有助于英语阅读理解的信号词
来源:用户上传
作者: 赵 萍
摘要: 本文通过对信号词的分类讲解,说明在阅读时学习者如果能抓住语言信号词就能加快、加深对每篇文章的理解,就能显著提高阅读速度和理解能力。
关键词: 信号词英语阅读理解阅读速度
每篇文章的主题思想都是借助各段落、句子所包含的具体内容而表现出来的。为使主题思想体现得更加充分明显,作者会通过一定的思维形式和语言手段,把分散、复杂的材料组织在一起,使之形成一个结构严谨、层次分明、形式与内容相一致的语言整体。这种语言手段就是通过语言信号词来实现的。语言信号词能使文章前后逻辑清晰,段落与段落之间、句子与句子之间结构紧凑、语意连贯。所以,如果学习者在阅读时能抓住这些信号词就能加快加深对文章的理解,从而提高阅读速度和理解能力。下面我们对五种语言信号词分别进行说明。
一、顺序信号词(signal words of process)
顺序信号词就是用于连接段落与段落之间、句子与句子之间事物发展先后过程。这种先后顺序一般不可随便更动,否则会使逻辑混乱或语义不清。例如:
Once you encounter a person who has stopped breathing,you should begin immediately to do mouth-to-breathing first,place the victim on his back and remove anything from his mouth with fingers.Then tilt his head backwards,so that his chin is pointing up.Next,pull his mouth open and his jaw forward pinch his nostrils shut to prevent the air which you blow into his mouth from escaping through his nose.Then place your mouth tightly over the victims.Blow into his mouth until you see his chest rise.Then turn your head to the side and listen for the out rush of air which indicates an air exchange,repeat the process.
这一段落用了三个顺序信号词,叙述了做人工呼吸的五个步骤,使读者看了一目了然。搞清楚顺序信号词,读者会对文章有更清晰明了的理解。常见的信号词有:one,two,...three...;first,...second,...third...;firstly,...secondly,...thirdly;(in)the first(second...)stage/step)等。
二、例证信号词(signal words of examples)
例证顾名思义就是通过具体实例来说明问题。了解例证信号词有助于学习者在阅读时加深对文章主题思想的理解。例证是对概括而言的。含有例证信号词的段落一开始往往出现一个概括句,即主题句,而后用实例加以说明。例如:
This term several useful and interesting course have been offered.An Introduction to European Culture,for instance,gives us a lot of background knowledge of the history of European philosophy,literature and arts.American Society and Culture is another course that attracts a large audience.
本段第一句是概括句,提出这学期增设了几门有用并令人感兴趣的课程。然后,以两门课作例子(“欧洲文化介绍”和“美国的社会与文化”)对概括句进行具体的说明。一个概括句有时需用几个例子来说明。有时一个例子用了信号词其它就没有必要再用。常见的例证信号词大致有:for instance,for example,(to take)another example,such as等。
三、空间位置信号词(signal words of spatial order)
空间位置信号词就是用于描写或者陈述由远而近、由上到下、由前及后、由里及外、由中心向四周的事物、景物等空间位置。其目的在于使上下文浑然一体、结构紧凑、有条不紊。例如:
In the middle of the rectangular-shaped court-yard stood three magnolia trees,all in full bloom.A little girl was hopping among them under one of the trees stood her mother,who,while keeping an eye on her,was examining the milk-white blossoms with great interest and admiration.In front of another tree a young couple were posing for a picture.At one end of the courtyard,a group of youngsters had gathered behind an artist painting a flourishing limb.At the opposite end,a few elderly men and women stood admiring the leafless flowering tress.
这一段文章用了五个由表示空间位置的信号词所组成的词组生动地描述了一个长方形庭院,院内呈现出一派生机盎然的景象,使读者犹如亲临其境。因此,熟悉空间位置信号词有助于读者加深理解文章的内容,在脑海中留下清晰的印象。常见的空间信号词有:
介词:above,across,against,around,beneath,behind,beside,in,in front of,in the center,inside,outside,near等。
名词或形容词:back,base,bottom,center,corner,diameter,edge,east,south,west,north等。
四、因果信号词(signal words of cause and effect)
在文章中,表示因果关系的段落屡见不鲜。在阅读因果型段落时,我们要注意两点,即它的两个结构形式:从因到果和从果到因。例如:
Farm production in the United States increases each year.A century ago,one farmer produced enough food for five people.Today one farmer produces enough for nearly fifty people.Therefore,termers must lower their prices in order to sell more of their produces.
本例是因果式,以therefore这个表示结果的信号词为界限,之前表示的是原因;之后阐述的是结果。常见的引导结果的信号词有:so,therefore,thus,as a result of,consequently,accordingly,for this reason等。
五、时间信号词(signal words of time or chronological sequencing)
在讲故事或叙述一件事时,最明了的办法就是按照时间先后顺序去讲。例如:
Pager was born in Great Yarmouth on 11 January 1814.He went to school in Yarmouth,but had to leave at the age of 13 when his father’s business ran into hard times, In1834,his elder brother George paid for him to go to a hospital in London.At the age of 33,he became a surgeon...He died on 30 December 1899...
这一段叙述的是一个人的生平,是按照时间的先后顺序写的。表示时间的语言信号词很多,人们也不陌生。常见的介词有by,from,during,in,on at,after,before,since等;
副词有afterwards,first,then,next,later,finally,subsequently,soon,immediately等;
形容词有following,next等;
从属连词有after,before,when,while等。
以上对五种语言信号词的分析,希望能对学习者提高英文阅读速度与理解力有所帮助。
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