那句不該出現的句子:Part 6 Text Completion 的文法銜接
你已經考了四十分鐘。Part 5 寫完了。你進入 Part 6,第一篇文章是一封關於辦公室整修的親切備忘錄。前三個空格都是選字題。簡單。你正順順地往下寫。
然後第四個空格——這次不是單一單字,選項全是完整的句子。四個完整句子,每一句文法都乾淨無瑕,每一句都在講辦公室整修。它們聽起來好像都能放進去。時鐘輕拍你的肩膀。你選了那個「感覺對」的,因為主題吻合,然後繼續往下寫。
壞消息來了:TOEIC 的插入句題目其實不是在考主題吻合。它們考的是文法銜接——時態、代名詞、連接詞,以及資訊順序。錯誤選項通常都跟文章主題完美吻合。那正是陷阱。正確答案是那個能接上文章正在進行的文法對話的句子。
我們把它拆開來看,讓你在計時壓力下也能認出它。
這個技巧在 TOEIC 聽力與閱讀的哪裡出現
這個陷阱出現在 Part 6: Text Completion。Part 6 有四篇簡短的商業文章——備忘錄、email、通知、文章——每篇有四個空格,共十六題。每篇文章中,這四個空格裡有一個是要插入的完整句子。所以整個大題你會遇到四道插入句題目,而它們大幅偏向篇章文法,不是字彙。
你在 Part 7: Reading Comprehension 也會看到同一種能力的較淺版本:連貫性題目有時會問哪一句最適合接在某段落之後,但正式的插入句題目是 Part 6 的特產。
陷阱 1:時態連貫
訣竅在這裡。文章用著某一種時態在跑,而其中一個候選句悄悄切換到另一種時態。
不適合:
The renovation team has been working on the third floor since Monday. We finished the lobby last week.
文章用現在完成式("has been working")描述進行中的工作。插入句卻掉進簡單過去式("finished")並帶上明確時間。這是毫無理由的時態切換——文章並沒有發出訊號要轉入一個已結束的過去事件。讀者的腦袋會卡住。
較適合:
The renovation team has been working on the third floor since Monday. They have already completed the lobby and the main staircase.
現在完成式延續下去。語流順暢。看到插入句題目時,先掃過周圍句子的動詞。正確答案幾乎總是吻合那個時態模式。
陷阱 2:指涉與代名詞連貫
現在主題以更陰險的方式偏移。
不適合:
Westbrook Logistics announced a new delivery schedule effective next month. She expects the change to improve on-time rates.
文章在談一家公司。候選句卻丟進一個沒有先行詞的 "she"。即使三句之前提過某位 CEO,讀者當下在追蹤的主詞是這家公司,不是某個人。代名詞的指涉斷掉了。
較適合:
Westbrook Logistics announced a new delivery schedule effective next month. The company expects the change to improve on-time rates.
或者,如果前一句剛介紹了一個人:
...says Westbrook Logistics CEO Sandra Park. She expects the change to improve on-time rates.
讀選項時問自己:讀者現在追蹤的是哪個名詞? 正確的句子會尊重這一點。
陷阱 3:連接詞不匹配
很多考生在這裡跌得最重,因為用錯連接詞仍然能產生一個文法正確的句子。
不適合:
The new software has reduced processing time by 40 percent. However, customer satisfaction scores have risen sharply this quarter.
"However" 表示轉折。但處理速度更快和滿意度更高是互相吻合的——它們是同一則好消息的兩個部分。連接詞在跟語意打架。
較適合:
The new software has reduced processing time by 40 percent. As a result, customer satisfaction scores have risen sharply this quarter.
當候選句以 however、nevertheless、in contrast、on the other hand 開頭時,問自己這兩個想法是否真的互相矛盾。如果沒有,那一句就是陷阱。也要留意相反的情況:當前一句並沒有真的造成下一句時,句子卻以 therefore 或 as a result 開頭。
陷阱 4:資訊流違規
最後一個陷阱最精緻。候選句文法正確、主題對、時態也吻合——但資訊順序錯了。
不適合(跳到前頭):
The cafeteria will close for renovations starting June 1. Employees should use the side entrance near the parking garage during this period.
