108 國軍退除役轉任公務人員上校轉任 一般行政(轉任退輔會) 中華民國憲法與英文 考古題詳解
第 一 題30 分
依司法院釋字第 585 號解釋之意旨,立法院得行使調查權,請依法權及監察權之本質,以及大法官相關解釋之意旨,回答下列問題:
(一) 立法院得行使調查權之憲法依據及主要限制何在?
(二) 立法院及監察院兩院行使調查權之範圍及對象有何不同?
登入後即可作答並保存紀錄。
核心觀念
本題以命題當年(民國 108 年)法規及大法官解釋意旨為準(現行法後續雖經憲法法庭 113 年憲判字第 9 號判決就國會調查權之組織、程序與裁罰手段進一步限縮與補充,本解題仍嚴格依據 108 年考點基準之司法院釋字第 585 號及釋字第 325 號解釋開展)。
- 立法院調查權之本質與法源:立法院為國家最高立法機關(憲法第 62 條),憲法本文雖無「調查權」之明文,但立法院為有效行使憲法第 63 條等各項憲法職權(法律案、預算案、戒嚴案、宣戰案、媾和案、條約案及其他重要國事案之議決),調查權屬於其行使憲法職權所不可或缺之「附隨性/輔助性權力」(司法院釋字第 585 號解釋)。
- 監察院調查權之本質與法源:依憲法第 95 條、第 96 條規定,監察院為行使彈劾、糾舉及糾正權,得向行政院及其各部會調閱其所發布之命令及各種有關文件,屬於憲法明文賦予之「專屬性/本來性權力」,性質上為監察權核心之一環。
- 權力分立與界限:立法調查權非漫無限制,受「機關功能適當原則」、「權力分立核心領域保障」(司法獨立、檢察偵查不公開)、「行政特權(國家機密特權)」及「正當法律程序/人權保障」嚴格拘束。
解題方法
本題屬於典型之「憲法權力分立與機關權限爭點題」,解答時應掌握「由本質出發,推導出界限與差異」之法理架構:
- 第 (一) 小題解題路徑:
- 依據:採「職權附隨性」論證,從憲法第 63 條議決各項重大國事案之功能需求出發,援引司法院釋字第 585 號解釋,確立其為立法院之固有輔助性權限。
- 限制:從釋字第 585 號解釋之脈絡,分四層次歸納限制:(1) 職權重大關聯性(目的限制);(2) 權力分立核心領域(司法、監察等獨立機關之保障);(3) 行政特權(國家機密之防禦);(4) 法律保留原則與正當法律程序(涉及人民基本權利時)。
- 第 (二) 小題解題路徑:
- 採「三維度對比法」:從「本質與目的」、「調查範圍」、「調查對象」切入,逐項將立法院與監察院作清楚對比,特別強調立法院具「廣及人民之輔助性重大國事調查」,而監察院具「專注於行政機關與公務員違法失職之專屬調查」。
選項分析
本題為申論題,並無選擇題之個別選項,閱卷評分重心在於考生能否完整涵攝大法官解釋意旨並有條理地論述以下核心要點:
- 小題 (一) 評分關鍵點:
- 是否正確引述釋字第 585 號解釋,點出調查權並非立法院之獨立實體權力,而是為行使憲法第 63 條等職權所必需之「輔助性權力」。
- 限制部分是否明確列出「重大關聯性」、「不得侵害司法與監察核心領域」、「行政特權」及「正當法律程序(法律保留與比例原則)」。
- 小題 (二) 評分關鍵點:
- 能否精準區隔兩院權限之本質:立法院為「政治性、通案決策性、事之監督」,監察院為「法律性、個案責任性、人之彈糾與機關缺失之糾正」。
- 調查對象的辨析:立法院在符合法律明確授權及正當法律程序下,對象除政府人員外得包含「人民(非政府人員/私人)」;監察院調查對象則以「行政機關及公務員」為原則。
解題技巧
- 審題關鍵字定位:一看到「釋字第 585 號」+「立法院調查權」+「監察權之本質」,大腦立刻調動釋字第 325 號(調閱文件)與第 585 號(輔助性調查權)之體系,並對應憲法第 63 條(立法院)與第 95、96 條(監察院)。
- 速記口訣:
- 立法院調查權限制四支柱:「關(重大關聯)、核(權力核心)、特(行政特權)、程(法定正當程序)」。
第 二 題20 分
