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标题: TOEFL iBT 115 - 如何提高英语阅读和写作水平 [打印本页]
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2010-11-14 23:19
标题: TOEFL iBT 115 - 如何提高英语阅读和写作水平
Most of us want to improve our English writing skills and need some guidelines of how to pull it off. First let me ask you guys: do you READ English articles on a daily basis? If your answer is yes, great! We can talk about improving your written English. For those of you who don't read English article that often, my sincere apology: it's very difficult to upgrade your writing skills.
Reading and writing go hand in hand -- one helps the other. Neither is easy as beans. For most Mainland Chinese students, the only serious work they write in English might be either the English abstract for his or her graduation thesis or writing samples in a TOEFL exam. Formal training in English writing is still confined to some elite classes reserved to students enrolled in tutoring programs.
As to the Chinese graduate students studying in western universities, they probably treat their Ph.D. thesis as the pinnacle of their career to use English writing as a tool to communicate research results. Boy, I remembered what a struggle that could be! In the twilight of my Ph.D. training when I started writing my thesis, I was caught flat-footed because I had been a lab rat most of my Ph.D. career and I didn't pay attention to practicing writing while studying for the degree.
Granted, I read scientific papers on a regular basis but my focus was on the experimental sections, not the way how to tell a good and engaging story with logic and rationale. In scientific research, data are critical. In the business world, as I later found out, explaining the data to a wider audience with style is more important. Luckily, my Ph.D. supervisor was kind enough to lend me a hand. He gave me a few proposals he wrote in the same research field and asked me to STUDY them. So I did while burning the late night oil. In the end, my thesis was well received by my advisory committee. A lesson learned: Reading definitely can help you write good articles.
Since then I have formed a habit of reading English articles while writing a few of my own on a regular basis. There are quite a few reputable English journals that might be of interest to English learners. Popular choices are BW, NY Times, WSJ, NW, The Economist, and Scientific American. At one time or another, I had subscription to or access to each of them as hard copies. Most of these journals have free online edition composed of at least part of their publications. You can also post comments to some articles as a way to sharpen your writing skills. When I read these journals, I always write down words I don't know and expressions I like to use for my own writings. In addition, I treat all the reports I need to write at work as writing practices. I usually polish my work three times before the submission.
It might sound offensive to some, but the truth is that most of English learners only complain about their inability to write English without ANY effort to look for help. When was the last time you asked somebody else to proofread your writings? When did you enroll in a writing class to become familiar with English writing customs? How often do you write a message in English on paper or online? When was the last time you searched online for answers to "How to improve writing skills"? I can reel off a long list of things you might want to consider if you are serious about improving yourself. But I would rather leave that daunting task to you for a good reason: There is tons of information out there on the web, and you have to separate the wheat from the chaff, including analyzing this post.
I do practice what I preach. Although I did not do a formal survey, I am confident that I am one of only a few members on this forum who write a long post in English on a daily basis. In addition, I might be the only member who modifies his or her posts when a typo is found or a better idea is warranted. If you want to become a MBA student or an economic Ph.D., wouldn't it be better if you start your writing drills NOW than LATER?
Don't pay lip service to hard work. You don't know who's swimming naked until the tide goes out! Start to put your acts together NOW. Read and write. Listen and speak. Then repeat!
作者: kiralin 时间: 2010-11-16 00:38
I have read this article by my whole heart and it is definately useful. Thank you very much.
作者: Big10usa 时间: 2010-12-20 13:06
It is very useful, and Thanks a lot !
作者: a29948363 时间: 2010-12-21 16:10
That is really a heartmoving article, and it's really helpful to me, thank you.
作者: wangyg85 时间: 2010-12-21 21:10
Many thanks!
作者: merlinus 时间: 2011-1-1 14:32
Thanks for your experience sharing!
作者: uncharted2 时间: 2011-1-1 22:47
It's a good lesson to my preparation for TOEFL & GMAT and my work.
Thanks a lot!
作者: JUDYLEILEI 时间: 2011-1-2 00:58
Sncere words arose sincere minds. Thank you.
And how about the listening section?
