美文欣赏-人的包装
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A person, like a commodity, needs packaging. But going too far is absolutely undesirable. A little exaggeration, however, does no harm when it shows the person's unique qualities to their advantage. To display personal charm in a casual and natural way, it is important for one to have a clear knowledge of oneself. A master packager knows how to integrate art and nature without any traces of embellishment, so that the person so packaged is no commodity but a human being, lively and lovely.
A young person, especially a female, radiant with beauty and full of life, has all the favor granted by God. Any attempt to make up would be self-defeating. Youth, however, comes and goes in a moment of doze. Packaging for the middle-aged is primarily to conceal the furrows ploughed by time. If you still enjoy life's exuberance enough to retain self-confidence and pursue pioneering work, you are unique in your natural qualities, and your charm and grace will remain. Elderly people are beautiful if their river of life has been, through plains, mountains and jungles, running its course as it should. You have really lived your life which now arrives at a complacent stage of serenity indifferent to fame or wealth. There is no need to resort to hair-dyeing-the snow-capped mountain is itself a beautiful scene of fairyland. Let your looks change from young to old synchronizing with the natural aging process so as to keep in harmony with nature, for harmony itself is beauty, while the other way around will only end in unpleasantness. To be in the elder's company is like reading a thick book of de luxe edition that fascinates one so much as to be reluctant to part with.
As long as one finds where one stands, one knows how to package oneself, just as a commodity establishes its brand by the right packaging.
[参考译文]
人如商品要包装,但切忌过分包装。夸张包装,要善于展示个性的独特品质。在随意与自然中表现人的个性美,重要的是认识自己,包装的高手在于不留痕迹,外在的一切应与自身浑然一体,这时你不再是商品,而是活生生的人。
青年有着充盈的生命的底气,她亮丽诱人,这是上帝赐予的神采,任何涂抹都是多余的败笔,青春是个打个盹就过去的东西。中年的包装主要是修复岁月的磨损,如果中年的生命依然有开拓丰满与自信,便会成年人,如果你生命的河流正常地流过,流过了平原高山和丛林,那么你是美的。你的美充满了安详与淡泊,因为你真正地生活过。老年人不要去染发,老人的白发像高山的积雪,有种仙境之美。人该年轻时就年轻,该年老时就年老,这是与自然同步,这就是和谐。和谐就是美,反之就是丑。和老年人在一起就像读一本厚厚的精装书,魅力无穷,令人爱不释手。
一个人只要知道自己所处的位置,他就会知道如何包装自己。就如商品一样,品牌的树立靠的是正确的包装。
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想笑就笑-你停止打你老婆了吗?
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This story is told of a browbeating counsel,who habitually endeavored to terrorize his opponent's witnesses.
One witness rather tended to preface his replies with lengthy explanations.
"I want'yes'or'no,'"thundered counsel.
"There is no need for you to argue the point!"
"But there are some questions which cannot be answered by'yes'or'no,'"mildly responded the witness.
"There are not!" snapped the lawyer.
"Oh," said the witness,"answer this then:Have you ceased beating your wife?"
这个故事讲的是一个咄咄逼人的辩护律师,他惯于尽量去恐吓对方的证人。
有一个证人有点倾向于在回答问题之前做冗长的解释。
"我要你回答'是'或者'不是',"辩护律师怒喝道: "你没有必要就这个问题进行争论。"
"可是有些问题无法用'是'或者'不是'来回答。"这位证人温和地回敬他。
"不存在这样的问题!"律师厉声打断他。
"噢,"证人说:"那么请你回答这个问题:你停止打你老婆了吗?"
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情感故事-Christmas Presence
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It was the night before Christmas, and all through the evening I reminisced, fondly reliving past Christmases spent with my family. As a second year nursing student, just nineteen, this was to be the first time I wouldn't be home on Christmas. Although I knew I would someday be working on Christmas, I never expected to feel this lonely.
Secluded in my room, I yearned for the mouth-watering aromas of mom's freshly baked cookies, hot chocolate and love. The absence of the usual giggling, slamming doors and ringing telephones made the dormitory seem cold and empty. The unappetizing smell of disinfectant replaced my visions of cookies and cocoa.