A 為經營電子遊樂場之業者,因放置賭博性電玩,遭 B 縣縣政府依該縣所制定之「B 縣電子遊樂場管理自治條例」勒令停業。請問 A 不服 B 縣縣政府之處分,而提起行政學公訴時,行政法院之法官若認為「B 縣電子遊樂場管理自治條例」有關勒令停業之規定,已違反比例原則,其可否拒絕適用?請依大法官相關解釋意旨論述之。
登入後即可作答並保存紀錄。
本題以命題當年(民國 108 年)法規為準。
現行法提醒:民國 111 年 1 月 4 日施行之《憲法訴訟法》已取代《司法院大法官審理案件法》,但該法第 55 條規定各級法院得聲請憲法法庭宣告違憲之客體仍限於狹義之「法律」,法官審理案件對違憲之自治條例仍維持得「逕行拒絕適用」之權限。 題目中「行政學公訴」係國考試題之筆誤,實指原告不服行政處分所提起之「行政訴訟」。
核心觀念
- 憲法第 80 條之「法律」意涵: 法官依據法律獨立審判,此處所稱之「法律」,專指立法院通過、總統公布之「狹義法律」(形式意義之法律),不包含行政命令與地方自治法規。
- 法規審查權與司法院釋字意旨:
- 司法院釋字第 371 號、第 572 號、第 590 號解釋:法官受憲法第 80 條拘束,對應適用之「法律」無拒絕適用之權限;若法官有合理確信認其牴觸憲法,僅得「裁定停止訴訟程序,聲請大法官解釋」。
- 司法院釋字第 137 號、第 216 號解釋:法官依據法律獨立審判,行政命令對法官審判無拘束力。法官於審理個案時,得本於確信表示適法意見,若認命令牴觸憲法或法律,得於具體個案中逕行拒絕適用。
- 自治條例之法位階與司法審查: 依地方制度法第 25 條及第 30 條第 1 項,自治條例由地方立法機關通過、行政機關公布,其位階低於憲法及中央法律,牴觸憲法或法律者無效。自治條例非屬憲法第 80 條之法律,行政法院法官對其享有附帶法規審查權。
- 憲法第 23 條比例原則: 自治條例限制人民受憲法第 15 條保障之工作權與營業自由時,仍須合乎適當性、必要性及衡量性(比例原則)。
解題方法
本題為憲法與行政法交錯之申論題,應採「三段論法」切入論述:
- 大前提(大法官解釋對審查權限之區分):
- 先區分審查客體為「法律」或「法規命令/自治條例」。
- 依釋字第 371 號意旨,我國違憲審查採「集中審查制」,法官對立法院制定的法律不得逕行排斥適用,須裁定停止訴訟程序聲請釋憲。
- 依釋字第 137 號及第 216 號意旨,法官審判不受行政法規命令拘束,享有附帶審查權,若命令牴觸上位階規範,法官得於個案中拒絕適用。
- 小前提(定性本案自治條例與違憲爭點):
- 「B 縣電子遊樂場管理自治條例」係地方自治法規,位階低於憲法與中央法律,非屬憲法第 80 條之狹義法律。
- 承審法官確信該自治條例關於勒令停業之規定已違反憲法第 23 條比例原則,該規定依地方制度法第 30 條第 1 項當然無效。
- 結論涵攝:
第 1 題2 分
The six-story structure designed to replicate a residential building is the tallest building of its kind to ever ____ major earthquakes.
核心觀念
本題考英文動詞的語意與慣用搭配。句意是:「這棟仿照住宅建造的六層樓建築,是同類建築中曾經歷過重大地震的最高建築。」空格需要填入表示「經歷、承受」的動詞。
解題方法
先看句型:to ever ____ major earthquakes 中,to 後面要接原形動詞;再依語意判斷,主詞建築物與 major earthquakes 的關係是「經歷地震」,因此選擇意為「經歷、承受」的 undergo。
選項分析
- (A) recognize:意為「認出、辨認、承認」。建築物不會「辨認」地震,與句意不合。
第 2 題2 分
Earthquakes with ____ greater than 6 on the Richter scale will do great damages and may claim many lives.
