托福阅读高分策略之修辞目的题

修辞目的题（Rhetorical Purpose Questions）是托福阅读考试中较难的题型之一，为了攻克此种题型，就必须掌握ETS设计此题的目的和着眼点，熟悉做题步骤，以不变应万变。
一．修辞的定义
提到修辞，直接映入脑海的是比喻，拟人，排比等修辞手法；但是“修辞”中“修”指的是“修饰”，“辞”指的是语言，整体意思便为对语言的修饰，即为达到写作目的而采取的语言表达。

二．托福阅读修辞目的题考察重点
托福阅读中的修辞目的题考察的重点为“结构”，包括文章的整体结构，段落与段落间的关系，段落的结构及段落内部的结构。因此，在分析各种类型的修辞目的题时，应时刻把握结构的重要性，平时练习时强化结构的概念。

三．托福阅读修辞目的题出题形式
修辞目的题的出题形式包括：
What is the function/purpose of paragraph X in the passage?
What is the relationship between paragraph X and Paragraph Y?
How does the author organize paragraph X?
What is the main purpose of paragraph X?
Why does the author mention X?
The author mentions X as an example of...
The author uses X to illustrate/make the point that...
The author mentions X in paragraph 3 in order to....
四．托福阅读修辞目的题解题技巧
 A. 考察文章整体结构的修辞目的题
    此类修辞目的题的解题关键在于理解某一个段落在全文中起到的作用。
 B. 考察段落间关系的修辞目的题
    此类修辞目的题解题的关键在于把握各段主题及结构，进而理解两个段落间的联系，可以是提出问题和解决问题的关系，也可是否定旧观点和提出新观点的关系等等。
 C. 考察段落结构的修辞目的题
Example：（TPO 1 第一篇）
Paragraph 7: The proportion of empty space in a rock is known as its porosity. But note that porosity is not the same as permeability, which measures the ease with which water can flow through a material; this depends on the sizes of the individual cavities and the crevices linking them.

    11.  What is the main purpose of paragraph 7?
○To explain why water can flow through rock
○To emphasize the large amount of empty space in all rock
○To point out that a rock cannot be both porous and permeable
○To distinguish between two related properties of rock

本题旨在考察对某一段落整体大意的把握。本段只有两句话，第一句话提出porosity（多孔性）的定义，第二句话利用一个非限制性定语从句详细说明permeability（渗透性）的定义；但是第二句句子的主干就是 “porosity is not the same as permeability”， 即强调两个概念的不同，因此正确选项为 D。

D. 考察段落内部结构的修辞目的题
  考察段落内部结构的修辞目的题所占比例最大。为确保正确率，首先要先了解托福阅读典型的段落结构模式。
即    Topic sentence(thesis statement)
             ↓       
      Further explanation
             ↓
      Details/Examples
提问形式一般为，作者提出某个细节或例子的目的是什么？解题的关键在于找到该细节或例子对应说明的主题句是什么。通常最简洁的方法是找原文中具体信息前面一句话！
Example: (OG  Applied Arts and Fine Arts)
Paragraph 2: Sensitivity to physical laws is thus an important consideration for the maker of applied-art objects. It is often taken for granted that this is also true for the maker of fine-art objects. This assumption misses a significant difference between the two disciplines. Fine-art objects are not constrained by the laws of physics in the same way that applied-art objects are. Because their primary purpose is not functional, they are only limited in terms of the materials used to make them. Sculptures must, for example, be stable, which requires an understanding of the properties of mass, weight distribution, and stress. Paintings must have rigid stretchers so that the canvas will be taut, and the paint must not deteriorate, crack, or discolor. These are problems that must be overcome by the artist because they tend to intrude upon his or her conception of the work. For example, in the early Italian Renaissance, bronze statues of horses with a raised foreleg usually had a cannonball under that hoof. This was done because the cannonball was needed to support the weight of the leg. In other words, the demands of the laws of physics, not the sculptor's aesthetic intentions, placed the ball there. That this device was a necessary structural compromise is clear from the fact that the cannonball quickly disappeared when sculptors learned how to strengthen the internal structure of a statue with iron braces (iron being much stronger than bronze).

6. Why does the author discuss the bronze statues of horses created by artists in the early Italian Renaissance?
○To provide an example of a problem related to the laws of physics that a fine artist must overcome
○To argue that fine artists are unconcerned with the laws of physics
○To contrast the relative sophistication of modern artists in solving problems related to the laws of physics
○To note an exceptional piece of art constructed without the aid of technology

本题关键在于定位至原文后，发现关键词for example，明显的举例词组，因此对应的主题句就呼之欲出，即前一句话These are problems that must be overcome by the artist because they tend to intrude upon his or her conception of the work. 因此正确选项为A。

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