主旨歸納

[題組:第48-51題]Since golf started in the \(15^{th }\) century, many advances have occurred in the game, including significant changes to the golf ball. Early golf was played with a rounded wooden ball before the Featherie, a leather sack stuffed with goose or chicken feathers, became the norm. Then, in 1848, the Gutta Percha ball was introduced, which was made from the juice of the leaves of the gutta tree (a tropical tree native to Malaysia) and was considerably more durable and affordable than its predecessor. The next advancement occurred in the early 1900s with the development of the Haskell. It was the first ball featuring a center rubber core and an outer cover. The Haskell traveled up to 20 yards farther than the Gutta Percha ball and was more durable. In 1905, William Taylor introduced the first dimpled ball, a ball covered with tiny holes on the surface. By the 1930s, golf balls with rows of dimples were accepted as the standard design. Most golf balls today consist of rubber thread wound around a rubber core and coated with dimpled enamel.
Dimples play an important role in a golf ball’s performance because these markings and patterns enhance the ball’s aerodynamics. When a ball is hit and moves through the air, it experiences two major aerodynamic forces: lift and drag. Drag slows the forward motion, and lift acts in a direction vertical to it. With dimples added to the ball, the force that pulls back on the ball is minimized, allowing it to travel faster and longer. Dimples also help to force the airflow downward, which pushes the ball upward. These are the same principles of aerodynamics that airplanes use to fly. In general, golf balls with small, shallow dimples tend to have a longer, lower flight path, whereas those with deeper dimples have a higher flight path. Golfers can choose their balls based on what they need for a particular shot or for particular weather.
48. Which of the following best states the main idea of the first paragraph?
(A) Science and technology have influenced the game of golf.
(B) Price, durability, and function determine the quality of golf balls.
(C) Accumulated efforts have resulted in changes in how golf balls are made.
(D) Golfers who have a sound knowledge of aerodynamics play the game well.

[題組:第36-39題]Early civilizations often built drainage systems in urban areas to handle rainwater that ran down the street during a storm. The Romans constructed elaborate systems that also drained wastewater from the public baths. However, as the population of the cities grew, the old drainage systems became overloaded. During the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing waste was added to sewage, which increased the need for more efficient sewage treatment. In the mid- \(19^{th }\) century, the first steps were taken to treat wastewater.
Sewage or wastewater treatment in modern times is the process of removing harmful physical, chemical, and biological elements from wastewater and house sewage. The whole process starts with screening out large objects such as paper and wood, and removing heavy materials like dirt. The screened wastewater is then ready to go through a series of concrete tanks for further treatment. In the second step, the sewage passes into the primary tanks. Here, human waste, called sludge, settles to the bottom while oils and grease float to the top, where they are collected. At the same time, organic matter like eggshells or coffee grounds in the sewage is broken down into smaller substances. The remaining sewage then enters the secondary tanks for the third stage of treatment. The solids that were not treated in the primary tanks are removed here through decomposition, which digests the material. Then, the liquid sewage is filtered through sand. This filtering process gets rid of almost all bacteria, as well as other solid particles that remain in the water. Finally, the wastewater flows into the last tanks, where the chemical chlorine is added to kill the remaining bacteria. After the bacteria are destroyed, the chlorine is eliminated from the water, and the treated clean water is discharged into a river or the ocean.
36. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) The elements of sewage.
(B) The treatment of wastewater.
(C) The history of draining systems.
(D) The ways to control manufacturing waste.

[題組:第40-43題]The planet’s deepest point is in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, which lies miles below the sea surface. According to a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, even in this remote locale, creatures cannot escape pollution.
A team of researchers recently sent a remotely operated vehicle into the depths of the Mariana Trench. They found that extraordinarily high levels of forbidden industrial chemicals are contaminating marine life more than 7 miles deep in the trench. The small hard-shelled marine life that the robotic submarine brought to the surface was polluted with toxic chemicals, with toxin levels 50 times greater than those of the most heavily polluted rivers in the world.
These pollution levels were not the only alarming aspect of the discovery. The types of compounds found were all considered “persistent organic pollutants” (POPs), meaning they stick around in the environment for a very long time. Two of the most prevalent types are PCBs and PBDEs. PCBs were once used in many industrial applications, but were outlawed in the United States in the 1970s after being linked to cancer. Similarly, PBDEs were used in a wide range of products-from electronics to couch cushions. Neither chemical breaks down in the environment.
These compounds stick to the surface of materials like plastic. Many creatures mistakenly eat this colorful but toxic material, causing the POPs to build up in their bodies, lurking in their fat tissues. When these sea creatures die, their POP-riddled bodies sink to the ocean floor, where deep-sea marine life eat their remains. POPs are therefore transferred to other creatures along the food chain.
The Mariana Trench is many miles away from any industrial source. This suggests that these pollutants travel over long distances despite having been prohibited worldwide decades ago.
40. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) The decrease of polluted creatures in the food chain.
(B) Using remote control in research on marine pollution.
(C) Pollution of the deep sea by persistent toxic chemicals.
(D) Types of chemical pollution caused by industrial applications.