Standing in front of the mirror, I conversed with my reflection. "You wanted to be a nurse didn't you? Well, you're almost a nurse. Now is your chance to find out what Christmas spirit really means." Determined to make the best of it, I turned in early.
"I'll be home for Christmas. You can count on me..." My faithful clock-radio announced reveille as I slowly dragged myself out of a toasty-warm bed. I trudged across the snow-filled street and grabbed a quick breakfast in the cafeteria before reporting for duty on the medical-surgical unit.
As I prepared to take vital signs on my first patient, I was startled by a robust voice that came from behind. "Merry Christmas to you. Want anything from the cafeteria? I'm headed that way Missy." As I took the stethoscope out of my ears and turned around, from the dimly lit room I could see a gigantic, roly-poly elderly gentleman with long, curly hair, all decked out in a bright red, plaid shirt tucked haphazardly into baggy red trousers. The trousers appeared to be held up by only two, wide, fire-engine-red suspenders that had long since outlived their elasticity. This Santa Claus facsimile was standing in the doorway waiting patiently for an answer to his query. The only thing missing was the beard.
As I looked toward the bright hallway lights from the darkened room, I thought for a moment that I was dreaming. "No thanks," I responded. "I just came on duty. I'll grab something at lunch."
Before disappearing down the hall he added, "Name's George. Just let me know what I can do for you, Missy. I'll be right back."
As I cared for my patients, George was right alongside. I watched him spread holiday cheer as he became a guest to the patients who had no visitors that day. When trays arrived he knew who needed assistance and who needed to be fed. He read letters and cards to those whose eyes could no longer see the letters on a printed page. George's powerful body and tender hands were always ready to help hold, turn, pull-up or lift a patient. He was a "gopher" who made countless trips to the supply room for the "needs of the moment."
George also knew when to call for help. While reading a letter to Mr. Jenkins, George noticed that the patient suddenly started to "look funny" and instantly ran to the nurse's station to summon aid. Thanks to George's swift action, we managed to reverse the effects of an impending diabetic coma.
Jovial George clearly enjoyed helping others while he spread cheer and told jokes -- the same jokes, over and over again, all day long, one patient at a time. We all enjoyed his presence that Christmas day.
When I finally took my lunch break, I was surprised to find the cafeteria elaborately decorated for the season. I sat down next to one of the staff nurses from the unit. During lunch with Andrea, I had the chance to ask a burning question. "Who is this George fellow? And why is he here on Christmas Day?"
"About ten years ago, George's wife became seriously ill. He spent almost every waking moment by her side. Those two lovebirds were so devoted to one another. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her." Andrea stopped for a few moments, sipping her coffee in silence, before continuing.
"George started to visit other patients while his wife was sleeping or having treatments. He was here so much that he seemed to take naturally to helping out wherever he could."
My natural curiosity made me ask, "Does he have any family?"
A serious look came over Andrea's face as she continued. "They never had children, and as far as I know, there are no relatives. But you see, George watched his wife suffer for a very long time. He shared every second of her pain and anguish. On Christmas Eve night, after I prepared his wife for sleep, they prayed together. During the prayer, George promised his wife that if God would take away her misery that night, by taking her 'home,' he would spend the rest of his life as a Christmas volunteer."
Andrea and I finished our lunch in silence.
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生活英语-与陌生人展开话题 引起对方注意的英语12招
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Excuse me......(引起对方注意)
要与陌生人展开话题,最常用的attention getters有下面几种,注意你的语调.
Sir.......
Miss.....
Ma'am....
A:Oh,Miss?(↑)
B:Yes?(↑)
A:I think you dropped this.
B:Oh,did I? Oh,yes,I did.Thank you.
A:You're welcome.
不用解释了吧,好简单的!
A:Sir(↑) Has the flight to Detroit departed yet?
B:Yes,That flight left tem minutes ago.
A:Can I get a new reservation tonight to Detroit?
B:I'm sorry.We don't have any more flights to Detronit.
A:What about tomorrow?
B:Yes,we have many flights tomorrow.
在相当于中文"喂"的说法中,有几种美国人偏爱的口语用法:
Hey,you guys!
