本书使用指南
以第一类“运动”为例。
第一步
扫一眼Part 2所有运动类的历年真题汇总。因为想搞定一个特定话题，首先要知道ETS都喜欢出什么样的相关话题。看的时候，注意扫一下运动类题目里，最常考的话题是什么。我们会把ETS常考的此类真题放在表格最上方，以便大家了解高频话题，锁定目标，然后各个击破。
第一类 运动
第二步
扫一眼每类话题开始的树状话题拓展图。每类话题都是由若干个小问题组成的。像运动这一类，我们一共提了14个小问题，包括：运动对我们为什么很重要？你平常运动的频率是多少？你通常在什么地方运动？你喜欢看电视上的体育赛事吗？等等。所以正常情况下，大家直接从第一个小问题按顺序学到最后一个小问题即可。另外，大家在扫读树状话题拓展图的时候，也可以看一下自己对于哪个小问题的回答最没底，然后可以优先去准备该问题的内容。
第三步
正式开始学习每个小问题的素材。开始前，依然是扫读一下树状话题拓展图，看每个问题下面的回答标题。比如，第一个小问题是：Why are sports important? 回答的小标题为：教会很多人生道理、团队合作、放松、减肥、交流+增进感情。大家不需要背诵每个回答，正如前言所说，本书想给大家尽可能地提供个性化的选择。
运动之所以重要，有的同学可能觉得是因为它能减压；还有的同学可能觉得是因为它能让我们学会合作，增进与朋友之间的感情。那么对于前者，就直接选择学习"放松” 下面的素材，而后者，则可以跳过自己不感兴趣的素材，直接学习“团队合作”以及"交流+增进感情”的素材。
如何最大化利用和学习每一个你感兴趣的素材？
在学习素材段落的过程中，大家可以选择直接背诵，也可以选择适当改写。拿“放松”素材举例：素材段落由三句话组成。第一句概括说明运动对于学生和脑力工作者来说是一个很好的放松方式。第二句给出一个具体化的例子，说在首都体育馆打场羽毛球赛，一定能缓解你工作或学习中的所有疲劳。第三句讲和一个能与你匹敌的对手大战以后挥汗如雨的感觉巨爽。
1.3 放松
Sports are also a great way to relax, especially for those engaged in
intellectual work, like students and office employees. A badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium will ease all your stress from work or study. Also, it feels great to sweat after an intense competition with a powerful opponent.
大家可以充分发挥自己的创造力，对原文进行改写。比如，有一位同学拿到这个段落后，发现根本就不爱打羽毛球，平时都是打篮球，或者喜欢跑歩。那么，完全可以把第二句的内谷从a badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium 改成a jog in the Olympic Forest Park 或者an intense basketball match in our college student fitness center。再比如，他可能并不觉得出汗很爽，或者他压根就不大出汗。那么第三句，可以灵活改为：并且，在战胜一个强大的对手后（贏得比赛后），感觉特别爽。最终，这位同学发挥创造力后，就创造出了属于自己的运动素材段落。成果如下，下划线部分为修改的部分。
Sports are also a great way of relaxation, especially for those engaged in mental work, like students and office employees. An intense basketball match in a college student fitness center will ease all your pressure from stressful work or study. Also, it just feels great to beat a powerful opponent and to win a match with crowds watching.
再比如，这位同学接着想学习“交流+增进感情”的素材。
1.5 交流+增进感情
Sports provide us with great opportunities to bond with our colleagues and friends. For example, my classmate Jason had not been close to our instructor in his freshman year. However, because they both love to work out, they became best friends when Jason was a sophomore，given their frequent morning interactions at the student fitness center. We all know the importance of maintaining a good relationship with our classmates and colleagues. So, it seems to me exercising is a great way to expand your social circle.
我们看到素材里的例子说的是同学Jason通过健身，拉近了自己与导师的距离。而这位同学可能压根就没健身过（笔者本人也从来不健身），或者觉得与导师拉近的距离很小。没关系，他可以稍微改写下文段。改成：我通过加入游泳队，认识了很多新朋友，成功地拉近了与同学之间的距离，并且还把同学发展成了男/女朋友。
Sports provide us with great opportunities to bond with our colleagues and friends. For example, I was pretty lonely and had few friends in my freshman year. So, I joined the swimming club, hoping that I can make some friends. I met a boy/girl, xxx, who also loves to swim. We soon became best friends and in the end, he/she even became my boyfriend/girlfriend. So, it seems to me exercising is a great way for expanding social circle.
