图画描述是考研英语作文中常见的题型,要求考生准确、生动地呈现画面内容,并提炼出核心寓意,许多考生在这一环节容易出现描述空洞、逻辑混乱或偏离主题的问题,掌握科学的描述方法,不仅能提升作文质量,还能为后续的论证奠定基础。
图画描述的核心原则
客观性与准确性
图画描述的首要任务是还原画面,避免主观臆断,若图中有一名年轻人站在岔路口犹豫不决,应直接陈述事实:“The illustration depicts a young man standing at a crossroads, looking puzzled.” 而非添加主观猜测:“The man must be facing a career dilemma.”(后者属于分析,而非描述)。
逻辑性与层次感
按空间顺序展开描述,如“由远及近”“从左到右”。
“In the foreground, a group of children are planting trees, their faces glowing with enthusiasm. In the background, withered forests stretch toward the horizon, forming a stark contrast with the lively scene in front.”
细节取舍与重点突出
并非所有细节都需要呈现,应聚焦与主题相关的元素,描述环保主题的图画时,忽略人物衣着细节,强调动作与环境:“A man is pouring industrial wastewater into a river, while dead fish float on the surface.”
分步拆解图画描述
第一步:整体定位
用1-2句话概括画面全貌,包括场景、人物数量、核心动作。
“This cartoon presents a classroom where a teacher and three students are interacting. The teacher holds a textbook, while the students display different attitudes.”
第二步:分层描述
- 主体部分:描述核心人物或物体的动作、表情、姿态。“The central figure, a boy in a red shirt, is crouching to pick up a fallen book.”
- 辅助元素:补充环境、道具等。“A broken ‘No Littering’ sign lies beside him, partially covered by trash.”
第三步:动态关联
通过逻辑词串联画面元素,避免碎片化。
“While two men are fiercely competing in a race, a third individual runs in the opposite direction, carrying a toolbox labeled ‘Innovation’.”
高频问题与避坑指南
避免过度解读
在描述阶段,切勿提前分析寓意,错误示范:“The picture shows a lonely old man, reflecting the serious problem of empty-nest elderly.”(“reflecting”属于分析,应删除)。
慎用模糊词汇
替换“some”“things”等笼统表达,将“Some people are doing things”改为“Three workers are assembling machine parts on an assembly line.”
时态与语态统一
通常使用一般现在时,被动语态仅用于突出受动者。“A wallet is left unattended on a park bench.”
高级表达升级
精准动词替换
- 基础表达:“A man is sitting on a chair.”
- 升级表达:“A man slouches in a wooden chair, staring blankly at a pile of scattered documents.”
比喻与象征暗示
通过词汇选择隐含寓意,如用“drowning in”代替“surrounded by”:“A businessman is drowning in a sea of paperwork.”
对比结构强化张力
“On the left side, a coal-fired power plant emits thick smoke, while on the right, wind turbines spin steadily under clear skies.”
真题案例分析
2021年考研英语(一)真题图画
画面描述:两名登山者攀登陡峭山峰,一人抱怨疲惫想放弃,另一人鼓励同伴继续。
高分描述示范:
“The cartoon features two climbers ascending a snow-capped mountain. The man on the left, wiping sweat from his forehead, sighs with exhaustion and points downward as if suggesting retreat. His companion, however, offers a water bottle and gestures toward the summit, his determined expression contrasting with the other’s frustration.”
练习与自查清单
- 自查问题
- 是否遗漏核心视觉元素?
- 描述顺序是否符合空间逻辑?
- 是否存在主观分析性语言?
- 每日训练法
选择新闻图片或漫画,用英文写3-5句描述,对照参考答案修改,推荐资源:《经济学人》插图、BBC News配图。
图画描述是考研作文的基石,需要刻意练习与反复打磨,通过系统化的观察、规范的表达和细节把控,考生能在考场上快速构建出清晰有力的画面呈现,为后续的论证打开局面。