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单词填空题是BEC Higher(剑桥商务英语高级证书考试)独有的题型。它出现在阅读的第五部分,是一篇独立的、长度约250个词的文章,其中包含10个空格,考生需要在每个空格处填入一个单词,以使文章完整、连贯。这个题型主要考查考生对于语法结构和词汇固定搭配的掌握情况。由于答案惟一性的需要(虽然有时答案不是惟一的,如:will =shall等),所以空格处需要填入的一般是语法功能词而非实词。
碰到这个题目时,考生可以按照以下的步骤答题:
1、 略读文章,掌握文章的脉络。
由于空格处需要填入的基本都是语法功能虚词,一般没有实义,所以考生可以先跳过空格,把文章快速通读一遍,这样有助于解题。
2、 精读空格所在的句子,分析句子结构以及句子与上下文之间的逻辑关系。
在精读的过程中,考生要注意把握三方面的信息:
1)句子的大体意思;
2)句子中是否包含固定搭配;
3)空格所在句的句子类型及主谓关系。
3、 判断所缺单词的词性,选择正确的形式填入。
注意:该题填在答题卡上,用大写字母。
样题分析
下面,笔者将以一套最新的全真题为例,具体讲解一下应该如何按照上文提到的三个步骤答题,读者朋友可以先根据题目要求自测一下:
PART FIVE
Questions 31-40
* Read the article below about a booklet published by a bank.
* For each question 31~40, write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.
* There is an example at the beginning, (0) .
A USEFUL BOOKLET
Fear has expressed by the managers of (0) ____ number of small companies about the possibility of a downturn in the economy. As a response to this, (31)____ of the major banks is offering small businesses a free practical guide to help them (32)____ problems should occur.
The booklet is about helping firms identify and cope with a changing economic climate. Each chapter of the booklet highlights a key area that a small business needs to examine and sets out a survival plan to follow, assisting businesses (33)____anticipate problems and be better prepared. The bank has published the guide as it is keen to help its customers survive and thrive no (34)____ what the climate. The guide should allow them to consider the issues facing business and to understand the way in (35)____ their customer's attitudes and values are likely to change if times do get hard.
(36)____the bank does not believe that we are on the verge of entering a recession, many businesses are facing a slowdown. In (37)_____a climate, cashflow is crucial. Just (38)____ cars do not run without fuel, so firms do not run without cash. Clearly, managers need to know how to make the most of their cash and how to avoid running out of it.
Small businesses are always on the lookout for information that is clearly and simply laid (39)____. This guide provides exactly (40)____, and is a must for every small business .
通过快速通读我们发现,这篇文章介绍的是一本给公司管理人员看的手册。
(0)题所在的第一句是考查固定搭配a number of (许多的,大量的),该词组后接可数名词复数,所以该空填不定冠词A (注意答案必须用大写字母填写,下同)。
(31)题:空格所在的部分是句子的主语,所以空格处填入的一定是名词性质的词汇,但名词是实词,所以只有代词可以选择。空格后of the major banks is 是重要的解题线索,is 提示读者句子主语一定是单数,of the major banks 提示出空格处肯定填ONE,one 是不定代词,在此处作名词用,表示单数概念。
(32)题:这是一道质量很高的考题,很多考生填WITH ,认为是固定搭配help somebody with something,其实这是剑桥考试中心精心设计的陷阱。解题的关键是要弄清楚句子的结构(句子类型和主谓关系):As a response to this, (31)____ of the major banks is offering small businesses a free practical guide to help them (32)____ problems should occur.该句含两个谓语动词成分is offering 和should occur, 这表明该句一定不是简单句,因为简单句只能有一个动词。通过分析两个句子之间的逻辑关系,我们知道后一句是个条件状语从句,所以填IF(LEST,ONCE也可)。如果填WITH, 则problems后应该加上一个引导定语从句的关系代词which (that)。
(33)题:此题考查固定搭配assist(help) somebody to do something,assist(help) somebody with something,所以该空填TO 。
(34)题:同样考查固定搭配no matter what, 故填MATTER。此条件句说全了为:no matter what the climate would(will) be。听过Boyzone乐队那脍炙人口的No Matter What 的读者会很自然地凭语感做对这道题。
(35)题:考查对关联词的掌握。根据空格前the way 和后面的完整句子(主谓完整) their customer誷 attitudes and values are likely to change if times do get hard 之间的逻辑关系可以断定空格后是一个定语从句,又由于空格前有介词in,提示考生空格处所填入的关联词作in 后面的宾语,这样只有which和whom可以填,由于先行词是the way, 所以只能填WHICH ,它是关系代词,作in的宾语。