第一个小问题的学习结束了。接着，这位同学来到第二个小问题：How often do you exercise? 这时，他想到自己平时基本很少运动，如果运动，也可能只是一个月1〜2次。那么在选择学习素材段落的时候，则可以选择直接背诵"不锻炼"，以及将“一周两次” 改写成“一个月两次”。
2.3 不锻炼
I rarely exercise. Sports just aren't the thing for me. I suck at sports. And I just hate sweating all over my body. In comparison, I prefer less intense activities such as reading, playing the guitar, or simply chatting with my pals.
这位同学在背诵完段落后，发现自己跟原始段落有少许区別，背诵后效果如下：
I do not exercise. I don't like playing sports. I am not good at sports. I just hate sweat all over my body. In contrast, I prefer less intense activities such as reading, playing the guitar, or chatting with my friends.
这时，他把自己背诵出来的文段跟原文段落进行对比，一句一句、一个单词一个单词地标出了区別。首先，他可以通过这个方法纠正语法错误。比如第四句，对比原文后，发现与原文的区別在于谓语动词hate后面的sweat，原文写的是sweating,而自己是直接跟了个动词原形sweat。这时，这位同学可能会很疑惑动词hate的使用方法，于是去翻词典，发现hate的用法有两个：
• [+ing Torm of verb]
• [+to infinitive]
那么，发现自己犯了语法错误，应该改成sweating或者to sweat，这样就学会了动词hate的用法。以后在口语和写作中就会注意该动词的用法了。
下一句，对比后发现原文使用的是In comparison,而这位同学使用的是In contrast。查词典后发现，这个替换其实没有问题，可以保留。
所以同学们在背诵时，也可以自己灵活调整，比如上面一个文段虽然第一句说的是 "我平时不运动”，但原文说的是很少运动，这样的一些改编，只要自己说得顺口，都是可以适当调整的。其次，同学们可以通过比对原文，来丰富自己的语言表达方式，比如第二句，这位同学的语言习惯可能是I don't like sports,但是通过比对原文发现还有sports just aren't the thing for me这样的表述方式，所以可以借此机会吸收一些地道的表达。
如此反复，大家便可以将剩余小问题一网打尽。简单总结一下，我们拿到任何一个文段（素材）后都可以选择直接背诵，或者适当改写同时吸收素材中的好词、好句、好细节。如果选择背诵的话，一定记得背诵完毕后跟原文一句一句进行对比，查找语法和用语地道性的问题。如果选择改写，依然还是要做到内容充实具体，并且没有语法错误。若有特定单词的用法不确定，勤查词典。推荐《剑桥英英词典》，用法写彳寻很全，条理性也好。
另外，再推荐给大家一个准备素材的好网站：Wikipedia。比如，我们学习运动素材中的第14个小问题“你最想学习的运动是什么？”时，我们看到回答有滑雪、骑马、篮球。但这时有的同学喜欢乒乓球或者台球，但素材里并没有写，怎么办？到Wikipedia上去捜索这些运动。比如乒乓球，查词典后得知是ping-pong或table tennis: 台球，查词典后得知叫pool或pocket billiards。这时我们登陆Wikipedia首页去搜索这些关键词，即可得到相关信息。比如，我们搜索pool得到以下结果。
Pool (Cue Sports)
Pool, also more formally known as pocket billiards (mostly in North America) or pool billiards[1] (mostly in Europe and Australia), is the family of cue sports and games played on a pool table having six receptacles called pockets along the rails, into which balls are deposited as the main goal of play. An obsolete term for pool is six-pocket. [2]
There are hundreds of pool games. Some of the more well-known include eight-ball (and the variant blackball), nine-ball (with variants ten-ball and seven-ball), straight pool (14.1 continuous), one-pocket, and bank pool.
There are also hybrid games combining aspects of both pool and carom billiards, such as American four-ball billiards, cowboy pool, and bottle pool.
通常百科里都会给出这个运动的基本规则、发展历史、装备，以及一些著名的球星。 TOEFL口语和写作里有时会需要我们给出一个具体化的人物例子，比如像这道口语题：
Some think that natural talent and ability is more important for an athlete; others think that hard work is more important. What do you think?