等等。哪個側門?文章還沒提過任何關於入口的事。候選句指涉了一個頁面上還不存在的資訊。它該放在更後面的句子,等側門被介紹之後。
不適合(重複):
The cafeteria will close for renovations starting June 1. The cafeteria will be closed for renovations beginning in June.
候選句只是前一句的換句話說。TOEIC 有時會埋這種干擾項,因為某些考生在找「主題吻合」,就會抓它。
較適合:
The cafeteria will close for renovations starting June 1. During the closure, hot meals will be available in the second-floor lounge.
新的句子增添了資訊,讓文章的下一句可以接著建立起來。每個細節的出現都是掙來的。
錯誤 / 較佳 / 原因
| 錯誤 | 較佳 | 原因 |
|---|---|---|
| 文章用現在完成式;插入 "We finished the lobby last week." | "They have already completed the lobby and the main staircase." | 時態連貫——吻合文章進行中的時態樣態。 |
| 文章談一家公司;插入 "She expects the change to improve rates." | "The company expects the change to improve rates." | 代名詞指涉必須指向讀者正在追蹤的名詞。 |
| 兩個想法吻合;插入 "However, satisfaction scores rose." | "As a result, satisfaction scores rose." | 連接詞必須吻合邏輯關係,不只是聽起來正式。 |
| 在任何入口被介紹之前就插入 "Employees should use the side entrance near the garage." | "During the closure, hot meals will be available in the second-floor lounge." | 資訊流——不要指涉文章還沒鋪陳好的細節。 |
| 插入前一句的換句話說。 | 一個增添新資訊、讓下一句能接著建立的句子。 | 新資訊應該推進文章,而不是讓它原地打轉。 |
考試當天策略
Part 6 的節奏大約是每題 45–60 秒。每篇文章的三個選字空格,你可以更快——每題大概 30–40 秒。這樣省下來的時間預算,就能讓你在插入句題目上花60–70 秒,那才是分數真正一決勝負的地方。
遇到插入句空格時,照這個順序做。首先,讀緊接在空格前的那一句,以及緊接在空格後的那一句。注意兩句的時態。注意周圍句子指的是公司、人,還是物。注意邏輯關係:這些想法是吻合、轉折,還是互為因果?
接著讀四個選項。剔除任何沒有預警就切換時態的。剔除任何代名詞先行詞不清楚的。剔除任何連接詞跟語意打架的。你通常會剩下一兩個入圍者。選那個增添了新資訊、能讓下一句倚靠的。
如果時間快用完了,連接詞檢查是你最快的篩子——大約十秒內就能至少刪掉一個選項。
小試身手
讀每段短文,為空格挑出最適合的句子。
1. "Our quarterly newsletter has been arriving late for several months. _______ We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience."
A) The newsletter was redesigned last summer. B) We have identified the cause and corrected the mailing process. C) However, our digital edition launches in October. D) She has been overseeing the production schedule.
2. "Greenwood Cafe will host a coffee-tasting event on Saturday. _______ Guests can sample five single-origin blends and meet the roasters."
A) The event was a great success. B) Therefore, the cafe will be closed all day. C) The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. D) It refers to the new seasonal menu.
3. "Marston Consulting has expanded its operations to three new cities this year. _______ This growth reflects strong demand in the regional market."
A) She plans to retire in December. B) The firm now serves clients in Denver, Austin, and Portland. C) However, the company is reducing its workforce. D) The new offices closed last quarter.
Answer key:
1. B — present perfect continuity ("has been arriving" → "have identified"), agrees in logic, advances the apology.
2. C — adds new information (time) that the next sentence builds on; A is past, B uses wrong connector, D has a broken pronoun.
3. B — adds the specific cities the next sentence ("this growth") refers to; A drops in a stray pronoun, C contradicts, D contradicts the timeline.
重點回顧
- Part 6 的插入句題目是篇章文法題,不是主題吻合題。
- 依序檢查時態連貫、代名詞指涉、連接詞邏輯,以及資訊流。
- 錯誤選項常常跟主題完美吻合;那就是誘餌。
- 把你在選字空格省下來的時間預算花在這裡;插入句題目會回報你多花十秒仔細閱讀的功夫。
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