Yoo-hoo!
Hey,folks!
A:Hey,you guys,be quiet and start working now.
B:All right.
A:Yoo-hoo!
B:Yeah?(↑)
A:Did I get any mail today?
B:Yes,you did.You have three letters.
A:Thanks.
A:Girls! Ballet class will begin now.
B:Where do we put our belongings?
A:Please put them in the corner.
至于"Yo" 或"Hey you",虽然意思相同,但比较不尊重,最好少用.
较正式场合表示:"对不起"的话来引起对方注意:
(Do you )mind (if)....?
Excuse me....
Pardon me....
Sorry....
A: Do you mind?
B: No... not at all....what can I do for you?
在餐馆中需要服务员时,可以直呼其职称来引起注意.
"Waiter,will you serve the nuts-- I mean,would you serve the guests the nuts?"
"服务员,你来服侍这些疯子---我是说,可不可以请你拿些核桃给这些客人?"
nut: 坚果,核桃,俚语有"疯子"的意思.
A:Waitress!
B:Yes,sir.what can I do for you?
A:I can't eat this stuff.Call the manager!
B:It's no use.He won't eat it,either.
A:服务员!
B:是的,先生.要我为你服务吗?
A:这些东西我实在难以下咽.
B:没用的,这些东西他也不会吃的.
A:Waiter,there's a dead fly swimming in my soup!
B:Nonsense,ma'am-dead flies can't swim.
A:服务员,有只死苍蝇在我的汤里面游泳!
B:胡扯,夫人--死苍蝇是不会游泳的.
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科普知识-致命的海豚
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Deadly Dolphins
致命的海豚
1. People like dolphins. They are regarded as smart (at least compared with the average fish), and cute. They also have a large vocabulary with which they 1)communicate with one another in a very human way. Now, however, researchers in America 2)claim that some of the sounds that dolphins make are not just harmless 3)gossip.
大家都喜爱海豚。?们被认为聪明(至少跟普通鱼类相较之下)而且可爱。?们也有大量的语汇,可以用相当近似于人类的方式彼此沟通。不过,现在美国的研究人员表示,海豚所发出的一些声音并不只是无伤大雅的闲聊而已。
1.1) communicate (v.) 沟通 2) claim (v.) 宣称 3) gossip (n.) 闲言闲语
2. Scientists from universities in Hawaii and Florida say that they have taken videos of dolphins chasing 1)schools of fish while 2)emitting very low-3)frequency sounds. The fish being chased apparently became confused by the sounds and began to either swim around in circles or stop swimming altogether. The researchers say that the sounds appeared to damage the fish's hearing and so confuse them.
夏威夷与佛罗里达大学的科学家表示,他们已拍摄到海豚追捕鱼群的录像带,同时海豚发出非常低频率的声音。被追的鱼显然被声音弄胡涂了,开始绕着圈子回游,或者索性停止游动。研究人员表示,这些声音似乎会损害鱼的听觉,使?们受到混淆。
2.1) school (n.) 鱼群 2) emit (v.) 发出 3) frequency (n.) 频率
3. On another 1)occasion the dolphins were seen to use a slightly different 2)strategy. While hunting on the 3)seabed they emitted a 4)weird 5)medium frequency noise. Buried 6)eels jumped out of the sand and either swam around as if they were drunk or just 7)floated there waiting for the dolphins to start their lunch.
另外一次,看到海豚使用有点不一样的策略。在海底猎食时,?们发出一种奇怪的中频率杂音。埋藏的鳗鱼自沙中跳出,或者像是酒醉一般游来游去,或者只是漂浮在水中,等待海豚开始享用午餐。
3.1) occasion (n.) 场合 2) strategy (n.) 策略 3) seabed (n.) 海底 4) weird (a.) 怪异的 5) medium (a.) 中等的 6) eel (n.) 鳗鱼 7) float (v.) 漂浮
4. Similar 1)theories about dolphins using their voices as weapons have been around for nearly twenty years. This, however, is the first time that researchers have got hard evidence that dolphin voices can be deadly to their 2)prey.