LOOKING FORWARD FOR THAT PART................
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-1-2 01:39
Sncere words arose sincere minds. Thank you.
And how about the listening section?
LOOKING FORWARD FOR THAT PART................
-- by 会员 JUDYLEILEI (2011/1/2 0:58:44)
Thank you for your kind words. I believe you might find what your want in the following link:
http://forum.chasedream.com/TOEFL_iBT/thread-499074-1-1.html
Good luck!
作者: 小cvv 时间: 2011-11-2 15:05
can I post this series by adding the links on the xiaoma.com to help more test-takers?
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2011-11-2 21:35
can I post this series by adding the links on the xiaoma.com to help more test-takers?
-- by 会员 小cvv (2011/11/2 15:05:12)
Okay.
作者: 非诚勿扰3 时间: 2011-12-3 03:56
Thanks for your sharing .
I learn a lot after reading this article , and i will devote myself to learning English.
Actually i read English websites everyday.
However ,i have not written papers in English since i graduated from high school.
Until now i make a decision to follow the pace that you tell us
thanks again and have a good weekend
作者: tangshincdx 时间: 2012-2-25 20:19
thanks for your experiment.
作者: yiayia 时间: 2012-3-13 23:38
Wow, I really have read most of your posts and been impressive on your attitude of learning English. Thank you so much, especially for your great answers about Gmat CR.
作者: lovecloris 时间: 2012-3-15 02:23
GOOD POSTS! THANKS SO MUCH!
作者: babybearmm 时间: 2012-3-26 06:32
Wow that was an inspiring thread! Thanks a ton!!!
btw: I see you have made a successful transition from the bench to the business world, and I hope to learn more from you since I'm currently experiencing this switch. You are my role model 
作者: aj900523 时间: 2012-3-27 19:15
You don't know who's swimming naked until the tide goes out!
Practice makes perfect!
作者: Crystaljoy 时间: 2012-4-2 12:50
Really impressive !
Thank you ,master~
作者: 雅宝2011 时间: 2012-4-8 19:30
谢楼主啊，我懂了，技巧以实力为基础，不能本末倒置。即使一开始看起来很难，我也要从现在坚持下来
作者: juno17 时间: 2012-4-9 14:47
really impressive
motivate me to get about woking on writing with my TOFEL test near the corner
:-)
作者: anitawin 时间: 2012-4-9 22:37
I guess i should log out and go on with my review right now
Practice makes perfect. What impressed me most is your perseverance on learning English. Just as the saying goes, Rome isn't built in a day. I will concentrate on my work and repeat it however boring it may be. Thank you again for your sincere words.
作者: 亲亲麦小兜 时间: 2012-4-15 12:56
That's cool.
Thank Gmat, I fortunately began to read NY Time everyday, taking a note of those unfamiliar words,as well as the expression I think useful.That really helps a lot.
作者: bestshanshan 时间: 2012-6-16 21:19
Dear MM， the last third paragrah "who write" should be "who writes" and thanks for your warmly suggestion to us.
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2012-6-17 00:53
Thanks you for the note.
Do you mean the following sentence?
I am one of only a few members on this forum who write a long post in English on a daily basis
In this case, the word "who" refers to "members" not "one."
Dear MM， the last third paragrah "who write" should be "who writes" and thanks for your warmly suggestion to us.
-- by 会员 bestshanshan (2012/6/16 21:19:36)
作者: bestshanshan 时间: 2012-6-17 17:54
Oh, i get it and sorry for misleading u. Are u keeping writing everyday? Your great habit really inspires me to take into action.Thanks again.What is your major?
作者: bluether 时间: 2012-6-22 18:31
SDCAR~
could i ask that are U a PhD in economics ?
as i am a sophomore in Econmics B.A. now and interested in PhD program of MIS or Econ.,it would be quite kind of you if you could share your career story...
but i suppose you may not be ...for the word " lab" aha,right?
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2012-6-23 09:21
You are right. I am a scientist and my interest is NOT in either economics or management. In fact, I may "disappear" after a couple of months . . .
