Tài liệu tự tổng hợp ôn thi semantic, phần này tập trung vào figure speech, giúp các bạn khái quát hóa kiến thức và tổng hợp lại. Cũng như giải các mẫu cơ bản nhất thường gặp trong các đề thi. chi phí 2.000d cho công sức tổng hợp của mình nhé.
More concepts Deixis Deixis is a phenomenon when deictic words occur. Deictic words are a small set of words whose meanings vary according to who use them, when and where they are used, which means they take some element of their meanings from the context or situation (i.e. the speaker, the context, the time and the place) of the utterance in which they are used. The most common types of information referred to by deixis are those of PERSON, PLACE, and TIME. Ex.: Person deixis: pronouns I, you, he, us, them, etc.; place deixis: here, there, this, that, etc., time deixis: now, then, yesterday, today, etc. Lexical ambiguity Lexical ambiguity occurs when information is understood or interpreted in more than one way because of a word or phrase having more than one meaning. Such meanings are in a relation of HOMONYMY or POLYSEMY. Ex.: They don’t recognize the new president: The sentence is ambiguous because recognize has several meanings, and may mean They not identify the new president as someone they have known before or They not officially accept that person’s status as new president. Structural ambiguity arises when a phrase or a sentence is understood in more than one way because it has more than one underlying structure. One way to disambiguate such phrases or sentences is by using paraphrases. Ex.: He ate the cookies on the couch may mean that He ate the cookies which were on the couch or He was sitting on the couch when he ate the cookies. Politeness and indirectness Being polite is to avoid threatening other people's face. ‘Face’ is the public selfimage an individual wants to claim for himself. Face has two components: positive face, which represents an individual’s desire to seem worthy and deserving of approval, and negative face, which represents an individual’s desire to be autonomous, unimpeded by others. People try to maintain others’ face by using indirect speech acts. For example, to avoid threats to negative face, we use questions, rather than imperatives, for orders, requests, suggestions, advice (e.g. ‘why don’t you take a rest?’ instead of ‘take a rest’). To avoid threats to positive face, we also use indirectness in expressions of disapproval, disagreements, accusation. (e.g. ‘I’m afraid we need a better proposal from you’ instead of ‘your proposal is not good enough’; ‘I regret to tell you that it was not a small mistake of yours’ rather than ‘You’ve made a really big mistake’). FIGURES OF SPEECH Cách làm mẫu: (các chữ in đậm có thể dùng cố định). Metonymy: (gồm loại) 1. Viết hoa (4 bước). Thí dụ câu I.1): a. Hitchcock and Spielberg are American film directors; b. Hitchcock and Spielberg stand for the films made by these two directors respectively; c. The sentence means ‘We enjoy watching the films made by Hitchcock more than those made by Spielberg’; d. This is an instance of METONYMY (producer for product). 2. Không viết hoa (3 bước): Thí dụ câu I.12): a. ‘The ham sandwich stands for the customer who ordered and ate the ham sandwich; b. The sentence means ‘The customer who ordered the ham sandwich is waiting for his bill’; c. This is an instance of METONYMY (thing consumed for consumer). Lưu ý: SYNECDOCHE cũng làm theo dạng này, Metaphor: (3 loại) 1. Do từ đơn lẻ (4 bước): Thí dụ câu I.2): a) Giải thích nghĩa đen: When a cloud appears over something, it takes away some of the sunlight and makes that thing less bright; b) ‘A cloud’ here suggests ‘an unhappy event or a problem’; c. The sentence means ‘Something wrong happened that threatened their friendship; d. This is an instance of METAPHOR. 2. Từ những expression có thể giải thích theo nghĩa đen (non-idiomatic – bước): Thí dụ câu I.3): a. Giải thích nghĩa đen: ‘A snake’ is considered a dangerous animal; ‘a snake in the grass' can be even more dangerous because one may have problem avoiding them; b. The sentence means ‘ Frank is dangerous, unpredictable and not trustworthy. d. This is an instance of METAPHOR 3. Từ những expression không thể giải thích theo nghĩa đen (idiomatic – bước): Thí dụ câu I.14): a. ‘I’ll eat my hat’ means ‘I’ll be greatly surprised if…’ or ‘I don’t believe that will happen’; b. The sentence means ‘I definitely don’t believe you are able to figure out how to that; c. This is an instance of METAPHOR. Personification: (2 loại) 1. Có chủ định: Thí dụ I. 5): a. ‘The stars' are described as having the ability to wink and to have intent like humans. b. This is an instance of PERSONIFICATION. 