朗阁海外考试研究中心 易文君
雅思听力的每段录音平均为6-7分钟，大约为700-800单词，在比较冗长的语段中，说话人肯定会以重点探讨的话题作为语言全面展开的重点，所以对听力文稿中信号词的定位可以为我们解题起到一种很好的指导，可以让我们主动找答案地听，而不是被动地听。
1. 转折信号词 Contrasting Signals
but, on the contrary, instead, however, in spite of, by contrast, while, despite, unfortunately, although, while, on the other hand, though, whereas, otherwise
例如：剑6 Test 2 Section 4
One major problem with the first system was that C
A. only one person could be filmed
B. people could only see very short films
C. the camera was very heavy
录音原文：There were, however, a couple of problems with the system. The camera weighed over 200 kilograms and only one person at a time could see the film.
分析：语意表示转折的信号词的出现往往提示说话人即将表达自己对某些事情的真实看法，在此之前的信息被转折之后的信息覆盖，在转折信号词之前的信息往往是语段中的干扰信息。
2. 肯定强调信号词 Positive Signals
in fact, actually, to tell you the truth, indeed, to be frank, the truth is that, must, certainly, it is likely that …
例如：剑7 Test 4 Section 2
Area Facility Activity
The Mangroves boardwalk 18_________
录音原文：The Mangroves have been made more accessible to visitor by the boardwalk built during the park’s upgrade. You’d think that people would come here to look at the unusual plant life of the area, but in fact it’s more often used for cycling and is very popular with the local clubs.
分析：说话人在表明观点的时候，往往会因为某些内容相对关键或重要，为了提示收听者特别重点的信息马上就要到来，多会使用一些肯定性质强烈或反复强调的表达方式，这时要优先注意强调信号词后面的信息，作为答案的可能性会比较大。
3. 否定关系信号词 Negative Signals
no, not, none, never, neither, nor, seldom, scarcely, barely, rather than, instead of, hardly, rarely, too…to, few, little, at no time, by no mean
例如：剑8 Test 2 Section 4
Shona says that in her questionnaire her aim was ______.
A. to get a wide range of data
B. to limit people’s responses
C. to guide people through interviews
录音原文：I specifically wanted to do a questionnaire, interviews with a focus group. With the questionnaire, rather than limiting it to one specific point, I wanted to include as much variety as possible.
分析：在正确信息出现的同时，往往会伴随着干扰信息，所以听题时可以借助否定信号词来进行排除，以确保答案万无一失。
4. 表示解释说明 Explanation
It says/shows, the meaning is that, what I mean/mention, that is to say, in other words, Let me put it this way, it means that, another way of saying, the point is that
例如：剑6 Test 1 Section 4
5th-10th centuries new technology allowed the production of goods made of 32 ______ and ______
录音原文：The technology they introduced meant that metal and leather goods were produced there for the first time.
分析：解释说明的信号词重点在于解释一些听者可能理解困难的内容，或者重复某重要的信息，当信息被反复解释或强调时，作为正确的答案的可能性会比较大，所以同学们要多加注意。
5. 表示例证关系 Illustration
For instance, Let’s take, A case in point, For example, An example of this is, In that case, suppose, Such as
例如：According to the speaker, George viewed Rosewood House as ______.
A. a rich source of material for his books
B. a way to escape from his work
C. a typical building of the region
录音原文：Moving to Rosewood allowed the family to start a new life. George regarded Rosewood as a pure example of a traditional country house of this part of England and did some of his most successful writing here.
分析：例证信号词主要是用具体事例形象化地解释或阐述道理，当我们对说话人阐述的内容不理解时，就可以利用所提供的例子来帮助找答案。
6. 表示因果关系 Cause and Effect
Because, so, since, result in, because of, as, thus, due to, for, therefore, owing to, lead to, consequently, for this reason, as a result of, resulting from
例如：剑6 Test 2 Section 4
Longer films were not made at the time because of problems involving ______
A. the subject matter
B. the camera
C. the film projector
录音原文：A continuing problem at the time was that the films had a tendency to break when they were being played a problem which was caused by the tension between the two wheels, or reels as they are called, which hold the films.
分析：对于用为什么提问的题目，把握表示因果关系的信号词对于定位答案很关键。
7. 表示序列关系 Semantic Markers for listing
Firstly (first), to begin with, next, secondly (second), last but not least, What’s more, thirdly, finally, furthermore, In the first place, For one thing, also, my next point is, for another, In addition
例如：剑5 Test 1 Section 4
According to George Bernard Shaw, men are supposed to understand _____, economics and finance. However, women are more prepared to ______ about them.
录音原文：Back in 1928 the British writer George Bernard Shaw wrote in his Intelligent Women’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism that A man is supposed to understand politics, economics and finance and is therefore unwilling to accept essential instructions. He also said, A woman, having fewer pretentions, is far more willing to learn.
分析：在很长的独白中，说话人一般都会很有条理地介绍或陈述一些事实和观点，表示序列的信号词可以帮助承上启下，帮助我们定位整个语段。
8. 表示归纳关系 Semantic markers for summary
To summarize, In short, It amounts to this, Sum up, In brief, In a word, What I have been saying is this, In conclusion, On the whole, To conclude, Thus
例如：剑7 Test 3 Section 4
What is the impact of the outside environment on a hotel guest?
A. it has a considerable effect
B. it has a very limited effect
C. it has no effect whatsoever
录音原文：And the research concluded that what was outside the hotel building simply didn’t matter.
分析：归纳信号词一般在录音结束时表示对某一方面的阐述，相当于对重点信息的再一次重复，所以能否捕捉到这类信号词是最后抓住答案信息的机会。
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