SDCAR~
could i ask that are U a PhD in economics ?
as i am a sophomore in Econmics B.A. now and interested in PhD program of MIS or Econ.,it would be quite kind of you if you could share your career story...
but i suppose you may not be ...for the word " lab" aha,right?
-- by 会员 bluether (2012/6/22 18:31:11)
作者: babybearmm 时间: 2012-6-23 11:43
why "disappear"?
go to law school? i guess...
You are right. I am a scientist and my interest is NOT in either economics or management. In fact, I may "disappear" after a couple of months . . .
SDCAR~
could i ask that are U a PhD in economics ?
as i am a sophomore in Econmics B.A. now and interested in PhD program of MIS or Econ.,it would be quite kind of you if you could share your career story...
but i suppose you may not be ...for the word " lab" aha,right?
-- by 会员 bluether (2012/6/22 18:31:11)
-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2012/6/23 9:21:13)
作者: bluether 时间: 2012-6-23 20:25
You are right. I am a scientist and my interest is NOT in either economics or management. In fact, I may "disappear" after a couple of months . . .
SDCAR~
could i ask that are U a PhD in economics ?
as i am a sophomore in Econmics B.A. now and interested in PhD program of MIS or Econ.,it would be quite kind of you if you could share your career story...
but i suppose you may not be ...for the word " lab" aha,right?
-- by 会员 bluether (2012/6/22 18:31:11)
-- by 会员 sdcar2010 (2012/6/23 9:21:13)
for some experiment of military secret level? 
NO interest in either economics or management...all right、it would be unreasonable to see you here
whatever, it's our honor... many many thanks
good luck~><~
作者: Exousia 时间: 2012-7-28 22:35
very insightful.. thanks for sharing your thoughts
作者: 铁板神猴 时间: 2012-8-9 22:33
"Although I did not do a formal survey, but I am confident that I am one of only a few members on this forum who write a long post in English on a daily basis. "
Here, I think "but" should be moved away.
And this is the second time I've read this post, still inspiring! Thanks a lot~
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2012-8-15 10:00
Good catch.
"Although I did not do a formal survey,
but I am confident that I am one of only a few members on this forum who write a long post in English on a daily basis. "
Here, I think "but" should be moved away.
And this is the second time I've read this post, still inspiring! Thanks a lot~
-- by 会员 铁板神猴 (2012/8/9 22:33:41)
作者: 铁板神猴 时间: 2012-8-22 19:49
^^hi, sdcar~ I'm back again ...
Because I've read this post again and again ==, as a way to learn more from it, I found some place very confusing. It might be another minor error or just one I need to learn more thoroughly.
The idiom "I do preach what I teach", don't you mean either "I do practise what I preach", or "I do reach what I teach"? Cause I think the word preach is kind of similar to teach.
Actually, I am just learning how to write a decent work now, and I'd really like to use one of these concise and beautiful words/idioms in my article as you guys did.^^ So, I'd appreciate it if you could help me to figure it out. Thanks a lot!
作者: angelhxl 时间: 2012-8-29 12:56
what a good post on improving english writing skills ! well, i'm always disoriented about how to pull it off,especially in these days when i am preparing for the ielts ,but after reading this article, i feel ashamed: i seldom read the english articles except when i need to do some reading on a particular english test , and therefore it is no wonder that i feel so miserable as it comes to the writing section because of such a limited accumulation of vocabularies and expressions!
yep,it's time to start reading now !
作者: linyi958 时间: 2012-9-1 16:37
thank your sharing
作者: lvaptx4869 时间: 2012-9-11 00:27
yes，this article helps me to understand that we should do read English articles and summarize something useful for future purpose.
作者: garyliu 时间: 2012-9-11 19:36
Thanks. It's really inspiring. But, I'm wondering whether keeping journals is a good habit to improve my writing skill. I do know keeping journals helps me to sharpen my thoughts and expend my minds. Writing down comments after reading the columns ,however, could perhaps a better choice. I just cant figure it out. My writing is not that bad. How to improve my writing style or how to write like a real column writer is something that really drives me crazy.!!!
