TOEIC 閱讀突破 4：自問自答的閱讀過程

【多益攻略 】

◆ TOEIC 閱讀突破 4 ：自問自答的閱讀過程 (By 哈佛名師蘇豔文老師 )

很多讀者瀏覽過整篇文章後就會開始答題。技巧較好的讀者通常會一邊循序掃描文章內容，一邊設定閱讀的目的，也就是積極地猜題，並在文章前前後後找尋解答。等到真正答題的時候，有些答案早就在腦海裡準備好了，可以馬上作答。回頭找答案的次數少，答題的速度就會快。

TOEIC 閱讀測驗所涵蓋的文體甚廣，常見的有表格、帳單、廣告、通知、公告、備忘錄、邀請函、來電留言、徵人啟示、公司簡介、商業書信、報章雜誌文章等等。但事實上 TOEIC 問題的類型十分有限，最常見的為下列三種：

(1) 主旨題：問文件的重點。

What's the best title for this article?
What's the main point of this letter?
What kind of product is being promoted?
What service is being offered?

(2) 推論題：這類考題要求推論文件的情境，也就是文中未明確說明的原因、結果、目的、對象等。

What's the purpose of this letter?
What's this form for?
To whom is this memo addressed?
Who issued this notice?
What does the author imply . . . .?

(3) 細節題：要求覆述文中提及之明確資訊，例如日期、地名、人名、數字等。

According to the passage, which of the following is true?
Which of the following is NOT listed . . . ?
When/Where/How/Why/What/Who/How many . . .?

TOEIC 的細節題，可以利用關鍵字回頭在文中的對應句中找到解答。這類文章比較容易，但是瑣碎費時。而 TOEIC 的主旨題和推論題卻往往可以在閱讀的過程中經由自問自答，預先找好答案，因此成為答題速度的關鍵。

答題技巧

(1) 主旨題

閱讀每一份文件時都應該設法找出文章的主旨，就好像射箭時要設法命中靶心一樣。找出文件重點最快的方法就是問自己，如果要給這篇文章一個標題，會用哪幾個關鍵字。

舉例而言，例一的重點應該是下面用粗體標示的幾個字：

例一

Knowing what products to sell and how to sell them is fundamental to doing business. Unfortunately, the research and analysis of market trends and necessary to do business well is a complex and time-consuming task that few companies have the resources to properly undertake. It is just to fill this need that McKenna Consulting was founded in 1997. With over five years in business and extensive research data charting marketing developments since the 1960s, McKenna Consulting has the statistics and business insight to guide your existing management vision and add factual backbone to your marketing strategy.

於是回答下列主旨題時，就容易找到解答：

問題： What service is being offered?

(A) Factual data analysis
(B) Marketing and distribution
(C) Statistical software solutions
(D) Management training courses

正確答案是 (A) 。這份廣告主要說明 McKenna 顧問公司擅長分析數據、研究市場潮流趨勢，以作為客戶選擇行銷策略的參考。

(2) 推論題

TOEIC 推論題的比例相當高，最常問的是文件是誰寫的、給誰看的、目的為何。假設把每一份文件看作一份禮物，那麼圍繞著禮物的外緣關係，包括收送禮物的人和場合，都有深遠的意義，其重要性並不亞於禮物的內容。因此在閱讀 TOEIC 的文件時，特別要預先考量這些問題。與細節題最大的不同是：細節題常只有一個單一的對應句可以直接協助解題，推論題卻常有多個答題線索，必須多方間接推測。

例二

Customer Service Evaluation

1.How would you rate our parking attendant and baggage service? __ / 10
2.How would you rate our reception desk? __ / 10
3.What did you think of the cleanliness of your room? __ / 10
4.If you used the exercise facilities, how would you rate them? __ / 10.
5.Please write any addition suggestions below.

__________________________________________________

問題： What sort of organization is requesting feedback?