2. Không chủ định: Thí dụ câu II. 6): a. “Plants" are described as having the ability to suffer like humans or animals. b. This is an instance of PERSONIFICATION. Hyperbole: Thí dụ câu I.9): She nearly died laughing: a. It is practically impossible for someone to laugh so much as to nearly die; b. The sentence means ‘ She laughed so much that she can hardly control herself and stop’; c. This is an instance of HYPERBOLE. Câu II. 4): I’m so tired I could sleep for a year: a) It is impossible for someone to be able to sleep for a year; b. The sentence means ‘I’m so tired that I badly need a long rest; c. This is an instance of HYPERBOLE. Litotes: Thí dụ câu I.10): a. ‘not useless’ is equivalent to ‘useful’; b. The sentence means ‘that sword was useful to the warrior”; c. This is an instance of LITOTES. I. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) We enjoy watching Hitchcock more than Spielberg. (see above) A cloud appeared over their friendship. (see above) Frank is a snake in the grass. (see above) Watergate was an important scandal in American politics. Watergate: the name of an office complex in Washington where the famous scandal took place; Watergate stands for the scandal of Watergate; METONYMY (location for event) The stars winked at me. (see above) We have got some new blood in the organization. ‘New blood’ stands for ‘new personnel/staff’. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) His love left forever for the city. ‘love’ stands for ‘lover’; METONYMY (abstract for concrete) Life is a journey, but don’t worry, you’ll find a parking lot at the end. Life is compared to a journey with a lot of hardship and struggling; the time when one retires is compared to a parking lot on that journey. METAPHOR. She nearly died laughing. (see above) That sword was not useless to the warrior. (see above) That theory explains everything you need to know about metaphor. ‘theory’ CANNOT explain -> That theory contains all the information you need to explain what you want to know about metaphor. PERSONIFICATION (có intent) The ham sandwich sitting in the next booth is waiting for his bill. (see above) The Army needs many new soldiers. The Army stands for the people in charge. METONYMY (institution for people responsible) If you can figure out how to that, I’d eat my hat. (see above) I have to fill the car with gas. 'the car’ stands for’ the car tank’. SYNECDOCHE (whole for part) Mary let the cat out of the bag when she told me about Jane’s marriage to Jack. Let the cat out of the bag (idiom): tell people secret information, 17) 18) 19) 20) often without intending to. The sentence means ‘Mary accidentally revealed to me the secret of Jane’s marriage to Jack. METAPHOR Mary spilled the beans when I asked her about the secret. ‘Spill the beans’: tell people secret information. ‘When I asked Mary, she told me the secret.’ METAPHOR. This is no ordinary city. ‘No ordinary’ = extraordinary, excellent, outstanding. LITOTES Room 44 needs more towels. ‘Room 44’ stands for the guests staying in it. METONYMY (location for people) It’s good to see some new faces in here. ‘faces’ stands for ‘people’. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) II. 1) The cover-up extends to the Oval Office. The Oval Office is where the President of the USA works. The Oval Office stands for the spokesperson of the President at the press conference. METONYMY (institution for person responsible) 2) My ace in the hole is that I know something they don’t know. ‘ace in the hole’ (idiom): an advantage you have that other people not know about. The sentence means ‘my hidden advantage is that I know something they don’t know. METAPHOR 3) His idea collapsed because it didn’t have enough support. ‘idea’ is compared to a building or structure that may collapse without enough support. The sentence means ‘my idea failed due to inadequate backing.’ 4) I’m so tired I could sleep for a year. (see above) 5) People, lend me your ear. ‘Lend an ear’ (idiom): pay attention, listen to sb. METAPHOR. 6) Plants were suffering from the intense heat. (see above) 7) The bus in front of us decided to turn left. ‘the bus’ stands for the driver of the bus. METONYMY (instrument for user) 8) Her father’s illness cast a cloud over her wedding day. When a cloud is cast over something, it makes that thing look less bright, dimmer/gloomier. ‘Her father’s illness took away some of the joy, happiness, and excitement of her wedding day. METAPHOR. 9) Imprisoned among his test-tubes, he could not see what the world was like. He is compared to a prisoner that cannot get out of his jail. ‘He was too absorbed in his lab experiments to go out.' METAPHOR 10) The White House refused to answer the press’s questions. The White House is where the President of the USA lives and works. The White House stands for the spokesperson of the President. METONYMY (place for person responsible) 11) The rancher needs some more hands during roundup time. ‘Hands’ stands for ‘workers’. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole). 12) I think life has cheated me out of any hope of happiness. Life is described as being able to cheat and have intent like people. PERSONIFICATION. or 'life' stands for the people or events in my life-> METONYMY (abstract for concrete) 13) It’s rather nice that we get paid for all the work we do. ‘rather nice’ = ‘very nice’ -> LITOTES. 14) My car is a lemon. ‘A lemon' is a product that is imperfect. ‘My car is defective.’ METAPHOR. 