作者: d0gzi 时间: 2012-9-12 22:33
seriously i am sooo moved by this post...
as a year 4 English major student..i feel so shamed when reading this...
i only have 10 days left for my toefl test...40 days for GRE test.. seems that i have never really fought for my own life...always so lazy sleeping or hanging around with different people.. never really try to learn english well ..
anyway thank you so much for waking me up
作者: chengzaaaa 时间: 2012-10-6 15:17
Thx for sharing! It's so inspirational.
What you said about read and write hit me really hard.
Honestly, I seldom read english articles or website. I'm not an active reader. The only reading I do is probably reading passages in tests and threads in English like this one.
No wonder I feel like I can never write anything. There is nothing in my head!
It would be a miracle if I could write without much reading, wouldn't it?
I gotta start to READ and WRITE actively!!!
Hope it's not too late.
Again, thank you very much!
作者: zxppx 时间: 2012-10-16 15:53
将英语融入到自己的日常生活中，而不要只是机械地应付考试！Thank you!
作者: qiong8 时间: 2012-10-16 20:34
Thanks very much! love you!
作者: garyliu 时间: 2012-10-18 09:58
It's my second time read this post. What you said really pushes me up. Thx for sharing your experience. I'll work harder on my writing skills. Cheers
作者: alicezyk 时间: 2012-10-28 21:03
THANKS FOR SHARING. I am gonna share it to my friend 
作者: JaniceChia 时间: 2012-11-7 12:14
very encouraging. thanks a lot!
作者: tanxw1990 时间: 2012-11-24 21:22
benefit a lot
作者: 一笑奈何 时间: 2012-12-27 12:42
merci
作者: fightfor700 时间: 2013-1-14 19:00
强帖必须留名啊。。
作者: onlysun318 时间: 2013-1-17 10:30
Sounds great!! I really enjoy your wonderful article which gives a tremendous help. thanks again. have a great future.
作者: blairwashere 时间: 2013-3-28 23:57
what a inspiring article! Thx for sharing!
作者: 1547193354 时间: 2013-4-1 19:39
grateful for the guildline u bestowed
作者: julielie 时间: 2013-4-1 20:48
You are definately awesome! I read your articals on www.** as well.
作者: lyiuue 时间: 2013-4-3 20:39
Your articles makes me enjoy English reading, thx for sharing!
作者: 丶阳崽 时间: 2013-6-15 08:42
Thanks a lot
作者: peterlin123 时间: 2013-6-15 09:56
dude， that helps
作者: 晓野的野 时间: 2013-10-6 18:23
【 Although I did not do a formal survey, I am confident that I am one of only a few members on this forum who write a long post in English on a daily basis. 】
I am moved about that.
Thank you for your advice!
作者: huge5299 时间: 2013-10-17 16:31
大神你好。。。又见到你了。。马克之。。
作者: 潘giana 时间: 2013-11-2 12:13
thank you so much, i won't pay lip service to hard work！
burn the light oil....
this is a good essay, and i have learned a lot from you!
作者: 醒醒Shine 时间: 2014-2-7 17:43
For a long time, I only read in English and write in Chinese.
Honesly, I write pretty well in Chinese,but I definetely admit how poor my English writing is.
From now on, start writing.
作者: grover201 时间: 2014-5-5 15:22
Why did I see this article before !?
Thanks a lot for the poster!
作者: happyxgb 时间: 2014-5-5 19:55
Could you please recommend some tactics of effective reading since proactive reading requires techniques? thx!!!
作者: 晴日小妖 时间: 2014-5-5 20:06
Impressive.
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2014-5-6 10:06
铁板神猴 发表于 2012-8-22 19:49 
^^hi, sdcar~ I'm back again ... Because I've read this post again and again ==, as a way to learn mo ...
Thanks for the comment. I have fixed the error accordingly.
作者: babyaspirin 时间: 2014-5-6 10:46
Very inspiring
作者: zf8558 时间: 2014-5-6 15:35
it has really helped me
作者: xiaOt1993 时间: 2014-5-10 18:05
thank you for your words
作者: 巨子 时间: 2014-6-6 09:36
T_T 泪奔了。我什么时候也能写出这么长的文章该多好呀。
作者: stonejiang 时间: 2014-6-6 14:45
Impressive and thanks a lot
作者: astrid1992 时间: 2014-7-29 12:51
it is great~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
作者: sirlancelot 时间: 2014-9-10 22:40
I want to express my thought,but my level is low.
