―Writing―TOEFL iBTの勉強方法

TOEFL iBTの4スキルの一つであるWritingの勉強方法について今日はお伝えします。

Writingでは、あるトピックを読んだうえで教授の短い講義を聞き、自分の考えとして、トピックについて賛成の立場をとるか反対の立場をとるかなどを書いていきます。

英語のWritingですので、論理的な構造をもった文章を書く必要があります。論理的な構造といっても、単時間に書き上げるのはなかなか難しいです。そこで私が学んだ方法は、テンプレートをあらかじめ記憶して、有無を言わさずそのテンプレートを優先的に入力画面に打ち込む方法です。

例えば以下のwriting essayを見てください。ボールドにした表現をあらかじめ記憶します。記憶したテンプレートを入力したのち、テンプレートの間の表現を埋めていきます。この方法であれば、論理的な構造は確立できていますので、大きな失点にはなりにくいです。あとは、テンプレート間の表現をなるべく濃く埋めていくことです。

In contrast to the reading passage, which emphasizes the qualities of Rococo art that led to its critical dismissal, the lecturer focuses on redeeming characteristics of the style. The professor disagrees with the text about the significance of the art’s aristocratic audience, subject matter, and use of elaborate decoration.

The passage explains that Rococo art was often created for aristocratic buyers who ignored the poor, but social changes in Europe created an environment that was hostile toward those who catered to the ruling class. However, the professor points out that most art throughout history was actually created for wealthy patrons; Rococo art is not totally unique in that regard. What’s more, she mentions that Rococo artists sometimes worked on public places, like churches, which were clearly not designed for the wealthy alone.

The second point that the professor makes has to do with the subject matter of Rococo art. According to the text, Rococo style was interested in simple leisure and decoration rather than deep philosophical ideas. However, the professor contradicts this by sayingthat Rococo artists put subtlety and sophistication into their work. She gives an example of a painting that depicts three people whose relationships can be inferred just by the details of their facial expressions and postures. She believes that this shows unexpected depth.

Finally, in contrast to the reading passage’s claim that Rococo style is too elaborate, the professor reminds the students that this is a purely subjective point. Others appreciate the more difficult techniques and experimentation used in the paintings.