15) I finally won the argument. ‘Argument’ is compared to a war/battle/fight which people can lose or win. ‘My argument finally succeeded or prevailed. METAPHOR. 16) Dr. Jones is a butcher. (idiom) Doctor Jones is a very bad and awkward doctor. 17) The Times asked a pertinent question at the news conference. The Times stands for the reporter from the Times. METONYMY (institution for person responsible) 18) Jim Jerry sold me down the river. Sold down the river (idiom): Betrayed, cheated. ‘Jim Jerry betrayed me. METAPHOR 19) Fred always tried to throw his weight around. Throw one’s weight around (idiom): behave in a way to show that you are more important and powerful than others. ‘Fred always tried to impress other people. METAPHOR 20) Who were all those suits drinking in the pub last night? ‘Those suits’ stands for those people wearing suits. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) FIGURES OF SPEECH (continued) III. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Have you cleared this deal with the top floor? Top floor = people working on the top floor. METONYMY (location for people) All of his cattle are affected; he lost more than fifty head. Head = cows. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) Pearl Harbor was a sad event in America’s history. Pearl Harbor is the site of a US naval based bombed by Japan in 1941. Pearl Harbor stands for the attack of Pearl Harbor. METONYMY (place for event). My dad always tells me to make hay while the sun shines. Farmers cannot make hay when it rains, therefore they hurry to it when there is sunshine. The expression means ‘my father always tells me to take advantage of every opportunity possible, to work when I can. METAPHOR. When the speaker finished his talk, we knew we had been listening to a great mind. A great mind stands for a great person. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) As we are sailing into this new millennium, we should now there are plenty of challenges ahead. Life is compared to a sea, and living is like sailing in that sea and facing a lot of challenges, risks, hardship. METAPHOR. The man is a demon of energy. That man is full of energy. METAPHOR. My computer hates me. The computer is depicted as being able to have intent and hate like humans. PERSONIFICATION. I have got a new set of wheels. A new set of wheels = a new car. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) I want to take part in the contest, but I don’t have the nerve. Have the nerve = have the courage. METAPHOR. Hollywood keeps putting out mediocre movies. Hollywood is the site of the American film industry. METONYMY (place for industry) The art collector bought an expensive Picasso. A Picasso = a painting by Picasso. METONYMY (producer for product) Cancer finally caught up with him. Cancer is described as being able to have intent and catch up (chase and capture) like humans. PERSONIFICATION John took the bull by the horns when he decided to deal with the problem. Take the bull by the horns (idiom): Face a difficulty without avoiding it. 'He decided to face and grapple with the problem without avoiding it. METAPHOR. Duty commanded and he obeyed. When duty commands, people feels a sense of obligation/responsibility. The sentence means 'he did it out of a sense of duty (anh ta làm vì tinh thần trách nhiệm, vì bổn phận). METAPHOR I know he’s your brother, but you shouldn’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. Don’t let your feelings make you less able to think clearly or make sensible decisions. METAPHOR Sit down, will you? And relax. It’s time to let your hair down. Let your hair down: relax and enjoy yourself. METAPHOR Her beloved father was laid to rest in this cemetery. Lay to rest: bury a dead person. EUPHEMISM. The president claimed that his administration contains the best brains in the country. Brain: highly intelligent person. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) I did not like that book. That book: the content of that book. METONYMY (container for content) IV. 1) 2) 3) 4) Their next strategy is to expand their business to less developed countries. Less developed: poorer. EUPHEMISM. OR Expand: enlarge, cause to grow. Business is regarded as a physical entity -> METAPHOR The huge locomotive snorted and belched its way across the plain. The locomotive is described as being able to snort and belch like humans or animals. PERSONIFICATION She is a girl of twenty summers. Summer: year. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) The skinheads have constituted a social problem in the west. Skinhead: young people who shave their heads and participate in anti-immigrant activities. SYNECDOCHE (part for whole) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) I don’t know much about the childhood of the world. The world is depicted as having a childhood like humans. PERSONIFICATION Take the bad with the good. ‘To accept the unpleasant parts (the bad) of a situation as well as the pleasant parts (the good).’ METONYMY (general for specific) Why don’t you recognize the power of her purse? ‘Purse’ stands for money. METONYMY (container for content) Never in a million years will he admit defeat. It’s impossible for anyone to live a million years to admit defeat. HYPERBOLE In 1940, after the fall of France, England had no defense left but her ancient valor. England is referenced to as a female person by the pronoun “her.” PERSONIFICATION. Should we conclude that the experiences of one city will be mirrored by the other? ‘Mirror’ (v): to reflect in a mirror. The sentence means ‘Should we conclude that the experiences of one city will be replicated by the other? METAPHOR. Performance in a crisis is the acid test of a leader’s abilities. Acid test: test used to conclude about the quality or success of something. The sentence means: How well a leader performs in a crisis will show his/her true abilities. METAPHOR America is a melting pot. Melting pot (literal): a pot in which metals are melted and mixed together. Figurative: A place where people from different ethnics, nationalities, cultures, are mixed together. METAPHOR. You’ll never get the university to agree to that. ‘University’ stands for the office or official in charge. METONYMY (institution for person responsible) Don’t substitute the good for the best. To replace the best by the good. The best, the good stand for the best things, the good things. METONYMY (general for specific) He lit the stage with his talent. His performance on the stage is outstanding. METAPHOR. She just lapped up all the compliments. She loves all their praises. METAPHOR. You’re the cream in my coffee. You are essential to my life. METAPHOR. The house needs to be repaired immediately because the wood has rotten everywhere. The wood stands for things made of good. METONYMY (material for thing) Time never waits for anyone. Time is described as having the ability to have intent and wait like humans. PERSONIFICATION The city posted a sign. The city stands for the people/organization. METONYMY (place for person responsible/institution) SPEECH ACTS 1) ‘Why don’t you live with your parents?’ Situation 1: A: ‘Why don’t you live with your parents?’ B: ‘Because there’s not enough room in their house for all of us.’ A directly asks B a question to know the reason for B not living with his parents: DIRECT SPEECH ACT OF ASKING Situation 2: A: ‘I can hardly afford the increased rent.’ B: ‘Why don’t you live with your parents?’ B indirectly makes a suggestion that A should move and live with his parents. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF SUGGESTING (DIRECTIVE) 2) ‘You’re home early.’ Situation 1: A: ‘You are home early’ B: ‘Yes. The teacher ended class half an hour before time.’ A directly makes a remark, asserts the fact that B is home earlier than usual. DIRECT SPEECH ACT OF ASSERTING (REPRESENTATIVE) Situation 2: Two roommates talking to each other A: ‘Who is to cook dinner today, you or me?’ B: ‘You are home early.’ B indirectly makes a request that B should cook dinner today because B is home earlier than A. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 3) ‘The car is dirty.’ Situation 1: Father (unhappy when his daughter returned the car he lent to her): ‘The car is dirty.’ The father indirectly complains about the fact that his daughter has not had the car washed before returning it. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF COMPLAINING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: Father: ‘Peter, the car is dirty.’ Son: ‘I know, Dad. But I’ve got to finish my homework first.’ The father indirectly asks his son to wash the car. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 4) ‘Is it right to allow skateboarding on our sidewalks?’ Situation 1: Residents to the representative of the Town Council: ‘Is it right to allow skateboarding on our sidewalks?’ The residents indirectly complain about the fact that the town council does nothing to prevent skateboarding on the sidewalks. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF COMPLAINING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: Members of the town council to the local police station: ‘Is it right to allow skateboarding on our sidewalks?’ The town council indirectly requests that the police should something to stop skateboarding on the sidewalks. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 5) ‘Look at the mess you just made.’ Situation 1: Mother to her little boy who has just finished playing with toys ‘Look at the mess you just made.’ The mother indirectly complains about the mess. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF COMPLAINING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: A chef to his assistant in the middle of preparing food: ‘Look at the mess you just made.’ The chef indirectly asks the assistant to a tidier job. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 6) ‘Some of the pages have been torn out.’ Situation 1: A, lending B a book: ‘Some of the pages have been torn out.' A directly informs B of the fact that some pages are missing from the book he’s going to lend B. DIRECT SPEECH ACT OF INFORMING (REPRESENTATIVE) Situation 2: A student, upon receiving back the book he lent to another student: “Some of the pages have been torn out.” The student indirectly complains that the borrower did not take good care of the book. