TOEIC新多益「完整句子選項」解題技巧大公開

「完整句子選項」基本解題步驟

讓我們用以下的範例文章說明「完整句子選項」題型的答題技巧。

MEMORANDUM
To: All staff
From: Peter Williamson, CEO
Date: October 12, 20--
Subject: How to keep the office green

In order to cut down on the company's overhead costs and promote environmental sustainability, the following are a few simple but straightforward ideas all of us can adopt to help make the office more environmentally friendly.

1. Put the computer to sleep if you are leaving your desk for an extended time. Unplug your computer at the end of every workday.
2. View documents on the computer and limit the amount of printing you do. If you need to print or photocopy a document, use both sides of paper. __1.__.
3. Turn up the temperature during the summer and turn it down during the winter by one or two degrees. This can help save as much as 10 percent on our electricity bills.

More practical information on how to make our working environment a greener place can be found in this week's e-newsletter.

第一題
(A) You can report printer problems to IT.
(B) Recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
(C) Extra paper is available in the supply closet.
(D) Re-use paper that only has printed material on one side.

Step 1: 略讀文章，預測文章結構

在回答任何問題之前，考生應該先快速閱讀文章的前幾行。略讀的功能至少有兩點：(1) 了解文章的大意或目的。掌握文章的大意或目的後，稍後解題時，比較不容易受到陌生字彙的影響；(2) 喚醒我們背景知識，並且利用背景知識預測文章的結構。以範例文章來說，我們可以根據備忘錄的主旨How to keep the office green預測備忘錄正文的三點內容將解釋如何讓辦公室更環保的「方法」。稍後細讀文句時的速度與理解度也會更高。

Step 2: 仔細閱讀空格的前後句，選擇正確答案

以範例文章來說，「完整句子選項」空格前的句子大意為：減少列印的數量，並且盡可能雙面影印。因此，我們可以預測空格裡的句子應該與「列印」或「省紙」有關。四個選項中，只有(D) Re-use paper that only has printed material on one side (重複使用只印了單面的紙)的文意適合。其它的選項，雖然使用了printer、recycle、或paper的字眼，可是選項的意義都跟「省紙」無關，所以皆為錯誤答案。

「轉折語」或「代名詞」

除了使用上述的基本答題步驟，考生在回答「完整句子選項」時，需留意選項中是否有「轉折語」或「代名詞」。如果選項中有轉折語(例如therefore、however、in fact、in addition)的話，考生需留意選項與前後句的「邏輯」關係。如果選項中有代名詞的話，考生則需注意該代名詞與前後句名詞間的「指涉」關係。讓我們用以下的範例段落來說明：

Alexa is proud to introduce to you its latest premium quality food storage containers. These BPA-free food storage containers are made of durable and heat resistant silicone which will last longer than other brands on the market.

__2.__. As the spill proof rubber ring locks in food's freshness, it can prevent germs and bacteria from spreading to your kid's food.

All Alexa food containers can be used repeatedly for both fresh food and leftovers. You can trust us with your family's health because we care and it shows in our products.

第二題
(A) Most importantly, we offer a 100% money back guarantee.
(B) In summary, visit our website to find out more about Alexa.
(C) Therefore, you don't have to worry about spills or leaks.
(D) In addition, they are the perfect solution for storing baby food.

利用略讀，我們得知這是一篇「食物保鮮盒」(food storage containers)的廣告。既然是產品廣告，我們可以預測文章將提到產品的特色與賣點。題目的四個選項的開頭皆是轉折語，所以閱讀時我們必須留意廣告第一段與第二段之間的邏輯關係。第一段的大意為Alexa保鮮盒很耐用。第二段的大意則是Alexa保鮮盒很保鮮。「耐用」與「保鮮」是不同的特色，所以我們需使用選項(D)裡的轉折語in addition(此外)。可是因為選項(D)裡有代名詞they，我們還需要額外確認前句中是否有適當的複數名詞，以及該複數名詞放入they的位置後，句子的意義是否通順。第一段裡有兩個複數名詞these food storage containers與brands。將these food storage containers代入they的位置後，我們得到一個意義適當的句子these food storage containers are the perfect solution for storing baby food (這些食物保鮮盒非常適合保存嬰兒食物)，因此我們可以確認選項(D)為正確答案。

總結

我們希望考生可以利用以上的技巧，藉由判斷「完整句子選項」空格裡的句子與文章整體大意的關係，以及空格裡的句子與前後句的關係，直接看出四個選項裡的正確答案，而不是逐一翻譯四個選項，然後判斷哪個選項才是正確答案。逐一翻譯選項不僅導致解題速度緩慢，更需預設考生沒有字彙問題，可是字彙正是多數考生的心中之痛。當然考生準備多益或學習英語，平時就需要增加字彙量，可是「完整句子選項」的新題型，主要在考察考生的整題閱讀以及句子之間邏輯關係的思考能力，而不僅是對於個別句子的字面理解。相同的出題邏輯，也出現在第七部分的新題型「句子插入題」。所以請持續關注我們的學習文章，一起戰勝新制多益喔！