核心觀念
本題考「地震規模」相關字彙,並須依句意選出能與 Richter scale(芮氏規模)搭配的名詞。句意是:「芮氏規模大於 6 的地震會造成重大災害,並可能奪走許多人的性命。」
解題方法
關鍵線索是 greater than 6 on the Richter scale。地震的「規模」以數值表示,英文是 magnitude,因此空格應填入 magnitude。
選項分析
第 3 題2 分
America’s well-deserved reputation as a global leader in technology innovation is ____ from its tradition of welcoming people from other countries.
核心觀念
本題考形容詞的語意與固定搭配。句子要表達:美國在科技創新領域享有全球領導者的美譽,與其接納其他國家人民的傳統「密不可分」。常見搭配是 be inseparable from,意為「與……不可分離、密不可分」。
解題方法
先抓空格後的 from,再看句意。句子描述科技創新領導地位與接納外國人士的傳統之間有緊密關聯,因此適合填入表示「不可分割」的 inseparable:
America’s well-deserved reputation as a global leader in technology innovation is inseparable from its tradition of welcoming people from other countries. 美國在科技創新領域享有全球領導者的美譽,這與其接納其他國家人民的傳統密不可分。
選項分析
第 4 題2 分
Often war causes more problems than it solves. Frequently it leaves a ____ of hate, starvation and homelessness among the refugees it creates.
核心觀念
本題考名詞辨義與語境判斷。句意是:「戰爭造成的問題往往比它解決的更多;它常在自己造成的難民群體中,留下仇恨、飢餓與無家可歸的__。」空格應填表示「遺留事物、後果」的名詞。
解題方法
先看句型:leave a ____ of ... 表示「留下……的某種事物或結果」。後接的 hate, starvation and homelessness 都是戰爭造成的負面後果,因此空格要選能表示「遺留、後果」且語意自然的字。legacy 可指某事件留下的影響或遺產,符合句意。
選項分析
- (A) legacy:正確。 可指某人或某事件留下的影響、遺產或後果。
a legacy of hate, starvation and homelessness即「仇恨、飢餓與無家可歸所構成的遺禍」,與戰爭留下的負面結果相符。 - **(B) legitimacy:錯誤。
第 5 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Hackers around the world are getting better at stealing passwords. A hacker is a person who uses a computer to gain information without permission. Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is responsible for the creation of the Internet. The agency is supporting research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past. One project is called Active Authentication. Scientists working on the project want to use a person’s individual qualities to protect electronic devices like wireless phones against hackers. ____, the movement of a person’s hands when they use a wireless phone can be read by sensors. The phone can remember those signs and observe them. The phone locks when someone ____ the owner tries to use it.
Other teams of scientists are trying to teach computers and smart phone show to recognize a person’s writing style. The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make. In another project, the owner of a device says a phrase instead of typing a password. Sensors identify the sound and way that a user says words.
DARPA says the projects have had very good results. Some of the largest computer and smart phone manufacturers have expressed interest in using them in new devices.
核心觀念
本題考「介系詞後接動名詞」以及否定詞 not 的位置。
句子是:
some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
stop + 人 + from + V-ing 表示「阻止某人做某事」;本句選項提供的結構是 by + V-ing,表示「藉由做某事」。空格後的 passwords 是動名詞 using 的受詞,因此應組成 by not using passwords,意為「藉由不使用密碼」。
解題方法
先看空格前的 by:介系詞 by 後面接名詞或動名詞。再看空格後的 passwords,它應是動作 use 的受詞,所以空格內需要動名詞 using。句意是科學家試圖阻止駭客「藉由不使用密碼」來取得資訊,否定詞 not 放在動名詞 using 前面。
完整句意為:「現在,有些電腦科學家正試圖藉由不使用密碼來阻止駭客。」
選項分析
第 6 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Hackers around the world are getting better at stealing passwords. A hacker is a person who uses a computer to gain information without permission. Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is responsible for the creation of the Internet. The agency is supporting research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past. One project is called Active Authentication. Scientists working on the project want to use a person’s individual qualities to protect electronic devices like wireless phones against hackers. ____, the movement of a person’s hands when they use a wireless phone can be read by sensors. The phone can remember those signs and observe them. The phone locks when someone ____ the owner tries to use it.
