導語：經過一年多的摸索，目前對托福考試的很多理解和看法基本定形。本文通過綜合多個權威資訊渠道的資訊(Official Guide，Teacher's Guide，Propell Workshop Manual，以及ETS高階專員Susan Hines的講解和對本人私下提問的回答等)，試圖為大家揭開託福寫作眾多關鍵問題的答案。
本文分為三個部分：其中Independent Writing Task 9個問題，Integrated Writing Task 6個問題，以及牽涉全域性寫作的3個問題。
Independent Task
Q: Independent Writing Task有沒有題庫?
A: 沒有，但是可以借鑑TWE的題庫。
"You will see topics very similar to these [TWE Topics] on the TOEFL iBT." [OG, P267]
Q: 準備Independent Writing Task需不需要專業知識?
A: "None of the topics requires specialized knowledge. Most topics are general and are based on the common experience of people in general and students in particular." [OG, P267]
Q: 寫作的時候，觀點重不重要?
A: "It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the topic; the raters are trained to accept all varieties of opinions." [OG, P267]
"I think test takers had better simply pick one side rather than straddle the fence." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
"Creativity is not necessary." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 是否可以通過增加深刻的邏輯和複雜的例子來掩蓋或者彌補語言能力的不足?
A: 不可以。
"If your language is hard to follow, your sentences are overly simple, and your vocabulary is limited, you may score no higher than 3 no matter how impressive your ideas may be." [OG, P260]
而且從例子的選擇上講，並不要求使用龐大、複雜的例子，儘管這些例子可能論證力更強。個人經歷就是一種很好寫的例子。閱卷人並不依據論據的複雜性來看文章。
"Personal experiences are common." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 可不可以使用前人的'模板(templates)來寫作?
A: 那要看你怎麼定義"模板"這個詞。如果"模板"指的是段落結構和文章結構，那沒有任何問題，比如"五段式結構"可能會一直是TOEFL文章最好的寫法。但如果"模板"是指背下來的，可以不加思考就可以套到任何題目上的段落內容，那就千萬不要這樣做。
Do not "memorize" long introductory and concluding paragraphs just to add words to your essay. Raters will not look favorably on wordy introductory and concluding paragraphs such as the following:
"The importance of the issue raised by the posed statement, namely creating a new holiday for people, cannot be underestimated as it concerns the very fabric of society. As it stands, the issue of creating a new holiday raises profound implications for the future. However, although the subject matter in general cannot be dismissed lightheartedly, the perspective of the issue as presented by the statement raises certain qualms regarding practical application."
"In conclusion, although I have accept that it is imperative that something be done about creating a new holiday for people and find the underlying thrust of the implied proposal utterly convincing, I cannot help but feel wary of taking such irrevocable steps and personally feel that a more measured approach would be more rewarding."
Likewise, raters will not look favorably on paragraphs like the following, which uses a lot of words but fail to develop any real ideas:
"At the heart of any discussion regarding an issue pertaining to creating a new holiday, it has to borne in mind that a delicate line has to be trod when dealing with such matters. The human resources involved in such matters cannot be guaranteed regardless of all the good intentions that may be lavished. While it is true that creating a new holiday might be a viable and laudable remedy, it is transparently clear that applied wrongly such a course of action could be calamitous and compound the problem rather than provide a solution." [OG, P259]
"I think you could use it as long as it is on topic." [Susan Hines, Dec. 2006]
Q: 閱卷人最主要看重文章的哪些方面?
A: Your ability
to respond directly to the question;
to take a clear position; and
to write an essay characterized by (1) good organization, (2) proper use of supporting examples, (3) sentence variety, and (4) correct sentence structures.
[Workshop Manual, P26]
Q: 5分和4分最大的區別在哪裡?
A: "Those that receive a score of 4 also have clear, well-written essays, but there are more flaws and the ideas are less developed." [Teacher's Manual]
Q: 詞彙和句式是不是越複雜越好?
A: 詞彙和句式需要一定的複雜性。
"Raters will also judge your essay based on the complexity of sentence structures and on the quality and complexity of your vocabulary. If you use very simple sentences and very basic vocabulary, you will probably not be able to express very complex ideas." [OG, P260]
但是，不是越複雜越好。
就詞彙而言，關鍵是表達的準確性。請參看OG第287頁的滿分範文1，評語中有這樣一句話：The writer does not use high-level vocabulary, but word choice is correct throughout.同時請參看Workbook第57頁的範文，同樣沒有big words，也是滿分。
就句式而言，關鍵是表意準確、流暢且能夠變化。但為了達到變化或者準確表達複雜意思的目標，出現一些複雜的句式是很正常的。但一味追求複雜是沒有意義的。
Q: 文字是不是越正式(formal)越好?
A: 不是。Independent Writing Task並不偏好formal expressions.只要能把意思表達清楚，並把問題回答好了，就行了。參見OG第288頁滿分範文2，評語中這樣寫道：the writer consistently demonstrates command of language and English idioms, especially by using various informal expressions ("Let's assume," "we would all agree," "can make or beak," "come in very handy").