(36)题:这是一道典型的逻辑题,难度很高,但极具参考价值,因为这是剑桥考试中心特别偏爱的考点。(36)____ the bank does not believe that we are on the verge of entering a recession, many businesses are facing a slowdown. 这句话中有两个谓语成分does not believe 和are facing 表明该句肯定不是简单句,由于没有等立连词and、or、but 等,它也不是并列句,只可能是主从复合句,所以空格处应该填入一个引导从句的关联词。究竟填什么关联词取决于是什么从句以及该关联词在句中作何成份。弄清楚句子的意思之后,可以判断出前后句之间有明显的转折关系。所以填 ALTHOUGH、THOUGH、WHILE或AS都是对的。
(37)题:考查固定搭配和介词的用法。介词后面一般跟名词或名词性成分(但是要注意,介词不仅仅可以连接名词性成份),由于名词是实词,所以in后面只能填代词。而空格后面的a climate提示读者空格处一定填SUCH 这个不定代词。
(38)题:此题与上面36题的分析方法相同,读者很容易弄清楚该句的意思和逻辑:正如车没有燃油就不能开动一样,公司没有现金就无法正常运转。显然前句是个比较状语从句,故填 AS。
(39)题:考查固定搭配 lay down 表“制订、规定”之义。
(40)题:该题颇有争议。Provide 是及物动词,后面一定要有名词作宾语,一般不能考虑实义名词,只有代词可选。结合上下文,该空可以填不定代词如:ALL、 EVERYTHING、THIS 等。
常见考点总结
为了帮助广大考生攻克这一题型,笔者把历年真题中的考点总结如下。
1、 动词(非实义动词)
1)系动词
系动词主要功能是引导表语和被动语态。请看真题例题:
例题1:It means that they _______ eligible for a grant of up to fifty percent of the cost of three-and-a-half day誷 on-site consultancy.
【讲解】这是个主从复合句,that 后面是宾语从句,该从句的主语为they,谓语成分为_____ eligible for,空格处必填系动词be的一般现在时的复数形式ARE,这也是个固定搭配 be eligible for(有资格的)。
例题2:Strategies that might ________ considered include establishing on-line or phone links with an interpreting company, hiring a native of a particular country on a contract basis, advertising for some with fluency in a particular language, and locating a foreign student on placement or at a local business school.
【讲解】该句中含有两个谓语成份considered 和include,由于文章基本都是一般现在时态,同时consider又是一个及物动词,由此可以推知答案是be动词表被动,might 后面只能用动词的原形,故填BE。That might be considered是一个定语从句,修饰先行词strategies。整个句子的谓语是include,后面estab-lishing、hiring、advertising、locating是动名词作并列的宾语。
2)助动词和情态动词
如果空格处于主语和谓语动词原形之间,一般考虑填入助动词或情态动词,如:might、would、should、will、ought to、have to 等等。请看真题例题:
例题:We have several appoint-ments throughout the UK and Europe and _____ be most interested in talking to you if you have the experience we are looking for.
【讲解】这是一个由等立连词and 引导的并列句,两个分句的主语相同,所以and _____ be most interested in 写完整了是and we _____ be most interested in,主语we 和谓语be most interested in之间肯定填入助动词或情态动词:will、 shall、would、might。
2、介词
空格后紧接名词成份,尤其是两个名词成份之间的空格处一般优先考虑填入介词。介词表明某种逻辑关系,而且很多都是固定搭配。常考的介词词组有:
needs of something、a plan for something、on the market、someone with fluency in some language、as well as (介词词组)、such as (介词词组)、consist of something、at the top of something、under pressure、on the board (董事会)、most of all、be willing to do、on the contray to something、act on something……
介词是高频考点,需要考生在平时的英语阅读中养成良好的习惯,对文句中的介词给予高度的关注。
3、代词
代词既可以作为名词,也可以作为形容词使用。由此可以推知,如果空格部分在句子中作主语、宾语或是定语,则该空格处填入的一定是代词,因为实义名词一般不予考虑。常考的代词有:he、 she、it、they、him、her、his、your、 their、them、there (表存现结构),this、 that、these、those,及不定代词如:such、 each、both、many、all、everything、 anybody 等。请看真题例题:
例题:There are two stages: the first stage, which lasts half a day, gives employers an understanding of the issues involved in exporting and briefs____on local language and export information centers.
【讲解】分析句子结构可知,and 引导两个并列的谓语成分gives employers和briefs _____,brief 做动词是及物动词,意思是“向上级简要汇报工作”,它的宾语应该是人,应该是employers,所以答案是THEM。
4、 冠词
冠词分定冠词the和不定冠词 a(an) 两种。作为考点一般考查习惯固定用法。请看真题例题:
例题1:_______ highest priority is given to old-fashioned airline values such as comfort, fast check-in and good food.