Other teams of scientists are trying to teach computers and smart phone show to recognize a person’s writing style. The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make. In another project, the owner of a device says a phrase instead of typing a password. Sensors identify the sound and way that a user says words.
DARPA says the projects have had very good results. Some of the largest computer and smart phone manufacturers have expressed interest in using them in new devices.
核心觀念
本題考查動詞搭配與固定片語。空格位於「stop hackers ____ passwords」之後,須判斷哪個動詞能與受詞 passwords 搭配,並符合「使密碼成為過去」的語意。
解題方法
先看第二段的句型:
research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past
結構是「使 A 成為 B」:make + 受詞 + 名詞補語。因此 make passwords a thing of the past 表示「使密碼成為過去」,符合研究計畫將以新技術取代密碼的文意。
同一段開頭的 stop hackers ____ passwords 則是「阻止駭客竊取密碼」,完整說法應為 stop hackers from stealing passwords。題目四個選項是供前後文挖空的選項組;依官方答案 D,關鍵搭配是後文的 make passwords a thing of the past。
選項分析
第 7 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Hackers around the world are getting better at stealing passwords. A hacker is a person who uses a computer to gain information without permission. Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is responsible for the creation of the Internet. The agency is supporting research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past. One project is called Active Authentication. Scientists working on the project want to use a person’s individual qualities to protect electronic devices like wireless phones against hackers. ____, the movement of a person’s hands when they use a wireless phone can be read by sensors. The phone can remember those signs and observe them. The phone locks when someone ____ the owner tries to use it.
Other teams of scientists are trying to teach computers and smart phone show to recognize a person’s writing style. The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make. In another project, the owner of a device says a phrase instead of typing a password. Sensors identify the sound and way that a user says words.
DARPA says the projects have had very good results. Some of the largest computer and smart phone manufacturers have expressed interest in using them in new devices.
核心觀念
本題考連接詞片語的語意與篇章銜接。空格前提到研究人員想用個人特徵保護電子裝置;空格後以手機使用者的手部動作感測為例,說明其中一種做法。因此,空格要選能引出例子的片語。
解題方法
先抓段落關係:前文是概括說明研究方向,空格後則具體描述感測手部動作、記錄使用習慣,以及在非機主操作時鎖定手機的做法。兩者是「概念 → 例子」的關係,應填 For example,意為「例如」。
選項分析
第 8 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Hackers around the world are getting better at stealing passwords. A hacker is a person who uses a computer to gain information without permission. Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is responsible for the creation of the Internet. The agency is supporting research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past. One project is called Active Authentication. Scientists working on the project want to use a person’s individual qualities to protect electronic devices like wireless phones against hackers. ____, the movement of a person’s hands when they use a wireless phone can be read by sensors. The phone can remember those signs and observe them. The phone locks when someone ____ the owner tries to use it.
Other teams of scientists are trying to teach computers and smart phone show to recognize a person’s writing style. The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make. In another project, the owner of a device says a phrase instead of typing a password. Sensors identify the sound and way that a user says words.
DARPA says the projects have had very good results. Some of the largest computer and smart phone manufacturers have expressed interest in using them in new devices.
核心觀念
本題考查英文介系詞片語的語意與搭配。stop someone from doing something 表示「阻止某人做某事」;away from 則有「遠離、避免接觸」的意思。
解題方法
空格所在句為:
Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
文意是「現在,有些電腦科學家正試圖阻止駭客__密碼」。依官方答案,選 (B) other than;此處整體解作阻止駭客使用密碼,並帶有「密碼以外」的語意。題組後文提到以個人特徵、書寫習慣或聲音辨識身分,取代傳統密碼,也能呼應這項方向。
選項分析
第 9 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Hackers around the world are getting better at stealing passwords. A hacker is a person who uses a computer to gain information without permission. Now, some computer scientists are trying to stop hackers ____ passwords.
The U.S. Military’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, is responsible for the creation of the Internet. The agency is supporting research projects that will ____ passwords a thing of the past. One project is called Active Authentication. Scientists working on the project want to use a person’s individual qualities to protect electronic devices like wireless phones against hackers. ____, the movement of a person’s hands when they use a wireless phone can be read by sensors. The phone can remember those signs and observe them. The phone locks when someone ____ the owner tries to use it.
