一、萬能理由“冰淇淋”
如果考托福寫作時“ 無話可說”, 即思路打不開,可以從“冰淇淋法” ,即“萬能理由”的角度去想。這一做法類似于英語中所說的“頭腦風暴”(brainstorming),就是在短時間之內就一個作文題進行自由聯想,列出 能想到的全部觀點,然后進行分類(如一個事物的正反兩方面),供擬提綱和寫作之用。“萬能理由”共12 組(各組詞中的兩個詞是獨立的,之所以把兩個詞放在一起,純粹是出于方便記憶的目的),取各組單詞的首字母,得“iscrem”(其中c 代表4 組,e 代表3 組),發音近似“冰淇淋”(ice-cream),所以從萬能理由的角度打開思路的方法被稱之為“冰淇淋法”。也可以根據每組中文的第一個詞組成口訣: “獨立”(的)或“合作”(的)“知識”與“安全”“文化”“交流”“方便”“就業”、“經濟”、“金錢”、“環境”與“權利”。

二、實戰訓練成高能
例如,
Do you agree or disagree with the followingstatement?
An effective leader should try to make others feel that they are part of the decision making process.(2013 年1 月12 日考題)
根據“冰淇淋法” 進行自由聯想,可以列出下列觀點:
1. cooperation(需要與被領導者合作)
2. communication and trust (交流消除誤會、產
生信任)
3. time(溝通耗時間)
4. emotion (參與流于形式,被領導者其實完全無權)
5. interest(增強被領導者執行任務的動機)
按照對被領導者參與決策一事兒的正反看法可以對上述的萬能理由做如下分類:

根據上述分類,可以擬出下面的提綱:
Thesis statement(主題陳述):
Although involving others in the decision making process may have disadvantages, leaders are well advised to do so, for positive outcomes far outweigh the disadvantages.
Topic sentence of Para. 2(第二段主題句):
Objectively, there are some disadvantages to asking others to participate in the decision making process. e.g. The process is time-consuming and makes participants feel frustrated if their input is not incorporated in the final decision.
Topic sentence of Para. 3(第三段主題句):
On the other hand, there are more benefits to involving others in the decision making process.
e.g. The implementation of many decisions requirescooperation of participants.
Topic sentence of Para. 4(第四段主題句):
In addition, involving others in the decision making process enhances understanding of issues,builds trust and promotes motivation.
又如,
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Nowadays, more and more people are spending too much money on their pets, even though there can be better ways to spend money.(中國大陸2011
年11 月12 日考題—— 北美 2010 年8 月13 日考題)
根據“冰淇淋法” 進行自由聯想,可以列出下列觀點:
1. emotion。人可以與寵物建立感情(bond);寵物可以陪伴主人,填充人際交往與朋友關系的真空(pets fill connection and friendship vacuums);寵物可以滿足人當父母的情感需求(pets fulfill our need to nurture)
2. environment。寵物可能給環境帶來污染,如比較臟、比較臭(dirty & smelly),到處“方便”(隨地大小便,pets pee and pooh as they like),卻給人造成不便
3. health。寵物給主人減輕壓力(Pets are stress-busters—reducing stress),還可以保護主人(providing protection),但也可能傳染疾病(如狂犬病rabies)
4. money。人們競相給寵物購買昂貴的衣食(costume and food);養有些寵物,如藏獒(Tibetan mastiff)可能投入不菲(expensive)
5.time。必須時刻看著寵物(having to be around for them)
按照對pets 的正反看法可以對上述的萬能理由做如下分類:


根據上述分類,可以擬出下面的提綱:
Thesis statement(主題陳述):
Although some people do not think that it is a good idea to have a pet, I believe that it is beneficial.
Topic sentence of Para. 2(第二段主題句):
People who do not have pets may think that pets are dirty.
Topic sentence of Para. 3(第三段主題句):
On the other hand, there are many positive reasons for owning a pet; pets are stressbusters.
Topic sentence of Para. 4(第四段主題句):
In addition , pets fill connection and friendship vacuums and fulfil our need to nurture.
按照上述提綱,可以寫出高分文章。以提綱中的“pets fill connection and friendship vacuums”這一點為例(完整的范文請參見p199),可以展開成下列段落:粗體部分是可以學習的用詞,斜體部分是可以學習的句型;論證方法包含“對 比法”與“數據法”(請參見本書的“03 論證八法”)。
Moreover, pets fill connection and friendship vacuums. Americans have about a third fewer close friends today than they did 20 years ago— averaging two rather than the three they had, on average, in 1985. And though online connections alleviate some of that loss, we’re neurologically less satisfied by online friends than we are by personal contact. Pets provide companionship and connection that we need more than ever today. Dogs, in particular, also increase human social circles through gatherings at parks and getting out into neighborhoods more often through walks.
Cat owners also say they get plenty of emotional connection from their pets. In fact, nearly a third say they’d rather chat with their cat after a long day than anyone else, and 39% say their cat is more likely than a romantic partner to pick up on their current mood.
Almost 95% of pet owners say their pet makes them smile at least once a day. It’s no wonder that multiple studies show that pets lower blood pressure, alleviate depression, and boost mental and physical resiliency.
Given the emotional support, connection and happiness pets provide, it’s not surprising that people want to honor and reward them — often with goodies. (by Kit Yarrow)
又如,
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Automobiles have greater influence on society
than airplanes. (2012 年8 月19 日考題)
根據“ 冰淇淋法” 進行自由聯想, 關于automobiles 可以列出下列觀點:
1. expense (=money)
2. smog & noise (=environment)
3. traffic accidents(=safety)
4. can be beautiful(=interest)
5. fun to drive(=interest)
6. time spent commuting(=time)
7. ecnomic importance(=economy)
8. convenience(=convenience)
按照對automobile 的正反看法可以對上述的萬能理由做如下分類:

根據“冰淇淋法” 進行自由聯想,關于airplanes可以列出下列觀點:
1. traveling cost(=expense)
2. speed (=efficiency & convenience)
3. carbon footprint(=environment)
4. bacteria in the cabin(=health)
5. safest mode of transportation(=safety)
6 . l o c a t e d o u t s i d e a m a j o r c i t y a n d
additional journey time (=efficiency)
7. multi-functional (spraying pesticide,
rescuing, putting out forest fires, etc.)
按照對airplane 的正反看法可以對上述的萬能理由做如下分類:

根據上述分類,可以擬出下面的提綱:
Thesis statement(主題陳述):
Although airplanes impact our travel in terms of speed, automobiles exert a greater influence on our society with respect to their ubiquity and economic significance in addition to other benefits.
Topic sentence of Para. 2(第二段主題句):
Objectively, there are some advantages to airplanes. Speed is the hallmark of air travel.
Topic sentence of Para. 3(第三段主題句):
On the other hand, there are more benefits to automobiles. A country’s economy relies more on automobiles than on airplanes.
Topic sentence of Para. 4(第四段主題句):
In addition, automobiles provide average citizens with more convenience and enjoyment.……
根據“冰淇淋法”聯想萬能理由,從而打開思路,是解決“無話可說真難受”處境的有效手段之一。關鍵是平時能在分析寫作題目時練習這種思維,考試時就能“文如泉涌”。







