| Abstract | 第4-5页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| List of Abbreviations | 第7-15页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第15-18页 |
| 1.1 Research Background | 第15-16页 |
| 1.2 Objectives and Significance of the Research | 第16-17页 |
| 1.3 Structure of the Thesis | 第17-18页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第18-39页 |
| 2.1 Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第18-30页 |
| 2.1.1 The Nature of Conceptual Metaphor | 第18-20页 |
| 2.1.2 The Classification of Conceptual Metaphor | 第20-25页 |
| 2.1.3 The Working Mechanism of Conceptual Metaphor | 第25-28页 |
| 2.1.4 Systematicity and Coherence in Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第28-30页 |
| 2.2 Metaphoric Competence | 第30-39页 |
| 2.2.1 Definitions of Metaphoric Competence | 第30-31页 |
| 2.2.2 Relationships among Metaphoric Competence, Linguistic Competence and Communicative Competence | 第31-33页 |
| 2.2.3 Importance of Cultivating Metaphoric Competence | 第33-37页 |
| 2.2.4 Teachability of Metaphoric Competence | 第37-39页 |
| Chapter Three An Empirical Study on Metaphoric Competence | 第39-49页 |
| 3.1 Research Questions | 第39页 |
| 3.2 Subjects | 第39-40页 |
| 3.3 Instruments | 第40-44页 |
| 3.3.1 MC Test | 第40-43页 |
| 3.3.2 Reliability and Validity of MC Test Paper | 第43-44页 |
| 3.3.3 Data Collection | 第44页 |
| 3.4 Results and Discussion | 第44-49页 |
| Chapter Four Causes of Low Metaphoric Competence in English | 第49-64页 |
| 4.1 Differences in Conceptual Systems and Thinking Patterns | 第49-52页 |
| 4.2 Differences in Cultures | 第52-56页 |
| 4.2.1 Differences in Geographical Environments | 第53页 |
| 4.2.2 Differences in Customs and Habits | 第53-54页 |
| 4.2.3 Differences in Religious Beliefs | 第54-55页 |
| 4.2.4 Differences in Value Orientations | 第55-56页 |
| 4.3 Negative Transfer of the Native Language | 第56-60页 |
| 4.4 Teacher Factors | 第60-62页 |
| 4.5 Individual Differences among Students | 第62-64页 |
| Chapter Five Strategies to Improve Metaphoric Competence in English | 第64-82页 |
| 5.1 To Cultivate Metaphoric Thinking Patterns | 第64-66页 |
| 5.1.1 Classroom Teaching | 第64-65页 |
| 5.1.2 English Extracurricular Activities | 第65-66页 |
| 5.2 To Strengthen Input of Culture in the Target Language | 第66-71页 |
| 5.2.1 Cultural Media | 第67-70页 |
| 5.2.2 Cultural Participation | 第70-71页 |
| 5.3 To Improve Teachers' Metaphoric Competence | 第71-72页 |
| 5.4 To Implement Metaphor Teaching | 第72-82页 |
| 5.4.1 Syllabus and Textbooks | 第72-74页 |
| 5.4.2 Teaching Activities | 第74-79页 |
| 5.4.3 Assessment | 第79-82页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第82-88页 |
| 6.1 Main Findings of the Thesis | 第82-85页 |
| 6.2 Limitations of the Research | 第85-86页 |
| 6.3 Suggestions for Further Studies | 第86-88页 |
| Appendix | 第88-93页 |
| References | 第93-100页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第100页 |