Other teams of scientists are trying to teach computers and smart phone show to recognize a person’s writing style. The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make. In another project, the owner of a device says a phrase instead of typing a password. Sensors identify the sound and way that a user says words.
DARPA says the projects have had very good results. Some of the largest computer and smart phone manufacturers have expressed interest in using them in new devices.
核心觀念
本題考查間接問句中的語序,以及動詞 know 後方受詞子句的連接詞選擇。
句子結構為:
The devices will know the words a person uses, ____ and the kinds of errors they make.
空格與前後的 the words a person uses(一個人使用的字詞)及 the kinds of errors they make(他們犯的錯誤類型)並列,表示裝置還會知道「他們如何造句」。因此空格須填入名詞子句 how they make sentences。
解題方法
先觀察並列結構:句子列出裝置能辨識的三項內容——使用的字詞、造句的方式、常犯的錯誤類型。空格需表達「如何造句」,所以疑問詞應使用 how。
接著檢查語序。how they make sentences 是嵌在 will know 後面的間接問句,採「疑問詞+主詞+動詞」語序;因此用 how they make sentences,不能用直接問句的倒裝語序 how do they make sentences。
選項分析
第 10 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Stonehenge is a mysterious collection of large stones located in the south of England. Experts have many different theories about ____. However, since nobody really knows for sure, it has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The stones themselves are very large. Some are up to five meters tall and weigh 25 tons. They are arranged quite close together in a circular pattern. One of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries is how people without modern machinery moved those stones.
Since Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure that is close to 5,000 years old, there are no records to tell us about it. Over the centuries, many people have speculated about ____. One theory for its purpose says that ____. Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. There are many people who feel that this idea is most likely. Another theory states that Stonehenge was a religious site where special ceremonies were conducted. Much debate has occurred regarding these and other theories, but the fact is that we may never know the true story.
These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain. ____, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In England, it is recognized as a national treasure and even has special status and protection from the United Nations.
____ with other sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, be sure you do not miss out on one of the planet’s greatest wonders and mysteries.
核心觀念
本題考英文閱讀理解中的上下文語意判斷。空格位於介系詞 about 之後,須填入能作為 about 受詞的名詞子句;判斷重點是選項內容是否符合段落主題,以及能否與後文的「目的、用途、歷史謎團」連貫。
解題方法
第一段先說專家對巨石陣有許多不同理論,接著提到「沒有人確切知道」,並將它描述為歷久不解的謎團。後文又談到巨石陣的用途、古代觀測天象的理論,以及它是否為宗教場所。因此,空格應概括「巨石陣如何形成,以及它為何存在」這兩個核心疑問。
選項分析
- (A) how and why Stonehenge came to be:意為「巨石陣如何形成,以及它為何出現」。能概括文中對巨石陣起源與用途的各種理論,也與「沒有人確切知道」及後文的用途討論一致,正確。
第 11 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Stonehenge is a mysterious collection of large stones located in the south of England. Experts have many different theories about ____. However, since nobody really knows for sure, it has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The stones themselves are very large. Some are up to five meters tall and weigh 25 tons. They are arranged quite close together in a circular pattern. One of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries is how people without modern machinery moved those stones.
Since Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure that is close to 5,000 years old, there are no records to tell us about it. Over the centuries, many people have speculated about ____. One theory for its purpose says that ____. Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. There are many people who feel that this idea is most likely. Another theory states that Stonehenge was a religious site where special ceremonies were conducted. Much debate has occurred regarding these and other theories, but the fact is that we may never know the true story.
These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain. ____, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In England, it is recognized as a national treasure and even has special status and protection from the United Nations.
____ with other sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, be sure you do not miss out on one of the planet’s greatest wonders and mysteries.
