英文

第31至34題為題組
While offering budget-conscious travelers a unique option， capsule hotels may not be suitable for everyone. Some hotels may not provide air conditioning in the capsules， leading to poor air flow. ___34___
(A) In response to rising demands， these hotels are embracing a wave of innovation.
(B) The room’s thin plastic walls easily transmit the sound of snoring made by neighboring guests.
(C) The chambers are stacked side-by-side， two units high， with the upper rooms reached by a ladder.
(D) Today， they provide low-budget， overnight lodging in commerce centers in large cities worldwide.

第35至38題為題組
While waiting to cross the street at busy intersections， have you ever wondered who invented the traffic light? Most people credit the first traffic light to Nottingham engineer John Peake Knight. A railway manager， Knight specialized in designing the signaling system for Britain’s growing railway network in the 1860s. He saw no reason why this could not be adapted for use on the busy London intersections. Thus， he proposed a signaling system based on the railway movable-arm signal: Arms extending horizontally commanded drivers to stop， whereas arms lowered to a 45-degree angle told drivers to move on， resembling a traffic director’s gestures. Red and green gas lamps were added to the signal for use at night. A police officer was stationed by the side to operate the system.

Knight’s traffic signal was installed near London’s Westminster Bridge in December 1868， but the system was short-lived. A gas leak one month later caused an explosion in the lights， injuring the policeman operating it. Deemed a public hazard， the project was immediately dropped， and traffic lights were banned until their return in 1929 back to the British streets.

In the early 1900s， versions of the British traffic lights appeared in big cities in America， where traffic was on a sharp rise. Systems using movable arms were popular in Chicago， while those using the red and green lights were adopted in San Francisco. Patents with innovations on Knight’s ideas were filed nationwide. A major breakthrough was the yellow light invented by a Detroit police officer William Potts. Installed in Detroit in 1920， Potts’ three-color system allowed for the added signal “proceed with caution” to be displayed.

Now， with the emergence of self-driving cars， researchers have begun to suggest that traffic signals are no longer necessary. Intersections will operate in a way that cars automatically adjust their speed to cross through， while maintaining safe distances from other vehicles. In the near future， we may experience a brand new form of traffic management!
What is this passage mainly about?
(A) The evolution of traffic control systems.
(B) The inventors of traffic lights in history.
(C) The functions of different traffic signals.
(D) The development of modern transportation.

第35至38題為題組
Which of the following statements is true， according to the passage?
(A) Knight was injured in the explosion of his traffic light.
(B) Potts’ traffic light was the first one to appear in the USA.
(C) The first traffic signal originated from the idea of a traffic director.
(D) Future vehicles may not need traffic lights to cross an intersection.

第35至38題為題組
Here is a sentence: “This design was adopted in later traffic light designs across the world.””
Which paragraph is most suitable to have it as the final sentence?
(A) Paragraph 1.
(B) Paragraph 2.
(C) Paragraph 3.
(D) Paragraph 4.”

第39至42題為題組
Typically featuring zombies and serial killers， horror movies are too frightening to be fun for some people. But many others enjoy a good fear spectacle， and line up to see the latest scary movie. Given the variations in preferences， new studies have started to untangle the benefits and risks of horror movies.

One benefit of horror movies revolves around the concept of so-called “safe fear.”” When watching a frightening film， people are in the comfort of their own home or theater seats rather than under the threat of any real danger. In a controlled environment， these films may actually reduce the negative impact on viewers and help them become tougher. Secondly， as people are drawn into the story， they tend to take the perspective of the characters and rehearse the plot unconsciously. Researchers believe that viewers are **learning vicariously** this way， picking up tips on how to handle threats in the real world. In addition， studies show that the thrill and excitement linked with scary films can be therapeutic: It allows viewers to release bottled-up emotions and experience a sense of relief after the movie is over. This probably explains why during the COVID-19 pandemic， horror and pandemic thrillers were the most-watched movies on digital movie apps.

However， researchers also find that horror movies can have negative effects on some people. People who are more sensitive to anxiety can panic after viewing a thriller. For those with unpleasant experiences， trauma may be triggered by the themes and images in the movies， which could make their symptoms worse. Furthermore， watching horror movies can disturb sleep patterns， as the residual fear and anxiety they evoke may keep people awake all night， thus leading to fatigue and irritability the following day. Finally， specialists warn that frightening films can have a negative impact on children. Children under 14 who watch horror movies have a greater chance of developing anxiety later in adulthood. Worse yet， exposure to graphic violence and bloodshed can make them less sensitive to real-life violence and more accepting of aggression.
What field of study does the research mentioned in the passage most likely belong to?
(A) Psychology.
(B) Education.
(C) Philosophy.
(D) Communication.”

第39至42題為題組
What does the author mean by “**learning vicariously**”” in the second paragraph?
(A) Making inquiries without reservation.
(B) Gaining knowledge through observation.
(C) Acquiring insights by face-to-face interaction.
(D) Obtaining information from personal experience.”

第39至42題為題組
Which of the following statements about horror movies can be inferred from the passage?
(A) Most horror movie lovers are prone to aggressive behavior.
(B) There are far more benefits to horror movies than disadvantages.
(C) COVID-19 was an important source of inspiration for horror movies.
(D) Watching horror movies may have a long-term effect on personality.

第39至42題為題組
How does the author develop the ideas in this passage?
(A) By defining and illustrating a concept.
(B) By showing opposing views of an issue.
(C) By presenting cause and effect of a problem.
(D) By providing steps for settling a disagreement.

第43至46題為題組
Russia is widely portrayed as the most alcohol-dependent country in the world. Critics of the country say that drinking is almost an inherent trait of the Russian people. However， there is more to the story.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages was unusual in ancient Russia. Before the adoption of Christianity in Russia (10th century)， there were no vineyards and therefore no wine. People only drank beverages with low alcohol content. Vodka， Russia’s national drink， was not a Russian invention. The liquid was originally a grape alcohol introduced from France in the late 14th century. The first Russian-made vodka appeared in the 15th century， and the drink remained relatively low in alcohol content until the mid-18th century.

There is contradictory information about Russians’ inclination toward alcohol in the 15th and 16th centuries. Some documents noted that Russians “indulge in excessive drinking whenever the occasion arises，”” while others claimed that Russians “”rarely drink wine.”” The heaviest drinkers in medieval Europe were actually Germans. There were many sayings about their desire for alcohol， such as “”drunk as a German.””

The Russian state played a significant role in the spread of alcohol consumption in the country. In the 19th century， the emperors began to establish a state monopoly， largely due to the rise of illegal production of low-quality vodka. Thus， only the government was permitted to produce the alcohol. This soon filled the state treasury with huge revenues， but it also encouraged vodka consumption. The situation worsened when the industrial production of vodka began in the country， causing its prices to drop sharply and making it available to even low-income citizens.

Meanwhile， a powerful anti-alcohol movement started in the 19th century. Government policies were made and public organizations established to prevent the spread of alcoholism in the country. The movement continued over the years; however， the problem remains. Although Russia does not occupy first place when it comes to alcohol consumption per capita， it is still close to the top.
What is the main purpose of the second paragraph in the passage?
(A) To discuss the content of alcoholic drinks in ancient Europe.
(B) To highlight the French impact on Russians’ drinking habits.
(C) To argue against the assumption that Russians are born drinkers.
(D) To link Russians’ vodka consumption to their adoption of Christianity.”