这时如果你只是说理的话很难说出令人信服的答案，最简单的解法其实就是找例子证明。比如，你说丁俊晖，9岁开始打球，15岁就拿到世界级比赛的冠军，这不是天赋是什么？并不是所有人努力就可以成功的。
如果你想拿丁俊晖举例，就去Wikipedia搜索Ding Junhui，出现以下结果：
Ding Junhui (Chinese: 丁俊晖；pinyin: D ī ng J ù nhu ī ；[5] born on 1 April 1987) is a Chinese professional snooker player and the most successful Asian player in the history of the sport. He began playing snooker at age 9, and rose to international prominence in 2002 after winning the Asian Under-21 Championship, the Asian Championship, and becoming the youngest winner of the IBSF World Under-21 Championship at age 15.
那么，这道题的回答我们就可以说：
Of course, natural talent is more important for an athlete. Take Ding Junhui for example. He is the most famous pool player in China, and he started to play snooker at age 9. not denying that he did practice very hard, and he did practice like crazy. But he rose to international prominence in 2002 after winning the Asian Under-21 Championship. He was only 15 at that time. It is an honor that many would never dream of. My point is that not all of us have the potential to rise to such heights, even with practice.
这时，如果段落太短不够撑够45秒，我们完全可以举两个例子，再搜一个林丹的例子加进来。搜Lin Dan就会直接出现结果。
另外一个很好的网站是丫ouTube，因为YouTube上有大量的优质视频资源，比如crash course,里面包含了很多不同的系列，现在该频道中最火的几个系列有：世界史、美国史、哲学、物理、电影制作、电脑、生物、文学、化学，等等。其实学习和准备托福素材是个很有意思的环节，如果你不着急短期内出分的话。笔者推荐大家一定要将学习和兴趣相结合，这样才能最大化我们的学习效率。Remember, learning English is fun.
如何将所学习的单个素材串起来，回答真题？
下面我们来说一说，学习完整个“运动”素材后，应该如何将所学的单个素材串起来，回答真题。比如看这道题：
Which of the following qualities do you admire the most (or would you be most interested in getting) ? Art skills, language skills or sports skills? Use details and explanations in your response.
三选一的题型，我们就选sports skills来答题吧。题目问的是你最想掌握的技能是什么？这时可以重新扫一眼这一类话题的树状话题拓展图，发现第1个小问题"Why are sports important?" 和第7个小问题 "What's special about sports?" 正好可以派上用场。我们现在可以使用的素材有：教会人生道理、团队合作、放松、减肥、增进感情、增强体力、增强灵活性、增强手臂力量。这时，我们随意组合，即可轻松凑够45秒。
比如我想用“增强体力”和”放松”来组成一个文段。可以这么说：
The quality that I admired most is sports skills, because I often get sick lately. For example, if I get trained in running and start to run every day, I' II have better stamina. I would have to run back and forth constantly. At first, I might feel out of breath. But weeks later, I will feel more energetic. It's in fact a very good cardio exercise that can prevent sickness. Also, sports are a great way of relaxation, especially for those engaged in intellectual work, like students and office employees. A badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium will ease all my pressure from stressful study. When my pressure is relieved, I am less likely to get sick.
以下是刚才回答中用到的两个素材：
1.3 放松
Sports are also a great way to relax, especially for those engaged in intellectual work, like students and office employees. A badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium will ease all your stress from work or study. Also, it feels great to sweat after an intense competition with a powerful opponent.
7.1 增强体力
It builds stamina. You have to run back and forth constantly. At first, you might feel out of breath. But weeks later, you'll feel more energetic. It's in fact, a very good cardio exercise, which helps with weight loss.
再来看一道独立写作题。
Nowadays, children rely too much on the technology, like comouters, smartphones, video games for fun and entertainment; playing simpler toys or playing outside with their mends would be better for the children's development.
