旧版托福题型
本题目来自托福考试的旧版本。当前托福已采用不同的考试结构。这些历史样本仅作为练习参考保留。
题目概览
阅读段落
On a recent New Year's Day, residents of a North American town awoke to discover that thousands of birds had died the night before and that their bodies were lying in open spaces and in the roads. The dead birds had apparently fallen out of the sky during the night. Some people suggested that fireworks in celebration of the New Year were responsible for the birds' deaths. According to this theory, the loud sounds of the fireworks had awakened the birds; the startled birds began flying in the dark, striking buildings, power lines, and trees. The fireworks theory was supported by several observations. First, the timing of the birds' deaths seemed to be connected to the fireworks. The fireworks were set off just before midnight, and some people reported seeing birds falling from the sky right at midnight. Second, examination of the birds’ bodies indicated a possible cause of the deaths. The examination did not find any evidence that the birds had been poisoned or that they had suffered from a disease. Instead, all the birds appeared to have died from injuries caused by impact, indicating the birds hit something at great speed. Such injuries would have occurred, if, as proposed, the startled birds had flown into buildings, power lines, or trees. Finally, most of the dead birds were the same species, red-winged blackbirds. These birds have poor night vision and generally avoid flying at night. Red-winged blackbirds would be particularly vulnerable to striking unseen objects in the dark. And since any night flying by red-winged blackbirds is extremely rare, only an unusual event, like the fireworks, would cause so many of these birds to take to the air at the same time.
题目
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用户样本与评估结果
用户样本
While the reading passage gives the three observations to support the fireworks theory, the lecturer argues that all of them are not convincing and gives specific reasons and details to support his opinion. At first, the writer mentions that the deaths of birds and the fireworks both happened at midnight. In the listening, however, the lecture disputes this idea by saying that the locations where the birds died were far away from the fireworks. Besides, there is no reason for fireworks just influence the birds on the downside. In addition, the author points out that all of the birds died because of the injuries caused by the impact. Yet the lecturer casts doubt on it because the areas where birds died do not have trees and buildings. Thus the birds may just strike to ground. Deaths will be also related to other reasons such as the air pressure and wind. Finally, the reading material contends that all the dead birds are red-winged blackbirds which have poor night vision and seldom fly in the night. By contrast, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that the rea-winged blackbirds are the most common birds in the world. Therefore it appears in many events. In this way, it is hard to say the dead species have something with the fireworks.
评估结果
1.子项得分 Task fulfillment: 4 Organization: 4 Coherence and Cohesion: 4 Language Use: 3
2.预估分数
25. 3.任务完成度
整体来说，这篇文章在任务完成度方面表现得相当不错。作者对阅读材料中的论点进行了概述，并针对听力材料中的反驳观点进行了详细解释。然而，文章在语言运用方面还有待提高。建议作者多加练习，提高词汇和语法的准确性。
示例1： 原文：In the listening, however, the lecture disputes this idea by saying that the locations where the birds died were far away from the fireworks. 修改后：In the listening, however, the lecturer disputes this idea by stating that the locations where the birds died were too far away from the fireworks to be affected by them.
示例2： 原文：Thus the birds may just strike to ground. 修改后：Thus, it is possible that the birds may have simply struck the ground.
4.文章结构与组织 这篇文章的结构和组织方面表现良好，包括引言、正文和结论。每段都集中讨论一个具体观点，并提供支持细节。然而，在段落之间的过渡方面还有待加强。建议作者使用更多过渡词汇和短语来帮助读者更好地理解文章的逻辑关系。
示例1： 原文：In addition, the author points out that all of the birds died because of the injuries caused by the impact. 修改后：Furthermore, the author points out that all of the birds died due to injuries caused by impact.
示例2： 原文：By contrast, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that the rea-winged blackbirds are the most common birds in the world. 修改后：On the other hand, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that red-winged blackbirds are among the most common bird species in the world.
5. 语法批改
While the reading passage gives the three observations to support the fireworksfireworks'(Possessive apostrophe error) theory, the lecturer argues that all of them are not convincing and gives specific reasons and details to support his opinion.
At first, the writer mentions that the deaths of birds and the fireworks both happened at midnight. In the listening, however, the lecture disputes this idea by saying that the locations where the birds died were far away from the fireworks. Besides, there is no reason for fireworks just influence the birds on the downside.
In addition, the author points out that all of theall the(all of the (all the)) birds died because of the injuries caused by the impact. Yet the lecturer casts doubt on it because the areas where birds died do not have trees and buildings. ThusThus,(Commas after conjunctive/linking adverbs in front of a new sentence.) the birds may just strike to ground. Deaths will be alsoalso be(This rule identifies whether a word has been misplaced in a sentence.) related to other reasonsreasons,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) such as the air pressure and wind.
Finally, the reading material contends that all the dead birds are red-winged blackbirdsblackbirds,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) which have poor night vision and seldom fly in the night. By contrast, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that the rea-wingedreassigned(misspelling) blackbirds are the most common birds in the world. ThereforeTherefore,(Commas after conjunctive/linking adverbs in front of a new sentence.) it appears in many events. In this way, it is hard to say the dead species have something with the fireworks.
Section Title: 6.文章修订
While the reading passage presents three observations supporting the fireworks theory, the lecturer argues that all of them are unconvincing and provides specific reasons and details to support his opinion.