关于海豚利用声音作为武器的类似理论,已流传将近二十年。但是,这是研究人员首度有确凿的证据,显示海豚所发出的声音会让?们的猎物致命。
4.1) theory (n.) 理论 2) prey (n.) 猎物
5. Just shout and your dinner stops running away? Maybe dolphins are even smarter than we thought.
只要大叫,你的晚餐就不会逃跑?或许海豚比我们想象的还要聪明。
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商贸英语-申请按揭手续
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买了房子后,陈先生想申请银行按揭。在物业代理王先生的推荐上,他来到银行咨询按揭手续。
A--Agent Mr. Wang 物业代理王先生
B--Buyer Mr. Chen 买家陈先生
C--Bank Loan Officer 银行职员
A: Good morning. Let me introduce you to Mr. Chen. He would like to ask you details about mortgage loans.
早上好!让我介绍一下,这是陈先生。他想咨询有关银行按揭的详细内容。
C: Good morning, Mr. Chen. I've known Mr. Wang for many years. He is a very helpful agent.
早上好,陈先生。我认识王先生很多年了。他是一个热心的物业代理。
B: Yes, he is. Mr. Wang has given some good advice that has helped us buy this apartment at such a reasonable price.
是的。王先生给了我们很多建议,帮我们买到价钱这么合理的房子。
A: Sam, Mr. Chen has recently bought a flat in Tai Koo Shing. I recommended that they apply for a mortgage loan at your bank..
山姆,陈先生最近在太古城买了套房子。我建议他们到你们的银行申请按揭。
C: Thank you. We can start by you giving me the information on your property.
谢谢。首先请给我介绍一下你买的房子。
A: Sam, this is the Preliminary Sale and Purchase Agreement. The selling price of the flat is four point two million HK dollars. He would like to apply for a mortgage loan representing 70% of the purchase price.
山姆,这是临时买卖合约。成交价是四百二十万港币。他希望申请七成银行按揭。
B: I would like to know the different kinds of home investment plans your bank offers.
我希望知道有多少种银行按揭方法可也选择。
C: Sure, Mr. Chen. Our bank's minimum mortgage rate is 8.25% to any applicant with a monthly income of over seventy thousand dollars.
好的,陈先生。本银行可以向任何月收入超过七万块的客户提供八厘二五的最优惠按揭利率。
B: I'm afraid I'm not eligible for this plan. Here is my salary tax form from 2004 to 2005.
恐怕我不合乎这个条款。这是我零四到零五年的税单。
C: Do you have any other bank mortgage loans?
你有没有其他银行按揭贷款?
B: No, I don't. The apartment we are living in now is fully paid up.
我没有任何贷款,我现在住的房子已经供完了。
C: I see. Please give me ten minutes to calculate the interest for you.
我明白了。请给我十分钟来计算利率。
(After 10 minutes.)
(十分钟后。)
C: Mr. Chen, our bank will offer you a 10.25% interest rate. Attached is a repayment table for your reference.
陈先生,银行会为你提供十厘二五的按揭利率。这是一份按揭还款表,供您参考。
B: Thank you. How long do you need for approval of my loan?
谢谢,需要多长时间批准我的按揭申请呢?
C: Usually it takes two days to approve your application and then we will issue a Conditional Letter of Offer and notify your solicitor to prepare the mortgage document in about two weeks.
通常需要两天的时间核实申请,然后在两周内我们会发出一份附带条件的按揭批准通知书给你,并通知你的律师准备按揭按材料。
B: Thank you for your time. I have to discuss this with my wife, and then bring the relevant document to you. Thank you, Mr. Wang. I will get back to you.
谢谢你的帮忙。我必须与太太商量一下,然后我会带有关资料给你。谢谢你王先生,我会跟你联络的。
A: Thank you, Mr. Chen and thank you. Sam.
谢谢你,陈先生。谢谢你山姆。
C: You're welcome.
不客气。
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双语诗歌-你无所不能
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If anyone tries to tell you that you can\'t work hard enough to face the task in front of you--show them that you\'re tough.
If anyone tries to tell you that you are not that strong, don\'t listen to discouragement--know that you belong.
If anyone tries to tell you that you can\'t sing your own song, or make your way in the world...prove them wrong.