Integrated Task
Q: 閱讀文章和聽力文章中共有幾種可能的關係?
A: There are three kinds of connections between the reading passage and the listening passage.
a. The listening passage that challenges the points made in the reading.
b. The listening passage that presents the reasons/ways the problem described in the reading passage is solvable or really not a problem at all.
c. The listening passage that supports the points made in the reading.
[OG, P252] [Workshop Manual, P41]
目前考的都是Contrast題目(只有一次考到了Solution，但也和Contrast差不多)，預計在不久的將來也不會有太大變化。根據ETS高階專員(Assessment Specialist II)Susan Hines [Dec, 2006]的說法，目前題庫中還沒有出過關於support的題目("Comparison is not available now.")，所以建議大家主要針對contrast題目進行訓練，偶爾也可以用朗文的光碟訓練一下solution的寫法。
Q: 閱讀文章和聽力文章之間一般會有幾點相關聯?
A: "Typically the main idea will be developed with three points." [OG, P252]
Q: 文章中可不可以出現自己對所談問題的看法?
A: "Remember that you are NOT being asked for your opinion. You ARE being asked to explain how the points in the listening relate to points in the reading." [OG, P253]
Q: 寫作的時候可不可以照搬閱讀和聽力中的原話?
A: 總的來講，照搬原文是不可以的。關鍵詞可以不變，但是整體內容必須被paraphrase出來，特別是閱讀材料裡面的內容。
"In English-speaking countries, you must follow the rules for citing when you use the same words of the original speaker or author. If you do not do this, it is considered a form of intellectual stealing, called plagiarism. While this may be accepted in some cultures, it is not acceptable in most English-speaking academic settings. Therefore, paraphrasing skills are important to learn." [TOEFL iBT Tips, P29]
"Restatement and paraphrasing is, of course, needed." [Susan Hines, Dec., 2006]
Q: 5分和4分的區別在哪裡?
A: "A response that scores at level 4 has many of the characteristics of a 5, but it does not reflect the content of the listening passage as accurately." [Workshop Manual, P45]
Q: 高分(5分、4分)和3分的區別在哪裡?
A: "The response may omit one major key point made in the lecture." [Workbook, P7]
"Response generally cannot receive a score higher than 3 if they do not address all three points and usually need to address two of the points of contrast." [Workbook, P11]
"Responses that earn a score of 3 respond to the prompt, but they are vaguer than either 4 or 5 responses. Some details might be incorrect or altogether missing and inaccuracies increase. This combination may cause the reader to be slightly confused." [Workshop Manual, P46]
All Writing Tasks
Q: 高分(5分和4分)和低分(1~3分)在評分程式上有什麼區別?
A: 總的來講，高分(4和5分)的文章要符合評分標準上的所有要求才能評為高分，但是低分文章(1到3分)只要符合評分標準的某一條就可以評為低分。
"In general, responses should be scored at the highest levels (4 or 5) if all the score descriptors fit the response. In contrast, a response should be scored at one of the lower levels (3, 2, or 1) if some or any of the score descriptors noticeably fit the response." [OG, P267]
Q: 拼寫錯誤和語言問題要不要緊?
A: 關於這一點，我們要一分為二來看。一方面，我們沒必要吹毛求疵;閱卷人知道這是first draft並且是under timed condition，只要看得懂，不構成理解障礙，就沒太大問題(minor flaw)。另一方面，語法和拼寫還是重要的，一旦這些小錯誤導致閱卷人覺得難以理解，就會構成重大問題(major flaw)。
把"dependence"寫成"dependency"沒太大問題;偶爾把"becomes independent"寫成了"becomes independency"是個可以看到的錯誤，但還是問題不大;偶爾寫出"They prefer to be depended on their parents."這樣的奇怪句子也會得到閱卷人的寬恕。
"Occasional language errors will not count against you as long as they do not cause you to misrepresent the meaning of points from the reading and the lecture." [OG, P253]
"If your essay includes a few minor lexical and grammar errors, you can still get a high score. However, if you make a lot of grammar errors and if those errors make it hard to understand your meaning, you will get a lower score." [OG, P260]
Q: 字數是不是很重要?
A: 首先，字數沒有上限。
其次，目前字數會比以前更有意義，因為考試有計數器專門動態顯示字數，為的是讓考生對自己的字數做到心裡有數。而且兩篇文章都有了推薦字數。所以，我的建議是超過這個建議字數，雖然不用超過太多。(Integrated Task超過150，Independent Task超過300)
最後，關鍵是內容，而不是數量。不要為了求字數而導致文章很囉嗦。
"Suggested length is between 150 to 225 words. You will not be penalized if you write more, so long as what you write answers the question." [OG, P253]
"An effective response is typically about 300 words long. If you write fewer than 300 words, you may still receive a top score, but experience has shown that shorter responses typically do not demonstrate the development of ideas needed to earn a score of 5. There is no maximun word limit. You may write as much as you wish in the time alloted." [OG, P258]
"The length is not considered."