| Acknowledgement | 第1-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-9页 |
| 中文摘要 | 第9-11页 |
| Chapter one Introduction | 第11-17页 |
| ·Background of the present study | 第11-13页 |
| ·Purpose and significance of the research | 第13-16页 |
| ·Organization of this thesis | 第16-17页 |
| Chapter two Literature review | 第17-36页 |
| ·Theoretical framework | 第17-18页 |
| ·Definitions of ambiguity and TOA/ITOA | 第18-21页 |
| ·Classifications of ambiguity | 第21-23页 |
| ·Positive and creative uses of ambiguity | 第23-24页 |
| ·Measuring TOA/ITOA | 第24-25页 |
| ·Main studies and findings both home and abroad | 第25-36页 |
| ·Main research and findings in the field of psychology | 第25-28页 |
| ·Related research and findings in SLA | 第28-36页 |
| ·Main research and findings abroad | 第28-33页 |
| ·Domestic research and findings | 第33-36页 |
| Chapter three Methodology | 第36-39页 |
| ·Subjects | 第36页 |
| ·Instruments | 第36-38页 |
| ·questionnaire | 第37页 |
| ·English proficiency test | 第37-38页 |
| ·Data collection and analysis | 第38-39页 |
| Chapter four Results and discussion | 第39-51页 |
| ·Similarities and differences in TOA by gender | 第39-42页 |
| ·Similarities in TOA by gender | 第40-41页 |
| ·Differences in TOA by gender | 第41-42页 |
| ·Factors contributing to differences in TOA by gender | 第42-45页 |
| ·Differences in TOA by proficiency | 第45-48页 |
| ·Factors contributing to differences in TOA by proficiency | 第48-51页 |
| Chapter five Conclusion | 第51-54页 |
| ·A Summary of the major findings | 第51页 |
| ·Theoretical and pedagogical implications | 第51-53页 |
| ·Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research | 第53-54页 |
| References | 第54-63页 |
| Appendix 1 Post hoc multiple comparisons of TOA by proficiency | 第63-69页 |
| Appendix 2 Questionnaire survey | 第69-71页 |
| Appendix 3 Basic information about the subjects | 第71-76页 |
| 个人简介 | 第76-77页 |
