主題句作文
主題句作文是CET-4寫作中常見的一種作文形式。這是一種控制性作文，旨在控制考生的寫作範圍，要求考生按所給每個段落的第一句續寫，完成各段落，但同時它也為考生提供了段落擴展的有利條件，有利於考生在文章的結構和內容安排上不出偏差。因此，主題句作文審題的主要任務之一是審段首句。審題時抓住各段首句的關鍵字語，仔細斟酌每個段首句的內涵和外延，並把段首句同文章的標題聯繫起來分析，找出標題與各段首句之間的關係，以確定段落的擴展方式和材料的篩選。在具體寫作時要以段首句為線索，合理安排有關材料或細節，將段落充分展開，並保證各段落在意義上連成一體，形式上互為統一，語氣上一氣呵成，否則就會偏離主題。下面以1989年6月的作文“What Would Happen If There Were No Power?”為例：
What Would Happen If There Were No Power
1. Ever since early this century, electricity has become an essential part of our modern life.
2. If there were no electric power,
3. Therefore
第一個段首句所包含的信息是：電在現代生活中的作用。句中的關鍵字是an essential part of our modern life， 即該段的中心思想。因此，可通過舉例、說明、分析等手法擴展完成該段落，闡明電在現代生活中的作用。
Ever since early this century, electricity has become an essential part of our modern life. It is much used in both our life and production. We use electricity to light our houses, carry our messages through space, work computers, show us the inside of our bodies, and drive all kinds of machines, such as washing machines, air conditioners, pumping stations and various machines on the production line.
第二段“If there were no electric power”這是一個主從複合句，雖然只給出了從句部分，但它表明該段與第一段是轉折關係。因此，第二段應寫成與第一段意思相反，形成對照的一個段落，說明“如果沒有電”，現代生活將會是什麼樣。
If there were no electric power, the modern world would be in great trouble. Many of our industries would stop production because the motors that power the machines would fail. The transportation systems would fall apart without a supply of electricity. Electric trains would all stop, and motor vehicles could not be operated. For the same reason, aeroplanes could not fly. Probably the worst effect would be felt on the communications systems. The telephone, radio, television and radar would be put out of action.
第三段只給出一個單詞“Therefore”，但這是一個信號詞，表明該段是全文的結論部分。因此，該段落應總結前兩段的內容，強調現代生活離不開電這一主題，並點明：必須節約用電和開闢新的能源。
Therefore there are two points we must pay attention to. First, we should save electricity and energy resources such as coal and oil with all our efforts because most of the electricity we use is produced by machine with coal or oil as fuel. On the other hand, people should also explore other sources of power, for instance, water, sea tide, wind power, and harness solar energy and energy from within the earth, and so on. Scientists have to discover a substance that will replace electricity.
提綱作文
如：1998年6月的作文“Numbers and Luck”
Directions: For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a composition on the topic
Numbers and Luck. You should write at least 100 words and you should base your composition on the outline (given in Chinese) below.
1． 有些人認為某些數字會帶來好運。
2． 也有些人認為數字和運氣無關。
3．試說明你的看法。
寫作標題及漢語提綱將短文定位為論說文。前兩段要求考生說明目前社會上對 “數字是否可以帶來好運” 這一問題所持的截然相反的兩種觀點。最後一段要求考生說明自己對這一問題的看法。當然，考生還必須申明自己持這種觀點的理由。
第一段：有些人認為某些數字會帶來好運。
我們可以從生活中找出很多例子來擴充主題。過去我們有“六六大順”“十全十美”之說，所以結婚都挑選這樣的日子舉行婚禮。現代人除了沿用舊有的“黃道吉日”，還發明了許多其他的幸運數字，其中最受青睞的要算“8”了。就因為“8”和“發”的粵語發音相同，有些人就把它奉為至寶，甚至重金求購。
Some people say that some numbers will bring them good luck. Take “8” for example. The Chinese pronunciation of the number “8” has almost the same sound as that of the Chinese character “發”, which means making a fortune. Therefore, many Chinese people spend a lot of money to get their telephone number or car number to include this number “8”. They believe without any doubt that the number will bring them money.