Everyone gets an angel... You can\'t always see them because sometimes they are invisible.
Sometimes they are your pet when he kisses you...
Sometimes they are a small treasure you find... an angel might even be your friend.
Those angels are quiet, but what they are really saying is:" pink clouds! A good day is just around the corner."
So, if you begin to worry too much, just remember...
Somewhere an angel is looking out for you, too.
倘若有人试图告诉你,无论你多么勤勉也无法面对面前的任务告诉他们你能吃苦耐劳。如果有人试图告诉你,你并非如此坚强,别听泄气话要知道自己真正的归属。
假如有人试图告诉你,你不能我行我素,或者在这世界上,你无法成功发迹……向他们证明,他们错了。
每个人都有一个天使……你无法总是见到他们,因为有时他们是无形的。
有时他们化作你的宠物来亲吻你……
有时他们变成小小的宝藏让你发现……天使甚至可以变成你的朋友。
这些天使缄默不语,可他们真正在说的是:"粉红的云朵!美好的一天就在眼前!"
所以,当你开始忧心忡忡时,只要记住……
在某处,有一位天使,也在守候着你。
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英文演讲-President's Radio Address
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May 26, 2007
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This Memorial Day weekend, Americans honor those who have given their lives in service to our Nation. As we pay tribute to the brave men and women who died for our freedom, we also honor those who are defending our liberties around the world today.
On Wednesday, I met with some of the courageous young men and women who will soon take their place in the defense of our Nation: the graduating class of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Since its inception, the Coast Guard has patrolled and protected America's shores. And in this time of war, the Coast Guard has assumed new responsibilities to defend our Nation against terrorist infiltration and help stop new attacks. I was proud to stand with the Class of 2007 and thank them for their bold decision to wear the uniform.
The men and women of the Coast Guard are fighting alongside soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who have also volunteered to protect America. We live in freedom because patriots such as these are willing to serve, and many have given their lives in defense of our Nation. On Monday, I will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their country's cause.
One of those who gave his life was Sergeant David Christoff, Jr., of Rossford, Ohio. The day after the attacks of September the 11th, David walked into a recruiting station to become a United States Marine. Asked why he made the decision to serve, David said: "I don't want my brother and sister to live in fear." David eventually deployed to Iraq, where he fought street by street in the battle of Fallujah and earned a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action.
While on leave back home, David learned his company was headed for combat in Afghanistan. But he knew there was also a job to finish in Iraq. So he asked to be reassigned to a unit headed for Iraq, and last May he died in Anbar province where the Marines are taking the fight to al Qaeda. When his family received his belongings, his mother and his father each found a letter from David. He asked that they pray for his fellow Marines and all those still serving overseas.
On Memorial Day, our Nation honors Sergeant Christoff's final request. We pray for our men and women serving in harm's way. We pray for their safe return. And we pray for their families and loved ones, who also serve our country with their support and sacrifice.
On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause. In Iraq and Afghanistan, millions have shown their desire to be free. We are determined to help them secure their liberty. Our troops are helping them build democracies that respect the rights of their people, uphold the rule of law, and fight extremists alongside America in the war on terror. With the valor and determination of our men and women in uniform, I am confident that we will succeed and leave a world that is safer and more peaceful for our children and grandchildren.
On Memorial Day, we also pay tribute to Americans from every generation who have given their lives for our freedom. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, brave men and women have given up their own futures so that others might have a future of freedom. Because of their sacrifice, millions here and around the world enjoy the blessings of liberty. And wherever these patriots rest, we offer them the respect and gratitude of our Nation.
Thank you for listening.
