◎ 經典考題示範：

一 、 文意字彙

1.There are exceptions to this rule, but 　　　　 this is a good rule of thumb to use.
(a) by and large (b) at large (c) by accident (d) at length

正解： (a)

首先，由空格前表「反向」意涵的對等連接詞可知，其前、後為內容相悖的對等子句，其次，在空格後為完整的子句，這表示，空格中應填入不致影響句意的修飾語。前一個子句提到某一個規則有例外 (exceptions) ，第二個子句則表示但是該規則是個很好的基本法則 (rule of thumb) 。由前後文看來，最適合填入空格中的應該為 (a) by and large( 大體上 ) 。 (b) at large( 逍遙法外 ) 、 (c) by accident( 意外地 ) 與 (d) at length( 最終 ) 皆與句意不符。

2.John, a mathematical 　　　　 , made his name when he was ten.
(a) follower (b) heathen (c) prodigy (d) suspect

正解： (c)

本句主詞為 john, 其後前後用逗號標示出的部份為共同位語。而由同位語之後的述語部份可知， John 10 歲時就已出了名，由此判斷，他應該是個數學 「神童」。正確答案為(c) prodigy 。 (a) follower （跟隨者） 、 (b) heathen （異教徒）， (d) suspect （嫌疑犯）明顯不符句意。

二、同義表達

1.Despite the grim atmosphere in the airline industry, business- and first-class passengers remain a lushly profitable segment.
(a) Although the prospect of the airline industry is not rosy, the airline companies can still make profits from business- and first-class passengers.
(b) The airline industry is attempting to attract more business- and first-class passengers; however, the promotions do not progress as well as expected.
(c) The grim atmosphere in business- and first-class cabins has great impacts on the airline industry.
(d) Business- and first-class passengers cannot bring the airline companies enough profits to support the industry.

正解： (a)

本題重點在於要能夠看懂逗號前由 Despite 引導的介系詞片語與其後主句之間的邏輯關係。 (a) 選項中由從屬連接詞 Although 引導的 「讓步」子句所表達的意涵就相當於原句中由 Despite 所引導的介系片語： although 指 「雖然」、 despite 表 「儘管」而由 although 所引導的子句 the prospect of the airline industry is not rosy 則相當於 despite 之後的名詞片語 the grim atmosphere in the airline industry 。另外， (a) 中主要子句部份 the airline companies can still make profits from business-and first -class passenger 與原句中主句部分 business-and first -class passenger remain a lushly profitable segment 意義亦相同。注意， not rosy=grim 、 still make profits=remainly profitable.

三、克漏字

1.Changes in information technology are both threatening and enhancing the ability of a business to develop long-term relationships with its customers, requiring relationship marketing. The Internet allows a customer to contact a business any time of the day or night from any location to gather information, make purchases, or obtain information on the status of accounts. This information can be 　　　　 to the needs of the individual customer.
(a) personalized (b) visualized (c) maximized (d) categorized

正解： (a)

由前一句提到的 「一個客戶可在任何時間、地點與企業聯絡以取得各類資訊」來判斷，這些資訊顯然是可以依個別客戶需要做「個人化」處理的。正確答案為 (a) personalized。(b) visualized ( 形象化 ) ， (c) maximized （最大化） 、 (d) categorized （分類化）皆與前後文不撘嘎。

2.Companies can also more easily find new customers and serve existing customers by using databases to develop personal profiles and then targeting customers with customized information that can meet specific needs. Amazon.com, 　　　　 , personalizes e-mail, customizes web pages, and offers products based on a buyer's past purchases.

正解： (d)

前一句提到許多企業都客製化 ( customized) 顧客的資料，而本句的主詞 Amazon.com 顯然就是這些企業之一。換言之，本句的功能在於 「舉例」說明前一句話的內容，故本題選(d) for example ，選項 (a) after all 指 「畢竟」、 選項 (b) in addition 指 「此外」，選項 (c) as Usual 則為「一如往常」，三者皆不符前後之間之起承轉合。

試卷評析

本次考試的特色之一就是用慣語考題比較偏高－四題文意字彙中有兩題

※ There are exceptions to this rule, but this is a good rule of thumb to use.

(a) by and large (b) at large (c) by accident (d) at length

※ The experimental project turned out to be a big disaster underestimation and miscalculation.

(a) according to (b) following up (c) on behalf of (d) owing to

考慣用語，主題克漏字中也有出現兩題：

Amazon.com, 　　1　　 , personalizes e-mail, customizes web pages, and offers products based on a buyer's past purchases. Dell develops purchase portals for businesses, allowing for customized purchasing and invoicing. The Internet is 　　2　　 a hyper-competitive environment where information technology is used as a vital part of marketing strategy and relationship development..

1. (a) after all (b) in addition (c) as usual (d) for example

2. (a) carrying away (b) doing without (c) bringing about (d) remarking upon

另外，此次考試閱讀測驗的分量亦加重共兩篇，九道題。而由於第二篇文章屬文學批評類，難度頗高，要將全文看懂並不容易，再加上題目多屬 「推論」題型，因此要在這部分取得高分多少要靠一些運氣。不過，考試當然不能只靠運氣，最重要的還是要有實力。

準備公職英文考試的不變法則就是多記單字、多學片語、活用文法。若能做到這三點，縱便像本次考試遇到較難的閱讀，在文意字彙、同義表達與克漏部分依然可取得高分。 就整體而言，結果應不至於太糟。

考題評析：貝塔語言出版總編審王復國老師