第二段：也有些人認為數字和運氣無關。
我們知道數字是數字，運氣是運氣，它們是風馬牛不相及的兩碼事。沒有任何一個關於成功的公式上寫著：成功=勤奮+機會+幸運數字。
However, others don’t believe that numbers have any connection with good luck. They think such an idea is only an ignorant and superstitious belief. A number is one thing, and good luck is another. They will say: How can you ever have any good luck simply because of some lucky numbers, even if you don’t work hard, don’t have good opportunities and don’t get along well with the people around you.
第三段：試說明你的看法。
我的觀點和大部分理由在第二段中已經提到一些，在這一段中肯定不能再重複這些理由。根據對大量範文的觀察，在所有這類要求在談了正反兩方面觀點之後表明“我”的觀點的段落中，作者都要先亮明觀點（段落主題），後重申理由（發展主題），最後以表決心、提建議、發號召作為全段（實際也是全文）的結論。這樣就可以寫些 “每個人的命運都掌握在自己的手中”、“只有勤奮才能成功”等來表述自己的決心。
So far as I am concerned, I agree with the latter. Obviously, such belief is only a kind of superstition. Perhaps it holds true for some cases, but often it does not. Numbers can never bring good luck to a person at all and our fortune is in our own hands. Therefore, everyone can have good fortune only if he tries his best. Let’s always remember “Opportunities are only for the prepared mind” and “No pains, no gains.”
圖表作文
圖表作文只出現過兩次，即1991年6月的Changes in People’s Diet (人們飲食狀況的變化)和2002年6月的Student Use of Computers（學生使用計算機）。圖表作文要求用恰當、準確的文字來解釋說明圖表。其目的是通過對所給數據進行比較分析，從中找出某種規律或得出一個結論。故圖表作文實質上是說明文和議論文甚至描述文（需要對圖表描述）等體裁的結合體。根據所給提綱條目，第一段需先用描述文的寫作方式將圖表內的重要數據用語言表達清楚，然後在第二段內分析圖表所表現出的觀點，即論證該觀點。第三段為結尾段，即重申圖表所揭示的問題，做出合理可信的預言。
以1991年6月Changes in People＇s Diet 為例：
Outline:
1．State the changes in people’s diet in the past five years.
2．Give possible reasons for the changes.
3．Draw your own conclusions.
YearFood 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Grain 49% 47% 46.5% 45% 45%
Milk 10% 11% 11% 12% 13%
FruitVegetable 24% 22% 20% 20% 21%
Meat 17% 20% 22.5% 23% 21%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
這是一篇圖表附提綱作文。圖表作文的寫作過程通常是讀圖 — 整理素材 — 擬訂提綱。本試題既給了標題和統計表，又給出了提綱。因此，寫作過程就可縮減為緊扣主題讀圖 — 按所給提綱的要求分析、整理和歸納圖表的數據。
第一段和第二段的要點分別為“陳述變化”和“分析產生這些變化的原因”，從整體上講是因果關係。第三段雖然給作者一個自由發揮的空間，但也應該緊扣圖表的規律做出自己的結論。
第一段：通過對圖表做簡要的描述，點出圖表中所揭示的問題。從年1986到1990年這5年裡，人們的飲食發生了很大的變化，象對牛奶、肉這些營養豐富的食品的消費增加了，而糧食的消費減少了。
As we can see from the table, great changes have taken place in people’s diet over the period from 1986 to 1990. While more and more high-nutrition foods such as milk and meat are consumed by people, the amount of grain consumption, once the main or even the only food for Chinese people, is continuously decreased.
第二段：本段需要分析人們食物結構發生變化的原因。人們食物結構發生變化主要有兩大原因：第一，隨著經濟的發展人們富了，能消費起高能量的食物；第二，人們開始注意食物的合理搭配對身體的健康有益。
There are several reasons for such changes. Firstly, with the development of our country’s economy, people become more and more wealthy, so they can afford to buy expensive high-energy food. Secondly, nowadays, people believe that certain amount of high-nutrition food is quite necessary to their health. In order to keep their body healthy, they should add nutritious food to their traditional diet.
第三段：按提綱的要求，這一段是結尾段，即結論。通過對人們飲食變化的分析，得出的結論是：人們的生活條件得到了改善，希望人們將來的飲食結構更科學，更合理。
So, from the above table, we can see that people’s living conditions have greatly improved, and we can hope for a more scientific and reasonable diet for Chinese people in the future.
