請看今年一個高考題:
(2012重慶,29) Sales director is a position ________ communication ability is just as important as sales skills.
A. which B. that
C. when D. where
分析:本題考查定語從句。先行詞為position,代入定語從句后為:Communication ability is just as important as sales skills in the position.由此可見先行詞與介詞in一起作狀語,故排除A、B兩項;position在本句中表示“模糊化的地點”,故答案為D項。句意:銷售總監是一個職位,在這個職位中,交際能力和銷售技巧同等重要。
在某些模糊地點先行詞后由關系副詞where引導的定語從句一直是學生在備考過程中感到比較困惑的地方,現筆者根據多年的教學經驗,將該類定語從句簡單總結如下,希望對同學們有所幫助。
當先行詞是case,degree, situation,point,stage, job, position, activity, age, system, race, conditions, scene, spot, family等,表示某人或某物所處的情況或發展的階段,并且關系詞在定語從句中作地點狀語時,一般用關系副詞where引導定語從句。
這個用法在人教版必修一、必修五和選修九等課文中也反復出現過。下面是課文中的原句,請同學們好好體會一下。
1. Until today, we have reached a stage where we have almost no rights at all.直到今天,我們還處在幾乎什么權利都沒有的階段。(人教版必修一Unit 5 Nelson Mandala- a modern hero P34)
2. We were put into a position in which (where) we had either to accept we were less important or fight the government. 我們被置于這樣一個境地:要么被迫接受我們低人一等的現實,要么跟政府作斗爭。(人教版必修一Unit 5 Nelson Mandala- a modern hero P34)
3. Well, now there’s a system where the waste is disposed of using the principles of ecology.可現在我們有一種裝置,能利用生態學原理來處理掉廢棄物。(人教版必須五Unit 3 Life in the future P22 )
4. Every time Ashrita tries to break a record, he reaches a point where he feels he cannot physically do any more. 每次試圖破紀錄的時候,阿什里塔都會達到一個體力不可逾越的極限點。(人教版選修九Unit 1 Breaking records P3)
很多學生對上面幾個例子中stage,position, system, point后面where引導的定語從句感到很難理解。其實,它們都是模糊的表示地點的先行詞,其后的定語從句中也都因缺少地點狀語而由關系副詞where引導。
即時練習 在空格處填入一個恰當的詞。
1. I have reached a point in my life I am supposed to make decisions of my own.
2. It’s helpful to put children in a situation they can see themselves differently.
3. Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases beginners of English fail to use the language properly.
[以上三題的先行詞分別是point, situation, cases,指模糊地點(地步、處境或情形),在定語從句中作狀語,故均由where引導定語從句]
(作者單位:山東省壽光市第一中學)
責任編校 蔣小青