很多考生被告知“连接词要多用”,于是每句话都以 However、Moreover、Furthermore 开头,结果连贯与衔接(Coherence and Cohesion)这一项反而上不去。考官看的是句与句之间的逻辑关系是否清楚,连接词只是其中一种手段。本文列出连贯与衔接失分的 6 个常见原因,每个都附修改前后的对照,最后给一段完整的修改示范。
- 判断关系两句之间是转折、因果、递进、举例还是让步
- 删掉多余关系已经清楚的地方,不再加连接词
- 改用指代this、such、these 加名词,承接上一句
- 检查推进每段的主题句是否对应立场,段与段是否在推进
官方标准怎么看衔接
官方评分说明里,较低的档位提到衔接手段不够、用得不准确或者过度;中间的档位提到衔接有效,但句内或句间的衔接可能有毛病,或者显得机械。可见“机械”本身就是被点名的问题,不是堆得越多越好。这里是概括,具体分档请以官方评分说明为准。
原因一:每句话都以连接词开头
连续几句都以连接词开头,读起来像在清点条目,而不是在推理。
修改前:
Firstly, public transport is cheaper than driving. Moreover, it reduces traffic. Furthermore, it cuts pollution. In addition, it is safer. Therefore, governments should invest in buses.
三个递进词 moreover、furthermore、in addition 做的是同一件事,读者看不出这四条理由之间有没有层次。
修改后:
Public transport is usually cheaper than driving. It also reduces traffic, which in turn cuts the pollution that builds up around busy roads. For these reasons, governments have good grounds to invest in bus services.
只保留了 also、in turn、for these reasons 三处,而且分别承担递进、因果和总结。用 which 把两条理由串成一个因果链,比并列四条更有说服力。
我们的练习里有个标准:一段里连续三句以上都以连接词开头,就要删减。课程也不设“每段用几个连接词”的数量目标。
连接词之外,6 分到 7 分的其他差别见雅思写作 6 分到 6.5 分怎么提高。
原因二:逻辑关系选错
连接词选错,比不用更糟,因为它会给读者一个错误的信号。先判断两句之间的关系,再选词。
| 关系 | 常用表达 |
|---|---|
| 转折 | however, yet, in contrast |
| 因果 | as a result, therefore, this means that |
| 递进 | moreover, what is more, beyond this |
| 举例 | for example, for instance, a case in point is |
| 让步 | although, admittedly, while it is true that |
修改前:Fast food is high in salt and sugar. However, people who eat it daily face a higher risk of heart disease.
两句之间是因果关系,却用了转折词 however,读者会以为后一句在反驳前一句。
修改后:Fast food is high in salt and sugar. As a result, people who eat it daily face a higher risk of heart disease.
原因三:重复主语,不用指代
不用连接词,也能把句子连起来:用 this + 名词、such + 名词 或代词承接上一句。
修改前:Many cities have introduced congestion charges. Congestion charges have reduced traffic in central areas.
修改后:Many cities have introduced congestion charges, and this policy has reduced traffic in central areas.
常用的指代搭配有 this trend、such policies、these measures。名词要选得准:它概括的是上一句的什么,就用对应的词。
原因四:主题句和立场脱节
每个主体段的主题句都要能对应开头段的立场。主题句一偏,整段的内容就和全文的论证脱节了。
假设开头段的立场是“largely agree that advertising aimed at children should be banned”。
修改前的主题句:Television is a popular source of entertainment for families.
这句话本身没错,但它和“禁止儿童广告”没有关系,读者要自己猜这段的用处。
修改后的主题句:Children are especially vulnerable to persuasive advertising because they cannot yet judge its purpose.
检查方法:把所有主题句抽出来,从上往下读一遍,看它们能不能连成对立场的支持。
立场本身怎么在开头段写清楚,见大作文开头段怎么写。
原因五:段与段之间没有推进
两个主体段说的是同一件事,只是换了说法,文章就没有往前走。
修改前:
- 主体段一:公共交通比开车便宜。
- 主体段二:搭公交的开销比养一辆车少。
两段都是个人开销,其实是同一个理由说了两遍。
修改后:
- 主体段一:公共交通对个人更便宜。
- 主体段二:公共交通对城市有好处:减少拥堵和尾气。
让两个分论点的角度不同,常见的分法有个人与社会、短期与长期。这样每一段都带来新的信息。结尾段重申立场、概括理由,不引入新观点。
原因六:指代不明
this、it、they 要有明确的指代对象,不然读者要回头去找。
修改前:Governments can build more roads or improve bus services. This takes years and a large budget.
this 指的是“修路”、“改善公交”,还是两者?读者无法确定。
修改后:Governments can build more roads or improve bus services. Building new roads takes years and a large budget.
要用 this 时,后面接一个名词会更清楚:this approach、this investment。
一段完整的修改示范
修改前:
Working from home can save employees a lot of time. Moreover, employees do not need to commute. Furthermore, commuting takes one or two hours every day in big cities. In addition, employees can use the time for other things. Therefore, working from home is good for employees.
问题:
- 第 2 到第 4 句都以连接词开头(原因一)。
- Moreover 和 furthermore 其实是在重复同一个信息:通勤花时间(原因一)。
- 最后一句 therefore 引出的结论只是把主题句又说了一遍,没有新的内容。
修改后:
Working from home can save employees a large amount of time. Without a daily commute, which in a large city may take an hour or more, workers can spend those hours on rest, family or study. This extra time makes it easier to keep a healthy routine, which is a clear benefit for employees.
改了什么:
- 删掉三个多余的连接词,把三句合并成一个带从句的句子。
- 用 this extra time 指代上一句的内容(原因三)。
- 最后一句给出了新的信息:keep a healthy routine,而不是重复主题句。
自查与练习
写完一段以后,对着上面的流程检查一遍。再拿下面这段练习:找出所有多余的连接词,判断哪些关系选错了。
Cars are convenient. However, they cause pollution. Moreover, therefore, cities should limit car use. In addition, public transport is cheaper. Furthermore, it is cleaner.
这类按逻辑关系选词的练习,我们的课程放在第 3 单元的“逻辑词按关系选”一节。前两章免费,可以先登录试学。AI 批改会指出具体的衔接问题,但 AI 可能出错,分数只用来找问题。
想检查自己的衔接,可以把一篇 Task 2 粘贴到雅思写作 AI 批改,免费试一次,注册后再免费批改 3 次。AI 分数仅供参考。