話,幾條關(guān)鍵信息是:Playing video games,watching TV shows, listening through earphones,all these activities 概括一下就是選項C中的“l(fā)eisure activities”(娛樂活動)。
45
They should know how to deal with setbacks, stresses and feelings of inadequacy. They should also learn how to solve problems and resolve conflicts, ways to brainstorm and think critically. Discussions at home can help kids practice doing these things and help them apply these skills to everyday life situations.
這段話,幾條關(guān)鍵信息是:deal with setbacks, stresses and feelings,solve problems and resolve conflicts,ways to brainstorm and think critically概括一下就是Coping Strategies。
其他兩個選項的迷惑性很低,簡單的原詞復(fù)現(xiàn)、同義詞替換以及簡單的概括能力(以往真題中閱讀理解A部分涉及概括能力的題目比這幾個體復(fù)雜得多),就足以對付很多考生望而生畏的考研英語新題型,由此可見考研英語新題型并不可怕,只要平時認真把上課時講的內(nèi)容吃透,考研英語獲得高分,并非難事。