独立写作题
2016/2/28
这是一道对比题。如果写同意的话，其实有两块内容可以展开，即小孩都玩了什么游戏，以及到外面玩耍可以怎样对小孩发展更好。游戏部分的内容，可以参考书中的素材章节“游戏”。我们现在先尝试把在外面玩耍，即运动的部分，写出来。这时，扫一眼“运动”类话题开始的目标，看看哪些素材可以用到。然后发现在运动地点里可以写、在公园慢跑（第4个小问题），好处可以写增强体力、增进友谊（第7个小问题）。最后发现素材中第13个小问题就是专门针对这道题的素材，可以直接拿来用，运动和游戏哪个对小孩发展更重要？将这些素材拼凑衔接以后，效果如下：
Research shows that children who constantly participate in sports tend to attain higher heights and healthier than those who do not. Parents all wish their children to be at least 6 feet high and be vigorous and outgoing.Playing sports is a perfect way to achieve all the wishes of parents. For one thing, sports stimulate the growing of bones and muscle tissues. For another thing, playing team sports would naturally teach children how to cooperate and communicate with others. Both are vital skills for children' s future success.
Also, sports are also a great way of relaxation, especially for those engaged in intellectual work, like students and office employees. A badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium will ease all your pressure from stressful work or study. Also, it feels great to sweat after an intense competition with a powerful opponent. Another example is that I like to go jogging alongside the edge of the park in my neighborhood.
For one thing, the air quality in the morning is extremely refreshing. I am extremely picky when it comes to air quality. When air quality is bad because of smog, I would even try my best to avoid going outside, not to mention exercise. Everyone knows that air quality is terrible in dorms when your roommates spend the entire night smoking while playing video games. Breathing fresh air freely after a quick run just feels great. For another thing, the beautiful scenery lightens my day. I also have this thing for enjoying the green color from trees and grass. I always feel pumped up after a short run.
对于这道题，我们完全可以直接将第13个小回答的答案拿过来当作我们的第一个主体段。一个词都不用改写。在这段里，运动的好处有促进小孩骨骼发育和教会团队合作。到第二段时，我们可以将“放松”素材和“公园慢跑”素材拼凑起来，合为新的一段。为了切题，中间稍微改写一点“公园慢跑”素材中关于空气的部分。原文说的是公园雾霾的时候，一般就不到户外跑步了。但这样直接拿来用，与现在的题目并不搭，所以需要进行适当改写。现在改成为了呼吸新鲜空气，避开宿舍里打游戏后污浊的空气，而出去慢跑。这样，我们轻松运用三个素材将这篇独立写作写到了265词。后面再参考本书中的“游戏”类话题，写游戏怎么不好，文章基本就可以结束了。
以下是刚才范文中用到的三个素材：
4.2 公园
I like to go jogging along the edge of the park in my neighborhood. For one thing, the air quality in the morning is extremely refreshing. I am extremely picky when it comes to air quality. When air quality is bad because of smog, I try my best to avoid going outside, not to mention exercising Breathing fresh air after a quick run just feels great. For another thing, the beautiful scenery lighten my day. I also have this thing for enjoying the green of the trees and grass. I always feel pumped up after a short run.
1.3 放松
Sports are also a great way to relax, especially for those engaged in intellectual work, like students and office employees. A badminton game in ShouTi gymnasium will ease all your stress from work or study. Also, it feels great to sweat after an intense competition with a powerful opponent.
13.2 运动更重要
Research shows that children who constantly participate in sports tend to attain higher heights and better health than those who do not. Parents all wish their children to be at least 6 feet tall and be vigorous1 and outgoing. Playing sports is a perfect way to achieve all the wishes of parents. For one thing, sports stimulate the growing of bone and muscle tissues. For another thing2, playing team sports naturally teaches children how to cooperate and communicate with others. Both are vital skills for children's future success.
如何利用本书积累托福词汇和地道表达？
同学们看范文时，通常喜欢关注词，特别是难词、长词。但是，地道的语言远不只是几个看起来高级的词汇，甚至不是所谓高级的词组。本书范文中会推荐很多值得学习的语言现象，都以变色的形式凸显出来，可能是词语和词组搭配，可能是句型、逻辑词的使用方式或语法现象。
每个文段中的重难点词、词组、句型或语言点都在笔记区进行了解释，有的还提供了口语替换词或表达，以方便同学们在口语和写作中自由切换。
1.5 交流+增进感情
Sports provide us with great opportunities to bond with our colleagues and friends. For example, my classmate Jason had not been close to our instructor in his freshman year. However，because they both love to work out, they became best friends when Jason was a sophomore, given their frequent morning interactions at the student fitness center. We all know the importance of maintaining a good relationship with our classmates and colleagues. So, it seems to me exercising is a great way to expand your social circle.