Firstly, the author mentions that the deaths of birds and the fireworks both occurred at midnight. However, in the listening passage, the lecturer disputes this idea by stating that the locations where birds died were far away from the fireworks. Moreover, there is no reason for fireworks to only affect birds in certain areas.
Additionally, the author points out that all of the birds died due to injuries caused by impact. Yet, the lecturer casts doubt on this claim because the areas where birds died do not have trees and buildings. Thus, it is possible that birds may have struck the ground instead. Deaths could also be related to other factors such as air pressure and wind.
Finally, the reading material contends that all dead birds were red-winged blackbirds which have poor night vision and seldom fly at night. In contrast, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that red-winged blackbirds are among the most common bird species worldwide. Consequently, they appear in numerous events. In this regard, it is difficult to assert that dead species have any connection with fireworks. (215 words)
Section Title: 7.文章修订
While the reading passage gives the presents three observations to support supporting the fireworks theory, the lecturer argues that all of them are not convincing and gives unconvincing (changed "not convincing" to "unconvincing" for smoother phrasing) and provides specific reasons and details to support his opinion.
At first, the writer Firstly (added "ly" to maintain consistency in adverbs), the author mentions that the deaths of birds and the fireworks both happened occurred at midnight. In the listening, however, the lecture However, in the listening passage, the lecturer disputes this idea by saying stating that the locations where the birds died were far away from the fireworks. Besides, Moreover (changed "Besides" to "Moreover" for better transition), there is no reason for fireworks just to only affect birds in certain areas (rephrased "just influence the birds on the downside. downside" for clarity).
In addition, Additionally, the author points out that all of the birds died because of the due to injuries caused by the impact. Yet Yet, the lecturer casts doubt on it this claim because the areas where birds died do not have trees and buildings. Thus the Thus, it is possible that birds may just strike to ground. have struck (changed "strike" to "struck" for correct verb tense) the ground instead. Deaths will could also be also related to other reasons factors such as the air pressure and wind. wind (rephrased for clarity).
Finally, the reading material contends that all the dead birds are were red-winged blackbirds which have poor night vision and seldom fly in the at night. By In contrast, the lecturer disagrees with this notion by explaining that the rea-winged red-winged blackbirds are the among (changed "the most common birds in" to "among")the most common bird species worldwide. Consequently (changed "Therefore" to "Consequently"), they appear in the world. Therefore it appears in many numerous events. In this way, regard (added for better transition), it is hard to say the difficult to assert that dead species have something any connection with the fireworks.fireworks (rephrased for clarity).
8. Mind Map
Mind Map:
- Introduction
- Reading passage: supports fireworks theory
- Lecture: opposes fireworks theory
- Point 1: Timing of deaths and fireworks
- Reading: both occurred at midnight
- Lecture: locations of bird deaths far from fireworks
- Point 2: Cause of death - impact injuries
- Reading: birds died due to impact injuries
- Lecture: areas without trees/buildings, other factors possible (air pressure, wind)
- Point 3: Red-winged blackbirds' night vision and flying habits
- Reading: poor night vision, seldom fly at night
- Lecture: common species worldwide, difficult to connect with fireworks
9. Keywords
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation (if needed) | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unconvincing | /ʌnkənˈvɪnsɪŋ/ | adjective | not seeming reasonable or likely to be true | 不令人信服的 | The lecturer finds the author's arguments unconvincing. |
| dispute | /dɪˈspjut/ | verb | to argue or disagree with someone about something | 辩论，争论，质疑，反驳，否认；争端，纠纷；质疑者；反驳者；否认者；不服从者；不同意者；怀疑者。例句：The lecturer disputes the idea that the bird deaths were caused by fireworks. | |
| cast doubt on | /kæst daʊt ɒn/ | /phrase | /to make something seem uncertain or unlikely | /使某事物显得不确定或不太可能 | /The lecturer casts doubt on the claim that birds died due to impact injuries. |
| contend | /kənˈtɛnd/ | verb | to argue or state that something is true | 声称，主张，争论 | The reading material contends that all dead birds were red-winged blackbirds. |
| species | /ˈspiːʃiːz/ | noun | a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants; a particular group of things or people that belong together | 物种，种类 | Red-winged blackbirds are among the most common bird species worldwide. |
| worldwide | /ˌwɜrldˈwaɪd/ | adjective, adverb | /existing or happening in all parts of the world | /全世界的；遍及全球的 | /Red-winged blackbirds are among the most common bird species worldwide. |
| assert | /əˈsɜrt/ | /verb | /to state firmly and strongly that something is true | /断言，坚决地说；主张，声称。例句：It is difficult to assert that dead species have any connection with fireworks. | |
| connection | /kəˈnɛkʃən/ | /noun | /the relationship between two things, people, or ideas; a situation in which one thing is related to another thing, person, or idea | /关系；联系；关联。例句：It is difficult to assert that dead species have any connection with fireworks. | |
| impact injuries | /'ɪmpækt 'ɪndʒərɪz/ | noun | physical damage or harm caused by a collision or forceful contact | 冲击伤害 | The author points out that all of the birds died due to impact injuries. |
| air pressure | /ɛr ˈprɛʃər/ | /noun | /the force with which air presses down on the Earth's surface | /气压。例句：Deaths could also be related to other factors such as air pressure and wind. |