[題組:第48-51題]In 2015, President Obama of the USA signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), replacing the Bush-era No Child Left Behind (NCLB) that had been in effect since 2001. This new Act provides states with more decision-making power regarding curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Below are some big-picture ideas influencing many states as they approach the assessment task.
One important idea is flexibility. For years, states have used standardized K-12 assessments, similar to the SAT and ACT for college application, to measure student achievement. They are easy to use, but they fail to give a complete picture of how a student is progressing. Thus, states are rethinking one-size-fits-all standardized assessments and are instead considering personalized, student-centered assessments in schools. Obviously, the task is difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, modern technology can help solve this dilemma. For instance, computer adaptive assessments can automatically adjust questions based on a student’s performances on the previous questions. This mechanism prevents the computer from giving questions that are obviously too easy or too difficult for the student. It thus allows teachers to quickly assess a student’s level of understanding and provide instant feedback to help in the learning process.
Another idea is multi-subject testing. Several states have started to incorporate subjects beyond the traditional math and reading items in their K-12 assessments. All 50 states include tests on science at least twice prior to senior high school, and some are now starting to include social studies, government, or economics. Some states are also moving toward assessing multiple subjects on one test, for example, reading and social studies.
A third idea is the emphasis on students’ learning process. In pursuit of a student-centered approach, many states are putting more emphasis on assessments throughout the learning process rather than on traditional end-of-year summative tests. Teachers are encouraged to accumulate data at different points in their students’ learning process. These data together present a more complete picture of a student’s learning.
The last idea regards the purpose of assessment. Assessment should be used to inform both teachers’ instruction and students’ learning. Teachers can modify their teaching based on students’ performance on tests; students can identify their own problems and make plans for improvement.
48. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?
(A) Computers and Assessments
(B) The Four Components of ESSA
(C) Student-Centered Curriculum and Instruction
(D) From NCLB to ESSA, with a Focus on Assessment

[題組:第40-43題]Storm chasing is broadly defined as the pursuit of any severe weather condition, for reasons ranging from curiosity, adventure, and scientific exploration to media coverage.
Chasing often involves driving thousands of miles in order to witness a relatively short window of time of severe weather. It is not uncommon for a storm chaser to end up empty-handed on any particular day. Most storm chasers are not professional meteorologists, and many chasers devote significant time and effort to learning meteorology, the study of the atmosphere, and the weather forming process. The amount of equipment used for storm chasing also varies. Some prefer a minimalist approach where only basic photographic equipment is taken on a chase, while others use everything from satellite-based tracking systems and live data feeds to vehicle-mounted weather stations and hail guards.
There are inherent dangers involved in pursuing hazardous weather. These range from lightning and tornadoes to unsafe road conditions and reduced visibility from heavy rain. In some situations, a severe downburst airstream can happen unexpectedly and push automobiles around. Tornadoes affect a relatively small area and are predictable enough to be avoided if a safe distance is maintained. Lightning, however, is an unavoidable hazard. “Core punching,” which is storm chasers’ slang for driving through the part of a thunderstorm that has the heaviest rain to collect critical information, is recognized as extremely hazardous.
Today, interest in storm chasing has surged. Amateurs and YouTube fame seekers with video cameras now race with professionals to see who can get the closest and most dramatic images of churning storms, and this is causing a growing safety threat. A group of storm-chase veterans has advocated the adoption of a code of ethics emphasizing safety, courtesy, and objectivity. However, many chasers oppose self-policing, as is often the case with people involved in other dangerous leisure activities.
40. What is the second paragraph mainly about?
(A) General facts regarding storm chasing.
(B) Common equipment used by storm chasers.
(C) Shared characteristics among storm chasers.
(D) Meteorological knowledge crucial to storm chasing.

[題組:第44-47題]47. What is the last paragraph mainly about?
(A) The origins and sizes of the signs in the Signpost Forest.
(B) The quantity and variety of the signs in the Signpost Forest.
(C) The difficulty of categorizing the signs in the Signpost Forest.
(D) The practice of nailing illegal signs to the posts in the Signpost Forest.

[題組:第48-51題]49. What is the second paragraph mainly about?
(A) The cause of economic recession.
(B) Changes in currency rates and European powers.
(C) World War II and the drop in gold prices.
(D) The rise of a new currency exchange system.