END
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学习技巧-怎样写好大学英语四级作文
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大学英语作文是衡量学生英语综合水平和应用能力的一个重要指标,也是大学四级考试的一个重要内容。在整个四级卷面(满分为100分)中占15分,考生在这一部分的得分直接决定其四级成绩。近年来国家教委又明确规定,四级考试中,如果学生作文得零分,那么即使前面得了满分(即85分),其总成绩仍将视为不及格。因此写好一篇文章对参加四级考试的学生来说可谓至关重要,不容轻视。
作文不理想的原因很多,总的看来主要有以下几个方面的问题:
第一、英语底子太薄。底子太薄主要表现为对语法知识掌握不牢及对基本词汇记忆不清。它包括定冠词和不定冠词的滥用,主谓不一致,单复数搞不清楚(例如:a people等),时态和语态混乱及词语的各种形式掌握不牢。有的学生文章写得很长,字迹也很工整,但是读完之后只觉得思路紊乱,支离破碎,没有一个完整的句子,所以也就只能得两三分以慰劳苦。
第二、词汇量太小,且对已学词汇记忆不清。除了底子太薄这个历史原因之外,学生词汇量太小也是一个不容忽视的原因。有的学生汉语功底很好,用汉语作文,他们就会思如泉涌,下笔千言,但是一到用英语作文就好像被缚住了手脚,不知如何下手。比如99年1月的作文,题目是"Don't Hesitate to Say No", 大部分学生能够领会题意并能按给出的汉语提纲作文,但有的学生连Hesitate是什么意思都不知道,更不用说在此基础上再作发挥了。另外有的学生虽然对题目及要求非常清楚,但是因为自己所掌握的词汇所限,无法用一些合适的词来表达自己的思想,于是只有绕着题目翻来覆去乱说一气,再加上这次出的作文提纲就象一道绕口令:
1、 别人请求帮助时,在什么情况下我们会说"不";
2、 为什么有些人在该说"不"的时候不说"不";
3、 该说"不"时不说"不"的坏处。
所以在说过一个又一个的"No"再加几个"Yes"之后,阅卷老师也给搞得云里雾里,头脑发胀,最后也只得酌情给个两三分罢了。还有的一写到纸上就是错字别字满篇,有些词汇的用法也走了样。其中最典型的就是for example写成example for , for instance写成for a instance, illegal 写成unlegle, 而such as, in spite of 等许多短语则是乱用一气。词汇的有限导致许多学生有口难言,欲说不能,对他们来说,用英语作文实在是一件很头疼的事情。
第三、缺乏思想,深度不够。99年1月的考试中很大一部分学生不能得高分还有一个重要的原因,就是他们的作文缺乏思想,深度不够。很多学生虽然已是大二的学生,甚至是大三大四的学生,但是他们在作文当中所表现出的智力水平与阅历似乎只相当于一个初高中生。写出的文章着眼点低,视野狭窄。作为学生,作文着眼于学生之间的关系,反映学生之间的帮忙,这并不为过,但是这种帮忙不能仅仅限于在考试当中的帮忙,而且对这种帮忙都是一句话 "Don't hesitate to say 'No'"。更有相当一部分学生在文章中写帮忙就是这一次四级考试当中的帮忙。与在校考生比较起来,社会考生应该多了许多社会阅历,也多了一些见解,但是举出来的例子也是范围太窄,大多是讲老板或领导让干的事只能答 "Yes"而不能回答 "No"。其实除了这些,可举的例子很多,关键是要抓住实质。
第四、缺乏应试技巧。缺乏应试技巧,主要表现为有些学生在篇首或篇尾有喊口号倾向(如Dear Friends, let's not hesitate to say"No"),或画蛇添足,本来文章该结束
了却偏要罗罗嗦嗦再来两句多余的话;另外一些学生字数把握不准,不是写得太短就是写得太长,写得太短的会因为字数不够而失分,太长的又因为阅卷老师任务繁重,时间窘迫,不能因为一篇文章乱了整个阅卷节奏。还有一些学生的笔迹(尤其是用纯蓝墨水钢笔和出水太浅的圆珠笔写的),让阅卷老师怎么也看不清楚以上是四级英语考试中常见的几个问题,更是我们平时英语作文当中应该注意的几个方面。要写好一篇英语文章,关键要在平时下功夫,打好牢固的基础,但是如果这一功夫在使用的时候不讲技巧,不但不能事半功倍地发挥出最高技巧,取得最佳成绩,甚至可能出现与实际水平相去甚远的低成绩。因此,上面讲到的四个问题应该是相辅相成,缺一不可的,做到了这几点,写出一篇好的大学英语四级作文应该是不难的。
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