今年3月起多益英語測驗(TOEIC)就要更新題型,上一期我們探討了聽力測驗的應考秘訣,本篇接著要介紹閱讀測驗的幾項重要更新。
除了新增即時通訊考題,整體而言著重測試應試者能否快速判別「句子本身」和「前後文」的核心資訊,並整合訊息、回答問題,一起來看看如何接招吧!
變革一》段落填空:選出完整句填入短文
在「段落填空(Text Completion)」中,會有其中一題的四個選項都是句子,如以下例題:
例題1
To: Project Leads
From: James Pak
Subject: Training Courses
To all Pak Designs project leaders:
In the coming weeks, we will be organizing several training sessions for interested employees. At Pak Designs, we believe that with the proper help and support from oursenior project leaders, less experienced staff can quickly develop a deep understanding of the design process. At the same time, they can improve their ability to communicate effectively across divisions. When employees at all experience levels interact, every employee’s competency level rises and the business overall benefits. For that reason, we are urging experienced project leaders to attend each one of the interactive seminars that will be held throughout the coming month. ____(1)____ .
Thank you for your support.
James Pak
Pak Designs
1. (A) Let me explain our plans for onsite staff training.
(B) We hope that you will strongly consider joining us.
(C) Today´s training session will be postponed until Monday.
(D) This is the first in a series of such lectures.
從例題1的文末「Thank you for your support.」的前文「For that reason, we are urging experienced project leaders to attend each one of the interactive seminars(希望有經驗的專案領導人可以參與其中一場互動性的座談會)」來看,核心訊息應該是要「表達邀請」。
接著選項(B)「We hope that you will strongly consider joining us(我們強烈希望您可以考慮共襄盛舉)」也是邀請,兩者句意可以完整連結;其餘選項都無法匹配,故(B)為正解。
變革二》單篇閱讀:將完整句放入正確段落
變革一是給定一個位置,考生需從四個句子中選出正確答案;而變革二則是給定一個句子,考生需判斷題目中四個位置何者正確,重點是要先理解句子的核心內容,才能知道哪個位置最適當。如例題2:
例題2
Noticeboard Space Available to Community Groups
Mooringtown Library is pleased to invite local community groups to use the free advertising space on its new notice board, located outside the front entrance of the library. Space on the board is available for up to four weeks at a time.
Notices must be approved in advance at the library’s front desk and must meet the following requirements. All content must be suitable for public display. The notice must be written or printed on standard-quality paper with dimensions of either 8.5 in x 11 in or 5.5 in x 8.5 in. The desired start and end date for display should be written in the front bottom right corner. ____[1]____. Any notices that do not meet these requirements will not be considered and will be discarded. ____[2]____.
____[3]____. Submissions are now being accepted at the Mooringtown Library front desk. Please have the actual notice, in the format in which you would like it to appear, with you when you arrive. Within one business day, you will receive a call confirming that your notice has been added to the board. ____[4]____.
Mooringtown Library
www.mooringtownlib.co.au
2. In which of the positions marked [1], [2], [3],and [4] does the following sentence best belong? “The name and telephone number of the person posting the notice must be clearly marked on the back."
(A) [1]
(B) [2]
(C) [3]
(D) [4]
題目句「The name and telephone number of the person posting the notice must be clearly marked on the back.(張貼告示者的姓名與電話一定要清晰地註記於背面)」顯示我們要找的前後文要與「張貼告示」及「張貼告示的規範」有關,顯然只有[1] 與[2]。但在[1] 後方、[2] 前方的句子,已經表明「Any notices that do not meet these requirements will not be considered and will be discarded.(不符合規範的告示將不予採用並丟棄)」,顯示所有相關規範都應該在這句話之前敘述,所以答案為位置[1] 的(A)。
變革三》多篇閱讀:增加三篇題組
多益測驗題型更新後,除了既往的兩篇題組類型,新增了三篇題組,如以下例題:
例題3
3. What is most likely true about order #3397?
(A) It arrived within two business days.
(B) It included an extra sample.
(C) It was shipped in February.
(D) It contained four gallons of paint.
4. Which color does Mr. Phan indicate that he likes?
(A) Caspian Blue
(B) Deep Sea Blue
(C) Stormy Blue
(D) Misty Gray
解答:(A)、(C)
多篇閱讀最重要的關鍵就是需要「連結不同文章中的資訊」,必須在不同文章中找出相關訊息,組合之後才能判斷出正確答案。以本例題而言,第3與4題都是訊息連結題。
第3題問到「Order(訂單)#3397」,訂單顯然是第二篇。四個選項中,選項(A)說明兩天內就抵達了,若只看訂單本身,乍看並沒有跟日期有關的資訊,但是下方的「Expedited(快遞服務)」是唯一跟時間有關的內容。所以往第一篇文章搜尋,便會看見第一段的最後一行說明「within 2 business days for an additional expedited shipping fee」,若選擇快遞加速服務,貨品便會在兩天內送達,與選項中的描述相符,因此答案為(A)。
第4題問的是Mr. Phan喜歡哪種顏色。第一封信是廣告,第二封是訂單,第三封是電子郵件。要了解Mr. Phan的喜好,要從具有Phan本人描述的信件中才能找到內容。
果然在電子郵件最末有「That sample worked well in my house」,指的就是前述的SP 722,但是選項中並沒有SP 722,於是再看訂單,會發現SP 722指的是Stormy Blue,因此答案為(C)。
了解更新題型後,相信更能提升閱讀實力,讓我們一起把英文更加活用在生活上吧!
(本文試題取材自多益測驗官網「題型更新專區」)
文/李海碩