信件
信件出現過兩次，即2001年6月和2002年6月，分別寫給一位朋友和一位校長。這兩次的作文都給出了信的格式，只要根據所給出的提綱寫出信的正文就可以了。正文的開頭一般是寫信的目的或寒暄；正文中間部分敘述寫信人的要求和要達到的目的；結束部分是祝願及結束敬語。
以2001年6月的作文為例：A Letter
For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter. Suppose you are Zhang Ying. Write a letter to Xiao Wang, a schoolmate of yours who is going to visit you during the week-long holiday. You should write at least 100 words according to the suggestions given below in Chinese:
提綱：
1．表示歡迎。
2．提出對假期安排的建議。
3．提醒應注意的事項。
信的開始表示歡迎。
I am delighted to learn that you are going to visit me during the week-long holiday. My parents will also be happy to see you again. I am sure you will enjoy every minute of your stay here.
第二段：提出對假期的安排，你喜歡游泳，我家附近正好有一條河，我們還可以看電視，玩遊戲，爬山。
I have made a rough plan so that we can enjoy the seven-day holiday in a leisurely way. I know you are fond of swimming. Therefore, we can go swimming in the river that lies not far away from my home. I think it would be very pleasant and refreshing to swim in such hot summer days. Besides swimming, we can go climbing a mountain. A mountain about two miles away from here is beautiful and it is worth climbing. We can go there on foot. When we climb to the top of the mountain, we can have a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the whole village. If it is so hot that you don’t want to stay in the open air, we can stay at home. As in every big room of my home there is an air-conditioner, we can watch TV, play VCDs or read books very comfortably.
最後提醒應注意的事項，到了後通知我，不用帶東西，我已為你準備好一切。
But remember to phone me before you set off. There is no need for you to take anything along, since I’ll have prepared everything for you by your arrival.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
第二節問題概述
從歷年來考生的應試情況來看，成績並不令人滿意，大多數考生的得分達不到及格的水平（9分左右）。經過分析可以發現其主要原因在於：（1）大多數考生接受的專門的英語寫作訓練太少，寫作方面的基本功仍然很差；（2）考生在複習應考時過多地把注意力集中在辭彙、語法和閱讀方面，忽視了英語寫作訓練，對英語寫作的基本方法和技巧的掌握不夠。通過對歷年來考生應試情況的分析發現，考生寫作方面主要存在下列問題：
1. 審題不準確
由於考試時間的限制，在審題上不可能花費太多的時間，再加上有的考生緊張，在審題時沒有把握住短文的中心內容，結果寫了半天，還讓人不知所云，或對中心內容的理解有偏差。
例如2000年1月的作文題
How I Finance my College Education
1．上大學的費用（tuition and fees）可以通過各種途徑解決。
2．哪種途徑適合於我（說明理由）。
有同學寫到：
While the cost of college education has risen sharply in the past few years, students have several ways to pay for their college tuition and fees. First, they may depend on their parents. Many students do not like this way because they think, as college students, they are now responsible for themselves. They generally turn to part-time jobs for their economic independence, and this is the second way for them to pay for tuition and fees. Third, some excellent students can win a yearly scholarship which will solve this problem well. I believe this is the best way since they will become successful in both their study and their life. Lastly, banks will offer poor students low-interest loans so that students can put their hearts into the study and repay the banks in the future.
As for me, I choose to take a part-time job. Then I can finance my college education by myself.
此篇文章忽視了題目是“How I Finance my College Education”，中心是“我”的計畫，應該圍繞“我”如何籌措上大學的費用，把重點放在第二段而不是第一段。改後的文章為：
While the cost of college education has risen sharply in the past few years, students have several ways to pay for their college tuition and fees. Mostly their parents will pay. Many students may find a part-time job. Excellent students can win a yearly scholarship and poor students will easily get low-interest loans from banks.
As for me, I choose to take a part-time job. I do not want my parents to pay for my college education since I have grown up. In the future I will have to live by myself, supporting my own family and my parents. And a part-time job is the right step I should take. Besides, I may get more experiences through a part-time job. This is how I will finance my college education.
2. 忽視主題句
一篇文章，不論長短，應該是一個有機的統一體，整篇文章要圍繞一個中心問題，每一
段也要有統一的內容，才能滿足連貫一致的要求。在此方面，主題句起著很重要的作用，沒有主題句，段落的句子就缺少統一的內容。有的段落雖有主題句，但段落中的一些句子的內容卻偏離了這一主題。
例如1996年1月的作文“The Two-day Weekend”，第一段是雙休日給大學生帶來的好處，有的同學這樣寫到：
We have been thrown into a competitive society. Everybody around us is working hard to build his happy life, and if we do not want to lag behind, we have to work even harder. College students have to face competitions in both their study and their life. Several years ago it was said that they lived comfortably in the “tower of ivory”, but now they are living like workers bees. The problem is that they do not have much free time … .
