IGCSE CIE English: Writing Experiment Instructions | IGCSE CIE 英语：实验操作指南

📚 IGCSE CIE English: Writing Experiment Instructions | IGCSE CIE 英语：实验操作指南

In the IGCSE CIE English examinations, you may encounter a writing task that asks you to produce a set of instructions, such as an experiment guide. This genre tests your ability to sequence ideas logically, use imperative verbs accurately, and adopt a clear, reader‑friendly register. Whether you are describing a titration, a food test, or a simple physics investigation, mastering the conventions of instructional writing is essential for a high score in the writing paper.

在IGCSE CIE英语考试中，你可能会遇到要求写一组说明的写作任务，例如实验操作指南。这种文体考察你能否有逻辑地安排步骤、准确使用祈使动词，并运用清晰易读的语体。无论你描述的是滴定、食物检验还是简单的物理探究，掌握指导性写作的规范对于在写作卷中获得高分至关重要。

1. Understanding the Examination Task | 理解考试任务

Prompts often appear as: ‘Write a guide for students explaining how to safely carry out a titration experiment.’ or ‘Describe how you would investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction.’ You must imagine that your readers have no prior knowledge of the procedure. Stick closely to the bullet points given in the question, and decide whether a friendly but formal tone or a purely technical register is more appropriate.

题目通常这样呈现：“写一篇指南，向学生说明如何安全地进行滴定实验。”或“描述你将如何研究温度对反应速率的影响。”你必须假设读者对该步骤毫无了解。紧扣题目给出的要点提示，并判断是亲切但正式的语调还是纯粹技术性的语体更合适。

2. Key Features of Instructional Writing | 指导性写作的关键特征

A successful experiment guide includes a clear title, a list of all apparatus and materials, step‑by‑step procedures (often numbered), safety precautions, and expected observations. Each step uses the imperative mood and the present tense. Short, direct sentences prevent confusion. The layout itself should help the reader follow the sequence, so consider using bullet points or subheadings like ‘Apparatus’, ‘Method’, and ‘Results’.

一份成功的实验指南包括清晰的标题、所有仪器和材料的清单、分步步骤（通常编号）、安全注意事项以及预期观察结果。每个步骤使用祈使语气和现在时态。简短、直接的句子能避免混淆。版面设计本身应有助于读者跟上顺序，因此可考虑使用项目符号或“仪器”、“方法”、“结果”等小标题。

Feature	Example
Imperative verbs	‘Pour the solution into a beaker.’
Present tense	‘The mixture turns blue.’
Sequence words	‘First’, ‘Next’, ‘After that’, ‘Finally’
Precise measurements	‘Add 25.0 cm³ of NaOH.’

上面的表格归纳了指导性文本的核心特征。在写作时，务必确保每一步只包含一个主要动作，并尽可能使用量化数据代替模糊描述。

3. Using Imperative Verbs | 使用祈使动词

Every instruction must begin with a strong command verb. Avoid modals like ‘you should’ or ‘I will’. Write: ‘Measure 50 cm³ of water using a graduated cylinder.’ ‘Attach the clamp to the stand.’ ‘Heat the test tube gently.’ Notice that the verb is placed at the very beginning, and the object follows immediately. In an examination, examiners reward writing that is direct and economical.

每条指令必须以强有力的祈使动词开头。避免使用情态动词，如“你应该”或“我将”。要写：“用量筒量取50 cm³水。”“将夹子固定在铁架台上。”“缓慢加热试管。”注意动词置于句首，宾语紧跟其后。在考试中，阅卷人会奖励直接而简洁的表达。

‘Record the initial temperature before adding the metal.’

这一句展现了典型的祈使句式——命令动词、宾语及必要的时间状语。

4. Sequencing with Connectives | 用连接词排序

In a free‑standing paragraph of instructions, use time connectives to guide the reader: ‘First, label three test tubes A, B and C.’ ‘Next, add 2 cm³ of starch solution to each.’ ‘Then, place them in a water bath at 40 °C.’ ‘After three minutes, add 2 drops of iodine solution.’ ‘Finally, record the colour change.’ When steps are numbered, you may omit these words, but they can still be helpful for flow.

在独立的说明段落中，使用时间连接词引导读者：“首先，给三支试管贴上A、B、C标签。”“接着，向每支试管加入2 cm³淀粉溶液。”“然后，将它们置于40 °C水浴中。”“三分钟后，加入2滴碘液。”“最后，记录颜色变化。”如步骤已编号，可省略这些词，但仍有助于行文连贯。

‘Once the water reaches 60 °C, carefully lower the sample into the beaker.’

