3.but后面的信息
據(jù)統(tǒng)計(jì),四級(jí)聽(tīng)力含有but的考題中,考but之后的信息的占到95%,而考but之前信息的題目只有5%。以下一些例子中,可以體會(huì)but在各種話題的短對(duì)話中的使用情況。
1)數(shù)字計(jì)算題:
W: How much time did you have for writing the paper?
M: We were given three hours, but I finished it in less than half the time。
Q: How long did it take the man to write his paper?
本題中,but后面的信息和前面的信息結(jié)合才能得到正確的答案。數(shù)字題一般不會(huì)直接在對(duì)話中出現(xiàn)答案,大多數(shù)題目需要計(jì)算,而but就是計(jì)算的一個(gè)重要信息點(diǎn)。
2)因果關(guān)系題
此類(lèi)題中,but后面常常跟著說(shuō)話人提出做或不做某事的原因。比如回應(yīng)對(duì)方的邀請(qǐng)時(shí),說(shuō)話人常常會(huì)這樣表達(dá):I’d love to, but I have to get this reading out of my way。這句話中,說(shuō)話人沒(méi)有直接拒絕,但使用but委婉地提出不去的理由。雖然沒(méi)有出現(xiàn)because、since這樣的表示原因的詞,but起到了同樣的作用。
3)請(qǐng)求建議題
例如:
M: It seems that we’ll have another fine day tomorrow. Let’s go to the seaside。
W: OK, but we’ll have to leave very early or else we’ll get caught in the traffic。
Q: What does the woman mean?
女性雖然同意,但是還是提出了一個(gè)建議。此題中but就是解題的題眼。
4)觀點(diǎn)態(tài)度題
在英語(yǔ)中,but經(jīng)常使用在表達(dá)自己真實(shí)想法的題目中。說(shuō)話人往往先做出一個(gè)一般性的評(píng)論,然后用but引出自己的真實(shí)觀點(diǎn),因此but后面的信息變得至關(guān)重要。例如:
M: How did you like yesterday’s play?
W: Generally speaking, it was quite good. The part of the secretary was played wonderfully. But I think the man who played the boss was too dramatic to be realistic。
Q: How does the woman feel about the man’s acting in the play?
女士先表達(dá)了整體上戲很好,接著用but來(lái)轉(zhuǎn)折,通過(guò)but一詞可以推測(cè)后面的內(nèi)容是負(fù)面的。可見(jiàn)but不僅引出重要的信息,還可以幫助推測(cè)。