相信不少讀者都有注意到，明（2018）年3月起多益英語測驗（TOEIC）要更新題型了。為此，《English OK》將分別以聽力、閱讀、內容等三面向解析，本篇先從聽力測驗開始，掌握以下三大變革，遇到任何考題都能迎刃而解！
變革一：三人對話找額外線索
掌握對話題的關鍵技巧是「養成先閱讀題目的習慣」，讀完題目後，就能聚焦在需要找出的資訊。而在三人對話裡，聽力播放內容中會清楚說明「Questions xx through xx refer to the following conversation with three speakers.」。第三個人加入對話，大多是為了提供「額外的資訊」或是擔任「語意轉折」的角色。以下列的官方試題為例：
Questions 38 through 40 refer to the following conversation with three speakers.Man 1：Have you two taken a look at the progress they’ve made upstairs on the office expansion? It looks great!
Woman：I know! I can’t believe it! And the offices up there have amazing views of the city.
Man 2 : I wonder which division will move up there when it’s finished.
Woman：I heard it’s the research department.
Man 1：Ah, because they have the most people.
Woman：Probably. I’d love to have an office on that floor, though.
Man 2：Yeah. Well, the company must be making good money if they’re adding that space!
Man 1：I think you’re right, there!38. What is the conversation mainly about?
(A) An enlargement of office space
(B) A move into a new market
(C) An increase in staff numbers
(D) A change in company leadership39. Why does the woman say,“I can’t believe it”?
(A) She strongly disagrees.
(B) She would like an explanation.
(C) She feels disappointed.
(D) She is happily surprised.40. What do the men imply about the company?
(A) It was recently founded.
(B) It is planning to adjust salaries.
(C) It is in a good financial situation.
(D) It has offices in other countries.
Man 2提供的兩則訊息分別引出了「讓別人回答搬遷上去的部門是哪一個」及「提供公司拓展原因」，前者可以與第一句中的office expansion結合，提供更完整的資訊處理第一題，順利選出（A）； 而後者則是回答第三題的必要訊息，因為賺更多錢（making good money）， 所以財務狀況好（in a good financial situation），答案為（C）。
變革二：語意題找目標句
聽力測驗的第二個更動是出現了「語意題」。TOEIC設計精巧，題目中的意思都可以完整呼應不同選項的情境。例如第39題中的「I can’t believe it」，依照情境不同，可以分別代表反對、要求解釋、沮喪以及驚喜。因此，作答時需要專注聆聽題目中的「目標句」，例如從對話例題中傳達出的開心氛圍，以及女士提到擁有懾人的美景（have amazing views of the city），可以判斷出女士想表達的是開心的情緒，所以第39題選（D）。
變革三：參照圖表題
聽力題型第三個變動，則是出現了提供參照的圖表。以官方試題為例：
Questions 80 through 82 refer to the following talk and program.
We’re happy to see you all at this seminar this afternoon—we have a lot of useful information to cover. But before we start, a few administrative details. There will be one break, half way through the afternoon. You can leave your laptops here if you leave the room—there will always be someone in here— but do keep your money and phones or… ah… other small electronic devices with you. Don’t leave them at the tables. And please note that there’s an error in your printed program: there will be a change—a switch—in times for the last two presenters. Ms. Ohta has to leave a little early today.
82. Look at the graphic. Who will be the final presenter?
(A) Ms. Carbajal
(B) Mr. Buteux
(C) Mr. Chambers
(D) Ms. Ohta
這類的題目會在題目前方說明需要參照圖表（look at the graphic），作答時先搜尋標明要看圖表的敘述，才能知道哪個題目需要與圖表相對應。
本部分最重要的概念，就是聽力中會提供一個需要與圖表參照「組合資訊」後才能得出答案的線索。例如第82題在沒有聽力內容的狀況下選（D），但聽完聽力最後一句「there will be a change—a switch—in times for the last two presenters. Ms. Ohta has to leave a little early today」，就會知道Ohta 要先走，所以與倒數第二位講者交換，答案是（C）。
回答圖表題的技巧是將表格資訊依照類別切開。例如這份表格中的內容只有兩類：講者名字與演講時間，而題目問「最後的講者是誰」，應試者只要專注聽講者時間表、講者姓名、最後的講者即可。
（本文試題取材自多益測驗官網「題型更新專區」）
文／李海碩
