一、直接考查连词but在语境中的用法即要求考生根据试题的语境(看其是否有转折意味)来确定连词but的正确使用。这类考题通常会将连词but与连词and, so, or等结合起来考查。同学们做题时要注意比较,尤其要注意比较各个连词填入句子后,比较句意的逻辑性和通畅性。如:
1. You have failed two tests. You'd better start working harder, you won't pass the course.
A. and B. so C. but D. or
解析:D. or的意思是"否则""要不然",只有此词填入空格,句意最通顺。
2. They wanted to charge $5,000 for the car, we managed to bring the price down.
A. but B. so C. when D. since
解析:A. 前后两分句之间是转折关系,故用but.
3. -Somebody wants you on the telephone. -_____ no one knows I'm here.
A. For B. And C. But D. So
解析:C. "有人打电话来找我"与"没有人知道我在这里"是转折关系,故填but.
二、利用but的转折语境考查其他知识点即根据题干中连词but的转折性语境来确定相关知识点的选择。此时尤其要注意前后相关信息的对比、对照或互为相反义。如:
1. He has made a lot of films, but ______ good ones.
A. any B. some C. few D. many
解析:C. 由于句中用了转折连词but,所以要填few与前面的many相对比。
2. It's hard for him playing against me. I've got nothing to play for, but for him, he needs to win so _________.
A. far B. well C. little D. badly
解析:D. 句中的badly不是表示"糟糕地",而是表示"很""非常",这样用的badly主要与表示"想要"或"需要"的词语或短语(如want, need, be in need of等)连用。如:Our school is badly in need of English teacher. 我们学校急需英语教师。/ He wants to buy a new car badly. 他很想买辆新车。
3. I told your friend how to get to the hotel, but perhaps I _______ have driven her there.
A. could B. must C. might D. should
解析:D. 比较:"could+have+过去分词"的意思是"本来可以""本来应该""本来能够";"must+have+过去分词"的意思是"一定已经";"might+have+过去分词"的意思是"本来可以""本来可能";"should+have+过去分词"的意思是"本来应该".根据句意,显然只有D最佳。
三、考查but的相关结构或句式如考查not…but…, not only…but (also)…等句式的搭配和运用。如:
1. Between the two generations, it is often not their age,_______ their education that causes misunderstanding.
A. like B. as C. or D. but
解析:D. 题目考查not…but…的用法,其意为"不是……而是……".全句意为:两代人之间引起的误解往往不是他们的(不同)年龄,而是他们所受的(不同)教育。
2. Reality is not the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be,_________ the way they actually are.
A. as B. or C. but D. and
解析:C. 此题也是考查not…but…结构。全句意为:现实不是你想象出来的事物的状态,也不是事物表象给人的感觉,而是其本来的样子。
四、考查连词but与定语从句的相互干扰大家知道,在含有定语从句的复合句中,我们是不能在主句与从句之间使用并列连词的。但是,命题者有时却会利用连词but与定语从句的相互干扰性来考查考生的辨别能力。如:
1. I don't mind her criticizing me,but _______ is how she does it that I object to.
A. it B. that C. this D. which
解析:A. 翻译:我并不介意她批评我,但我反感的是她批评我的方式。
1. 后句采用强调句型:It is + 强调部分 + that + 未被强调部分。如果去掉it is和that后,剩下是一个完整的句子:I object to how she does it.其中,how she does it是一个宾语从句,做object to中介词to的宾语。does it代指上句的criticize me这个动作。对上句的宾语从句how she does it强调,即变成:It is how she does it that I object to.
2. 该句型的引导词只能用that,当然如果强调部分指人时,还可以用who/whom.