[題組:第36-39題]Tempeh (or tempe), a traditional soy product from Indonesia, is hailed as the country’s “gift to the world,” like kimchi from Korea or miso from Japan.
A stable, cheap source of protein in Indonesia for centuries, tempeh is a fermented food originating from the island of Java. It was discovered during tofu production when discarded soybean residue caught microbial spores from the air and grew certain whitish fungi around it. When this fermented residue was found to be edible and tasty, people began producing it at home for daily consumption across the country. This has given rise to many variations in its flavor and texture throughout different Indonesian regions.
Tempeh is high in protein and low in fat, and contains a host of vitamins. In fact, it is the only reported plant-based source of vitamin B12. Apart from being able to help reduce cholesterol, increase bone density, and promote muscle recovery, tempeh has a lot of polyphenols that protect skin cells and slow down the aging process. Best of all, with the same protein quality as meat and the ability to take on many flavors and textures, tempeh is a great meat substitute-something the vegetarian and vegan communities have been quick in adopting.
In addition to its highly nutritional makeup, tempeh has diverse preparation possibilities. It can be served as a main course (usually in curries) or a side dish to be eaten with rice, as a deep-fried snack, or even blended into smoothies and healthy juices. Though not yet a popular food among international diners, you may find tempeh-substituted BLTs (bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwiches) in San Francisco as easily as you can find vegetarian burgers with tempeh patties in Bali.
For the people of Indonesia, tempeh is not just food but also has cultural value. With the Indonesian traditional fabric batik being recognized by UNESCO as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” tempeh has great potential for this honor as well.
36. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) The preparation of a health food.
(B) A traditional delicacy from Java.
(C) A gourmet guide for vegetarians.
(D) The cultural heritage of Indonesia.

[題組:第44-47題]In many languages, such as English, there is no straightforward way to talk about smell. For want of dedicated odor terminology, English speakers are often forced to use odor-sources such as “flowery” and “vanilla” and metaphors like “sweet” and “oriental” in their descriptions of smell.
But the difficulty with talking about smell is not universal. The Maniq, a group of hunter-gatherers in southern Thailand, can describe smells using at least fifteen different terms, which express only smells and are not applicable across other sensory domains. In addition to Maniq, researchers found that there are also a dozen words for various smells in Jahai, a language spoken by a neighboring hunter-gatherer population.
Interestingly, the difficulty for English speakers to translate smell directly into words seems to have very little to do with the nose’s actual capabilities. According to findings of a recent study, English speakers are capable of discriminating more than a trillion different odors. Then, why is there a gap between their ability to discriminate scent and their vocabulary? The researchers suggest that surroundings may play a significant role.
Maniq and Jahai speakers live in tropical rainforest regions with a hunting-gathering lifestyle, and these two ethnic groups evaluate their surroundings through their noses to survive in nature. In an environment that is still largely untouched by humans, they are surrounded by smells at all times. They need to use their sense of smell to identify animals that they can hunt, and to recognize objects or events, such as spoiled food, that can pose a danger. Unlike the Maniq and the Jahai, many English speakers inhabit the post-industrial west and do not rely on smells to survive in their environment. This difference may explain the interesting linguistic phenomenon discussed above.
44. What is the purpose of this passage?
(A) To evaluate the languages used by different ethnic groups.
(B) To prove how civilization slows down language development.
(C) To describe how terms of smell are found in different languages.
(D) To point out the link between language use and the environment.

12-13為題組
閱讀下文，回答12-13題。
這兩文在《人和動物的情緒表達》中指出：人類和較低等動物主要的情緒表達並非經由學習，而是來自天生或遺傳，越是相近的物種，情緒表達就越相似。例如許多動物在面對危險時會毛髮豎立，以使自己看來更威武、兇猛；人類的難度充裕其實正是汗毛豎立的輕微現象，也是哺乳類親戚表情的遺跡。
稍後的學者繼續探討此議題。多人主張情緒可分基本情緒和非基本情緒：前者如恐懼、快樂、驚訝、憤怒等，為生物的基礎反應；後者是由基本情緒混合而成的高階情緒，如恐懼和驚訝會混合為警覺，而恐懼和快樂則易混合為罪惡感。高階情緒通常被認為是認知的運作，比基本情緒更能顯示出物種和個體間的差異。
臉部表情、肢體動作和言行舉止都是情緒的表達方式，且有其展示規則。學者艾克曼表示：情緒的表達方式會受到學習和文化的影響而變弱，增強或以其他方式加以遮掩。「展示規則」界定了人可以在何時何地對何對象展示何種情緒，以及可以展示的方式和程度，這是社會化的一部分。(改寫自約瑟夫·李賓《腦中有情》)

下列敘述，符合上文文意的選項是：
(A)達爾文認為人和較低等動物的情緒表達完全相同，但稍後的學者修正該主張
(B)達爾文認為人類難度充裕的反應，乃哺乳類動物面對危險時情緒表現的遺留
(C)人和動物擁有同樣的基本情緒，但動物的認知能力較弱，無法擁有高階情緒
(D)高階情緒來自認知與學習，高階情緒越多的人，說明其表達力和道德感越高