(A) A hospital
(B) A sports club
(C) An airport
(D) A hotel

正確答案是 (D) 。涉及 baggage, the cleanliness of your room, 和 exercise facilities 這三個線索的地方應該是 a hotel 。

例三

To Donald Michaelson
From Miriam Went
Subject Re: Life Insurance
Date 17 July 2003 08:28
Dear Mr. Michaelson,

Thank you for your interest in Trent Life's family health insurance package. To answer your question: Yes, your individual health plan can be converted to a family plan covering both you and your wife for an additional rate of $47 per month, provided both of you are under 40 years of age and neither of you has any existing medical conditions.

If you are interested in switching to this new plan, your wife and yourself need to complete the attached medical declaration and application forms and mail them our office at your earliest convenience.

Regards,

Miriam West [mwest@trentlife.com]
問題： What is the purpose of this e-mail?

(A) To respond to a question
(B) To introduce a special deal
(C) To renew Mrs. Michaelson's policy
(D) To announce a rate increase

正確答案是 (A) 。最明顯的提示是 “ To answer your question: Yes . . . . ” 可以推論 Michaelson 先寫 e-mail 問了一個問題，而這是 Went 的答覆。常使用電子郵件的人會發現有另一個線索，最上方 Subject ( 主旨 ) 的地方註明 “ Re: Life Insurance ”，“ Re ” 是 “ reply ” 的意思，表示這個 e-mail 是一封回函。

(3) 細節題

TOEIC 的細節題常是很單純的覆述題，利用關鍵字找到對應句就可找到解答。因此閱讀的時候大可放心略過日期、人名、地名和數字等細節，以免增加記憶的負擔而減緩速度。這就好像我們去開車去遠方旅遊時，只需要記住大概的路線圖；至於一路上每個地方的詳細地名，等到有必要時再看地圖搜尋就行了。不過回答細節題找對應句時要注意關鍵字有時會被同義字替換掉。

例四

Bluetech Corporation would like to congratulate its employees on their successful bid to enter the Electricians and Systems Engineers Union 2168, and inform them of the following changes. According to Union guidelines, employees working in our production facilities will now receive two coffee breaks instead of one, from 10.30 to 10.00 and 3:00 to 3:30, in addition to their regular lunch break. Please also note that beginning next month, union dues will be deducted from all employees' wages.

問題： What does the notice say about union membership fees?

(A) They will be collected annually.
(B) Bluetech Corp. will pay them.
(C) They apply only to production workers.
(D) They will be subtracted from pay.

正確答案是 (D) 。關鍵字 “ union membership fees ” = “ union dues ”。本文對應句為 “ Please also note that beginning next month, union dues will be deducted from all employees ' wages. ” “ deduct ” = “ subtract ”。

例五

Logisticians at Global Aid are responsible for ordering and storing supplies, basic bookkeeping, transportation, communications, and supervision of local staff. This position requires excellent communication skills, and the ability for independent work. In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements:

‧ Commitment to non-profit development and humanitarian work

‧ Two years related work experience

‧ Competence in at least one of French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese

‧ Previous experience living or traveling in a developing nation

‧ A technical background in at least two of vehicle mechanics, energy and electricity, communications, water and sanitation, and construction

問題： What is NOT a requirement for the successful applicant?

(A) A second language
(B) Overseas experience
(C) First-aid training
(D) Technical knowledge

正確答案是 (C) 。一一檢視各個選項，只有 (C) 選項沒有提及。

若是連續有 2-3 題的細節題，也不必慌張，通常題目的順序會依照這些細節在文件裏出現的順序，因此只要按順序由上往下找關鍵字和對應句就可以找到答案了。

練習，再練習
閱讀和解題方法畢竟都只是抽象的理論，要養成更有效率的閱讀習慣，還必須靠不斷的實地演練：

多做模擬試題；閱讀的時候積極尋找文章的主旨並推論寫作的目的與對象；培養對一些特定主題 ( 政治、經濟、科學、文化 ) 的興趣，並做延伸閱讀。

假以時日，相信你不但可以在考試的閱讀項目得高分，平日也可以充分享受閱讀的樂趣。