這位同學的文筆不錯，也不是沒有邏輯，但寫了這么多，還是無法讓人跟“雙休日給大學生帶來的好處”聯繫起來。如果他先把主題句“The two-day weekend has given college students much freedom.”寫出來，再圍繞主題句來寫雙休日給大學生帶來的好處，效果就好了。
3. 不會使用過渡手段
許多考生未掌握好過渡詞或代詞等段落內的句子之間藉以平滑過渡的手段，致使段落結
構和整個短文的結構層次不清楚，前後不連貫，給人以支離破碎的感覺。
缺乏連貫性的段落在很大程度上是由於過渡詞的使用不當造成的。例如：
He was stronger than I am. He often protected me when someone wanted to strike me. I was cleverer. He often wanted me to make something like toy guns.
上例是由四個簡單句組成的，讀起來連貫性不強，有斷斷續續的感覺。如果使用過渡詞語標示出句間的邏輯關係，就會使其連貫性得到明顯的加強。第一句與第二句有因果關係，用過渡詞therefore連線可使前後更加緊密。第三句和第四句也有因果關係，用過渡詞hence銜接，不但可以避免therefore的重複出現，又能起到承接上文的作用。修正如下：
He was stronger than I am; therefore, when someone tried to strike me, he would protect me. But I was cleverer; (hence) he often asked me to make some toy guns for him.
4. 選詞造句的錯誤
選用詞語不當，或者句子結構不符合語法規則，有的考生儘管在語法部分得分很高，但
在寫作的時候，卻造出了許多具有嚴重的語法錯誤的句子。而且，越是一些基本的語法知識，例如，名詞的單複數，第三人稱單數形式等等，越容易被忽視。
例如1998年1月的作文 “Harmfulness of Fake Commodities”中的第一段“目前社會上有不少假冒偽劣商品。為什麼會有這種現象？”，有的考生這樣寫：
Nowadays, we are very worried to find out that there are many fake commodities in the society. Why is this possible? I think there are two big reasons: first, some manufacturers are greedy. They are willing to produce fake commodities. They may give their souls to the devil for money. Second, some customers do not have the idea of protecting themselves. After they are cheated, they only cry for a while and do nothing else.
這一段做到了意義基本通順，雖然沒有明顯的語法錯誤，但在選詞造句上仍需改進。把它和下面的範文加以對照就能看出其在選詞造句方面的明顯不足：
Nowadays, it is rather disconcerting to find that there are many fake commodities in the market. How has this phenomenon arisen? I think that there are two major reasons: first, some manufacturers’ greed for money has led to the production of fake commodities. As long as they can make money, they are ready to sell their own souls to the devil. To sell their fake commodities to customers is certainly even easier. Second, some customers’ awareness of self-protection is too weak. Having been deceived by the treacherous manufacturer, customers generally do nothing other than complaining for a while. They never have the thought of taking the cheat to court.
在範文中，“society” 換成了”market”，“this”換成了“this phenomenon”，使名詞所指的對象更加具體。”very worried” 換成了”rather disconcerting”，更能表達出內心不安的感受。 “reasons”一般用“major”而不用 “big”表示“主要的，大的”意思。
動詞“are willing to produce fake commodities”是因為他們“greedy”， 後邊用了動詞詞組“led to”把這兩個句子連線起來，更自然，更富有邏輯性。後文對前文最成功的改進是把前文的“give their souls”換成了“sell their own souls”， 一方面更貼切，另一方面和後面增添的“sell their fake commodities”相對照。此外，後文把前文的“cheated”換成“deceived”，“cry”換成“complain”，都表現了更豐富的用法和更準確的思想。
5. 忽視標點符號的運用
有些作文，通篇沒有一個清楚的標點符號，不論在什麼句子的後面，都是一律的黑點。
針對以上情況，建議考生平時應多熟悉英語寫作的常識與技巧，多讀一些範文，勤於動手多練，熟記一些常用的表達方法，這樣才能寫出上乘的作文，避免考試時出現錯誤。