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF COMPLAINING (EXPRESSIVE) Từ câu 7-13: Tất cả các câu này đã có tình huống và đều thể hiện indirect speech act. Indirect vì speech act không tương ứng với loại câu (type of sentence: declarative, interrogative, imperative - thí dụ câu interrogative không dùng để hỏi, câu declarative lại dùng để yêu cầu). 7) Customer telephoning a restaurant: ‘I’d like to book a table for tomorrow night.‘INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 8) Travel agent to customer: ‘Why not think about Spain for this summer?’ INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF SUGGESTING (DIRECTIVE) 9) Customer to barman: ‘I’ll have the usual.’ INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF ORDERING (DIRECTIVE) 10) Mother to child coming in from school: ‘I bet you’re hungry.’ INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF SUGGESTING (DIRECTIVE) 11) Bank manager to applicant for an overdraft: ‘We regret that we are unable to accede to your request.’ INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REFUSING (COMMISSIVE) 12) Someone responding to a friend’s money-making schemes: ‘Get real!’ (= your schemes are impractical). INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF SUGGESTING (DIRECTIVE) 13) Doorman at a nightclub to aspiring entrant: ‘Don’t make me laugh.’ (= you cannot enter the club). INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REJECTING (COMMISSIVE) 14) ‘Have you brought your malaria tablets?’ Situation 1: ‘‘Have you brought your malaria tablets?’’ The mother indirectly complains about the mess. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF COMPLAINING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: A chef to his assistant in the middle of preparing food: ‘‘Have you brought your malaria tablets?’’ The chef indirectly asks the assistant to a tidier job. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 15) Don’t worry, everything will be OK. Situation 1: A: ‘‘I’m not sure if I can well at the interview.’’ B: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.” B indirectly encourages A. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF ENCOURAGING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: Child to Mum: “This is too much soup. I can't finish it." Mum: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.” The mother indirectly asks her child to eat up the soup. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 16) “You look well today.” Situation 1: Doctor to patient: ‘‘You look well today’’ Patient: “Thanks.” The doctor indirectly congratulates the patient on the patient's improved health condition. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF CONGRATULATING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: A son, who just recovered from an illness, to his mother: “But I can’t go to school yet, Mum.” Mother: “You look well today.” The mother indirectly urges his son to go to school. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF URGING (DIRECTIVE). 17) He’s not reliable. Situation 1: A: ‘‘Why don’t you hire him?’’ B: “He’s not reliable.” B directly provides the reason why B does not hire him. DIRECT SPEECH ACT OF EXPLAINING/INFORMING (REPRESENTATIVE) Situation 2: A: “Lend him some money.” B: “He’s not reliable.” B indirectly refuses to lend him money. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF REFUSAL (COMMISSIVE) 18) The battery is dead. Situation 1: A: ‘‘May I use your mobile phone?’’ B: “The battery is dead.” B may indirectly apologize to A for not letting A use B’s cell phone. INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF APOLOGIZING (EXPRESSIVE). Situation 2: A: “What’s wrong with your mobile phone? ” B: “The battery is dead.” B directly explains the problem with his hand phone. DIRECT SPEECH ACT OF EXPLAINING/INFORMING (REPRESENTATIVE) 21) [...]... SPEECH ACT OF REQUESTING (DIRECTIVE) 15) Don’t worry, everything will be OK Situation 1: A: ‘‘I’m not sure if I can do well at the interview.’’ B: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.” B indirectly encourages A INDIRECT SPEECH ACT OF ENCOURAGING (EXPRESSIVE) Situation 2: Child to Mum: “This is too much soup I can't finish it." Mum: “Don’t worry, everything will be OK.” The mother indirectly asks her child . stands for the people/organization. METONYMY (place for person responsible/institution) SPEECH ACTS 1) ‘Why don’t you live with your parents?’ Situation 1: A: ‘Why don’t you live with your parents?’ B:. stands for the spokesperson of the President at the press conference. METONYMY (institution for person responsible) 2) My ace in the hole is that I know something they don’t know. ‘ace in the. c. This is an instance of METONYMY (thing consumed for consumer). Lưu ý: SYNECDOCHE cũng làm theo dạng này, Metaphor: (3 loại) 1. Do từ đơn lẻ (4 bước): Thi dụ câu I.2): a) Giải thi ch