【讲解】显然这里考查了定冠词the 的一个用法:后接形容词或副词的最高级。
例题2:In fact, they are often quite _____ opposite.
【讲解】the opposite、the same、the top 等都是习惯用法,所以填入THE。
5、 关联词
引导从句的关联词是考查的一个重点,往往也是难点。解题的关键是分析出从句和主句的逻辑关系并确定所填关联词在句中作何成份。这里涉及到从句类型分类的问题。根据从句在主句中的功能可以将其分为六大类:定语从句、表语从句、宾语从句、同位语从句、主语从句和状语从句。我们就常考的引导定语从句、宾语从句和状语从句的关联词进行分别探讨。
1)定语从句的关联词
如果句子结构是:名词成分+_______+ 从句,则空格处一般填入关系代词that、which、who、whom、 whose,或关系副词when、where、why来引导后面的定语从句,究竟选择哪个关联词要根据空格在从句中所充当的成份来决定。如果句子结构是:名词成分+ ,+__________ + 从句,则一般考虑which和who,它们引导非限性定语从句。如果句子结构是:名词成分+ 介词+ __________+ 从句,则一般考虑 which、 whom 和whose。请看真题例题:
例题1:You are likely to have worked in a corporate environment before reaching a senior management position, during _____ time you will have acquired the self-discipline necessary to be successful.
【讲解】正确答案是WHICH,在此句中关系代词which作time 的定语,during which time相当于关系副词when,在从句中作时间状语。
例题2:At a different level, there are inter-company games in ______ teams from a range of organizations and industries come together in friendly competition.
【讲解】正确答案是WHICH,它是关系代词作in 这个介词后面的宾语,in which 相当于关系副词where,在从句中作地点状语,并修饰先行词games。
2)宾语从句关联词
如果句子结构为:介词或及物动词+______+从句。该从句一定是介词或及物动词的宾语,空格处一定是引导宾语从句的关联词。由于引导宾语从句的关联词种类复杂,具体名称难记,建议考生重点掌握that、what和if (表疑问)。请看真题例题:
例题1:This has been indicated by a number of surveys which have given business travellers a chance to say _____ they want from air travel.
【讲解】此句中say 是个及物动词,可以断定空格后面they want from air travel是个宾语从句,因为宾语从句中谓语动词want是及物动词,它后面没有宾语,所以空格处填入WHAT,它是个缩合连接代词作宾语从句中want的宾语。
例题2:The survey shows ______ team work ensured their final success.
【讲解】与上一题不同的是:team work ensured their final success 中ensure 这个及物动词的宾语已经存在了:their final success,所以空格处直接填连词that即可。
3)状语从句关联词
状语从句和主句的逻辑关系有很多种:转折、让步、因果、方式、程度、时间……这里篇幅所限,就不一一讲解了。解题的关键是辨清主从句的逻辑关系。请看真题例题:
例题:The problem is that business customers do not seem particularly interested in hi-tech entertainment and certainly not in working ________ they are traveling.
【讲解】通过分析句子结构和逻辑关系不难发现:they are traveling 是个时间状语从句。所以填入while、as、when都是可以的。
6、 逻辑词
这类题目具有很高的难度,上文真题剖析中的第36题正属于逻辑题。逻辑题的答案词汇可以是代词、副词、关联词等任何一种词性。解题的要点仍然是弄清句子的逻辑关系。请看真题例题:
例题1:It would appear that the main desire of most business travellers is peace and quiet and ______ more entertainment and business facilities.
【讲解】仔细分析句子的意思和空格前后的逻辑会发现more entertainment 和peace and quiet在本质上属于一对矛盾,entertainment(娱乐)的属性不可能是 peace and quiet(平静和安宁),所以答案为NO。
例题2:We will offer you _______ support associated with a multinational company with a sound financial base, but give you the opportunity to work from home .
【讲解】support(资助)和 opportunity (发展机会)在逻辑上是并列的关系,却用but引导了第二分句,这提示考生空格处所填的词一定使得前后句逻辑转折,所以正确答案为NO。
例题3:________ the object of the exercise is, as always , to maximise profits, the real benefit comes from the interaction within the team.
【讲解】同样弄清前后句的逻辑是解题的关键,the real 起到了很好的暗示作用,在逻辑上相当于in fact, actually等,表转折。所以答案可以是ALTHOUGH,THOUGH,笔者认为最佳答案应该是WHILE或AS,它们表示较弱的让步或转折逻辑关系。
总之,BEC Higher中的单词填空题有很强的规律性,希望广大考生能熟练掌握上文中提到的考点,考出理想的成绩。 |
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