5. Using Passive Voice Appropriately | 恰当使用被动语态

Scientific writing often shifts to the passive to emphasise what was done rather than who did it. Compare: ‘I heated the acid’ (active) with ‘The acid was heated until it boiled’ (passive). In an experiment guide aimed at a reader who will perform the actions, the active imperative is clearer. However, when describing the theory or expected results, the passive can be useful: ‘The temperature is recorded every 30 seconds.’ ‘A white precipitate is formed.’ Strike a balance.

科学写作常转向被动语态，以强调做了什么而不是由谁做的。对比：“我加热了酸”（主动）和“酸被加热至沸腾”（被动）。在面向操作者阅读的实验指南中，主动祈使句更清晰。但在描述理论或预期结果时，被动语态可能有用：“每30秒记录一次温度。”“形成白色沉淀。”把握好平衡。

‘The volume of gas collected was measured at regular intervals.’

6. Describing Equipment and Materials | 描述设备和材料

Begin with a concise list under the heading ‘Apparatus’ or ‘Materials’. Be specific: ‘a 100 cm³ beaker’ not just ‘a beaker’; ‘0.5 M sulfuric acid’ rather than ‘acid’. Use chemical names accurately. If a particular size of filter paper or a specific indicator is required, mention it. Remember that the reader must be able to gather everything before starting.

以简明的清单开头，放在“仪器”或“材料”标题下。要具体：“一只100 cm³烧杯”而非“一个烧杯”；“0.5 M硫酸”而不是“酸”。准确使用化学品名称。若需要特定尺寸的滤纸或某种指示剂，应予以说明。记住，读者必须在开始前收集齐所有物品。

Apparatus	中文
Boiling tube, test‑tube rack, Bunsen burner, heat‑proof mat, tongs	沸腾管、试管架、本生灯、隔热垫、坩埚钳
Electronic balance, spatula, 250 cm³ volumetric flask, wash bottle	电子天平、药匙、250 cm³容量瓶、洗瓶

7. Including Safety Precautions | 安全注意事项

Safety is not optional; examiners expect you to embed warnings naturally. ‘Wear safety goggles throughout the experiment.’ ‘Tie back long hair and remove loose clothing.’ ‘Concentrated sulfuric acid is highly corrosive – handle it in a fume cupboard.’ ‘If any chemical splashes onto the skin, rinse immediately with cold water for at least 10 minutes.’ Use bold or symbols to draw attention: ⚠ Caution: Hot surface.

安全并非可有可无；阅卷人期望你将警告自然而然地嵌入文中。“全程佩戴护目镜。”“将长发扎起并脱下宽松衣物。”“浓硫酸具有强腐蚀性——应在通风橱内操作。”“如化学品溅到皮肤上，立即用冷水冲洗至少10分钟。”使用粗体或符号引起注意：⚠ 注意：高温表面。

‘Always point the open end of a test tube away from yourself and others.’

8. Writing Clear Measurements and Observations | 书写清晰的测量与观察

Precision matters. State exactly what to measure, with what instrument, and with which unit. ‘Use a thermometer to record the initial temperature of the liquid (±0.5 °C).’ ‘Measure the distance travelled by the marble in centimetres, using a metre ruler.’ For observations, guide the reader on what to look for: ‘Record any colour change, effervescence, or formation of a precipitate.’ If taking repeated readings, mention that: ‘Repeat the measurement three times and calculate the mean.’

精确度很重要。准确指出要测量什么，用什么仪器，用什么单位。“用温度计记录液体初始温度（±0.5 °C）。”“用米尺测量弹珠移动的距离（厘米）。”对于观察，引导读者注意什么：“记录任何颜色变化、冒泡或沉淀形成。”如需多次读数，也要提到：“重复测量三次并计算平均值。”

‘Record the time taken for the cross to disappear, in seconds, using a stopwatch.’

9. Avoiding Ambiguity and Redundancy | 避免模糊与冗余

Vague language confuses the reader. Replace ‘Add some acid’ with ‘Add exactly 10.0 cm³ of 1 M HCl’. Remove unnecessary words: ‘Carefully pour the solution slowly down the side’ can be trimmed to ‘Pour the solution slowly down the side’. Each step should convey one clear idea. Avoid combining two actions: ‘Stir and heat the mixture’ is acceptable only if done simultaneously; otherwise separate them.

含糊的语言会让读者困惑。将“加入一些酸”替换为“加入恰好10.0 cm³的1 M HCl”。删除多余词语：“小心地将溶液沿管壁缓慢倒入”可简化为“将溶液沿管壁缓慢倒入”。每一步应传达一个清晰的概念。避免合并两个动作：“搅拌并加热混合物”仅在同时进行时可接受，否则应分开。

Avoid (避免)	Better (更好)
Put a small amount of sodium carbonate in a test tube.	Add 0.5 g of sodium carbonate to a test tube.
Heat it until it is quite hot.	Heat until the solution reaches 60 °C.

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IGCSE CIE English: Writing Experiment Instructions | IGCSE CIE 英语：实验操作指南