Only I can say is thank you,and I will practice your suggestion!
作者: optimism324 时间: 2014-9-16 23:32
Regards!PRACTICAL!
作者: 萝卜腿怎么了、 时间: 2014-11-20 09:37
Thanks. We definitely should devote more time to practising.
作者: rrx6658 时间: 2014-12-7 15:19
很受启发，路在脚下，蹒跚学步，呀呀学语。
作者: shuijing266 时间: 2015-1-19 22:23
This article makes me so exciting! Maybe I find a really useful way to improve my reading ang writing ....
Thx~
作者: liyao604 时间: 2015-2-11 17:17
竟然混了这么多年CD 还在！！！！
作者: oneonta666 时间: 2015-5-11 11:47
good to read. I think that people, who might want to improve their writing skills, will have to often read marketing cases and paper such as Harvard Business Review. It's really fun!.
作者: 其实我是蘑菇 时间: 2015-5-22 06:27
谢谢~lz 希望自己也能学习
作者: ceecime 时间: 2015-8-10 07:23
When was the last time you search online for answers to "How to improve writing skills"?
I suppose that search should be searched.
Anyway, such an amazing post!
作者: sdcar2010 时间: 2015-8-19 03:12
Good catch. Thanks.
作者: CarmenOU 时间: 2015-9-10 16:52
Kinda of harsh but really inspiring! It really help me take it serious to improve my English! Many thanks!
作者: zhangmengchen 时间: 2015-10-20 10:40
I don't know why, but I always afraid of writing an article. No matter how many essays I have recited. Maybe the the only demon that try to hinder my way is not the skills or other things but myself and my fear.
作者: LEON750 时间: 2015-10-24 21:38
thanks sdcar!!!!!!!!!1111
作者: 小美酱酱 时间: 2015-12-3 02:33
Thanks for sharing your own experience~
作者: rrx6658 时间: 2016-2-15 22:54
you are really a kind hearted guy.
thank you very much for your helpful words, practice makes perfect, that's great.
Maybe, everyone should try to write sth. everyday, and makes progress step by step.
作者: susie的 时间: 2016-5-10 23:01
感谢分享！
作者: susie的 时间: 2016-5-13 22:20
非常感谢楼主的分享
作者: ANGELINA666 时间: 2016-7-19 00:08
感谢分享！
作者: adsdsd 时间: 2016-8-31 03:26
前来膜拜大神
作者: Lynneeee 时间: 2016-12-22 22:05
THX
作者: 2tackle 时间: 2017-3-28 20:19
Mark一下！
作者: 噜啦啦biu 时间: 2017-7-2 18:48
Thanks a lot and I also memorize the websites that you post in this article
作者: Hkopen 时间: 2017-7-14 19:29
Mark一下！
作者: ruiw9092 时间: 2017-8-18 06:40
Do you look up the words you don't know when you are reading the article for the first time? Would you finish reading first, and then come back to look up those words? Thank you!
作者: olibuuuua 时间: 2017-9-7 22:18
感谢分享！
作者: 卷卷兔 时间: 2017-11-29 15:29
Thank you so much for your advice. Your advice is really helpful and pushes me to practice RIGHT NOW.
作者: jhtong 时间: 2017-12-13 07:38
I readed this article with my herat, it is very usaful for me, and it encouraged me to start to learn english again. Thanks a lot.
作者: Jason55 时间: 2017-12-25 12:37
It is very useful, and Thanks a lot !
作者: zhaoyanjingbj 时间: 2018-1-4 23:45
感谢分享！
作者: summerous 时间: 2018-7-9 10:23
That's really awesome. I need to learn the methods and attitude from you, and insist on doing it.
作者: tj_luo 时间: 2018-8-9 04:00
Pretty helpful! Appreciate!
作者: sunshine_Sep 时间: 2018-9-16 14:22
同意！
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