where 引导的定语从句归纳——由一道考试题想开去高三英语组省英语专家赵庆玲2013年12月25日的日照市高三校际联考试卷中有一道单项选择题如下：Yesterday my aunt sent me an email_____ she told me she would come to see me next week.A. whichB. whereC. thatD. when本题正确答案为B, 但是大部分学生都选了C。
本题中an email为先行词，题意为：昨天我姑姑给我发了一封电子邮件，在邮件中她告诉说下周要来看我。
从句中缺少状语，应该用关系副词where ，相当于in which。
1. —Where did you get to know her?—It was on the farm ___D___ we worked. (山东卷)A. thatB. thereC. whichD. where2. Some pre-school children go to a day-care center, ___D___ they learn simple games and songs. (全国I)A. thenB. thereC. whileD. where3. Those successful deaf dancers think that dancing is an activity ___D___ sight matters more than hearing. (天津卷)A. whenB. whoseC. whichD. where4. Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases ___D___ beginners ofEnglish fail to use the language properly. (陕西卷)A. whichB. asC. whyD. where5. After graduation she reached a point in her career ___D___ she had to decide what to do. (江西卷)A. thatB. whatC. whichD. where以上5道题的答案分别是DDDDD，其中前面两道比较容易，因为它们符合“where引导的定语从句用于修饰表示地点的名词”这一基本用法。
但是，后面3道题则有所不同，因为它们修饰的名词不是具体的地点名词，而是一个抽象名词，即分别是activity, case, point。
由于一般的语法书对这一问题很少涉及，所以许多考生对这类考题比较生疏。
1.一、where定语从句修饰抽象名词pointYou reach a point where medicine can’t help. 你已到了药物无法治疗的地步。
The crisis has reached a point where the receiver will have to be called in. 危机已达到非把破产管理人叫来不可的地步。
We have reached a point where a change is needed. 我们到了必须改一改的地步。
二、where定语从句修饰抽象名词caseThere are cases where the word “mighty” is used as an adverb. 在一些情况下，mighty一词可用作副词。
Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases where beginners of Englishfail to use the language properly. 今天，我们将讨论一些英语初学者对英语使用不当的问题。
三、where定语从句修饰抽象名词activityThose successful deaf dancers think that dancing is an activity where sight matters more than hearing. 那些失聪的成功舞蹈演员们认为，舞蹈是一种让人看胜过让人听的活动。
四、where定语从句修饰抽象名词situationHe got into a situation where it is hard to decide what is right and wrong. 他陷入一种难以分辨是非的局面。
If you risk something important, you cause it to be in a dangerous situation where you might lose it. 你如果拿重要的东西去冒险，那你就是将它置于一种可能会失去它的危险境地。
五、where定语从句修饰抽象名词positionIt’s put me in a position where I can’t afford to take the job. 这使我陷入一种不能接受此工作的境地。
六、where定语从句修饰抽象名词jobShe wants a job where her management skills can be put to good use. 她想找一份能将她的管理技能派上用场的工作。
I don’t want a job where I’m chained to a desk all day. 我不想找一份整天坐在办公桌前的工作。
高考真题练练看1.He wrote a letter_______ he explained what had happened in theaccident.A. whatB. whichC. whereD. how2.Nowadays people are more concerned about the environment _____ they live.A. whatB. whichC. whenD. where3.Life is like a long race_______________________ we compete with others to go beyond ourselves.A.whyB. whatC. that A. where4.——What do you think of teaching, Bob?—— I find it fun and challenging. It is a job_____ you are doing something serious but interesting.A.whereB. whichC. whenD. that5.It’s helpful to put children in a situation _______ they can see themselves differently.A. thatB. whenC. whichD. where归纳：常见的引导词有:point, case, activity, situation, position, job, race, letter, platform, letter, email, training center,environment等等。
同位语从句的考题对比：The secret was finally let out______ she was an abandoned child.A.whichB. thatC. whatD. as本题为同位语从句，she was an abandoned child用来解释the secret 的具体内容。
高考真题链接：1.When the news came_______ the war broke out, he decided to serve in the army.A.sinceB. whichC. thatD. because2.——Is there any possibility _________ you could pick me up at the airport?——No problem.A.whenB. thatC. whetherD. what3.The fact has worried many scientists____ the earth is becoming warmer and warmer these years.A. whatB. whichC. thatD. though4.There is clear evidence__________ the most difficult feeling of all to interpret is bodily pain.A. whatB. ifC. howD. that5.The notice came around two in the afternoon______ the meeting would be postponed.A.whenB. thatC. whetherD. how该类同位语从句的引导词有：fact, news, word, possibility, evidence, notice, secret等等。
本次试题书面表达参考答案：Hello, everyone! We’re going to organize a bicycle trip to our school farm this Sunday. It lies in the western suburb of the city, covering anarea of about 50 acres. Different kinds of cattle and various vegetables are raised and planted there，without using any harmful things in the feed or the fertilizer. The products are provided to the school canteen, where the teachers and the students enjoy a healthy diet. On the farm the students can combine what they have learned with practice.You’ll start your trip at 7:30AM, and when you get there, you’ll be shown around the farm before you have free lunch served there, and after lunch, you may return to our school. Take care when you cross the streets, and make sure never do any damage to the plants during the visit.Wish you a pleasant trip! Thank you.部分学生习作展示，由你来改错。