核心觀念
本題考英文克漏字,測驗的是文意判讀與名詞子句。空格前的介系詞 about 後面接名詞子句;選項中的 how、what、why 都能引導名詞子句,因此要根據上下文判斷文章談論的內容。
解題方法
首句提到 Stonehenge 的石陣,以及專家對它有許多不同的理論。後文接著說,沒有人確切知道答案,因此它一直是個謎。第二段又指出,因為 Stonehenge 有近五千年歷史、沒有相關紀錄,人們長久以來都在推測它的用途;接著列舉「觀測日月星辰」與「宗教儀式場所」兩種說法。
前後文的共同主題是:Stonehenge 的用途至今不明,人們對此提出不同推測。因此空格應填入「Stonehenge 的用途可能是什麼」。
選項分析
- (A) how large the structure of Stonehenge could be:意為「Stonehenge 的結構可能有多大」。文章提到石頭的高度與重量,但專家提出的不同理論,以及後文列舉的內容,討論的是石陣的用途,而非整體結構有多大。
第 12 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Stonehenge is a mysterious collection of large stones located in the south of England. Experts have many different theories about ____. However, since nobody really knows for sure, it has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The stones themselves are very large. Some are up to five meters tall and weigh 25 tons. They are arranged quite close together in a circular pattern. One of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries is how people without modern machinery moved those stones.
Since Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure that is close to 5,000 years old, there are no records to tell us about it. Over the centuries, many people have speculated about ____. One theory for its purpose says that ____. Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. There are many people who feel that this idea is most likely. Another theory states that Stonehenge was a religious site where special ceremonies were conducted. Much debate has occurred regarding these and other theories, but the fact is that we may never know the true story.
These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain. ____, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In England, it is recognized as a national treasure and even has special status and protection from the United Nations.
____ with other sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, be sure you do not miss out on one of the planet’s greatest wonders and mysteries.
核心觀念
本題考英文克漏字,重點是依據上下文判斷句意,並辨認與 Stonehenge 相關的字彙和概念。官方答案 (D) Stonehenge was some kind of astronomical device 意為「巨石陣是某種天文觀測裝置」。
解題方法
第一段空格後提到人們對巨石陣有許多不同理論,且它至今仍是謎;第二段再說明其中一種用途理論:古代科學家可能用它觀察太陽與星辰。因此,第一段的空格應選擇與天文用途相符的內容。
第二段第三個空格也提供了直接線索:Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. 這句說明巨石陣可能用來研究太陽與星辰相關現象,與 (D) 的 astronomical device(天文裝置)一致。
選項分析
- (A) Stonehenge was assembled by American scientists:意為「巨石陣由美國科學家組裝」。文章沒有提到美國人,也沒有這項建造者理論;內容與後文的天文用途線索不符。
第 13 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Stonehenge is a mysterious collection of large stones located in the south of England. Experts have many different theories about ____. However, since nobody really knows for sure, it has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The stones themselves are very large. Some are up to five meters tall and weigh 25 tons. They are arranged quite close together in a circular pattern. One of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries is how people without modern machinery moved those stones.
Since Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure that is close to 5,000 years old, there are no records to tell us about it. Over the centuries, many people have speculated about ____. One theory for its purpose says that ____. Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. There are many people who feel that this idea is most likely. Another theory states that Stonehenge was a religious site where special ceremonies were conducted. Much debate has occurred regarding these and other theories, but the fact is that we may never know the true story.
These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain. ____, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In England, it is recognized as a national treasure and even has special status and protection from the United Nations.
____ with other sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, be sure you do not miss out on one of the planet’s greatest wonders and mysteries.
核心觀念
本題考英文篇章中的語意理解與上下文連貫,重點是判斷空格所需的因果理由。題幹先介紹巨石陣年代久遠、用途成謎,接著說明它是知名景點,並指出它每年吸引大量遊客。
解題方法
空格位於「These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain.」與「it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.」之間。要選出能說明巨石陣為何成為知名景點、吸引遊客的原因。
巨石陣既有悠久歷史,又籠罩著用途與建造方式之謎,這些特點能解釋其觀光吸引力,因此選項 D 最符合上下文。
選項分析
- (A) Due to the huge expense of its renovation:意為「由於其整修費用龐大」。本文沒有提到整修或費用,無法說明巨石陣為何吸引遊客。
第 14 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Stonehenge is a mysterious collection of large stones located in the south of England. Experts have many different theories about ____. However, since nobody really knows for sure, it has remained a mystery throughout the ages. The stones themselves are very large. Some are up to five meters tall and weigh 25 tons. They are arranged quite close together in a circular pattern. One of Stonehenge’s biggest mysteries is how people without modern machinery moved those stones.
Since Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure that is close to 5,000 years old, there are no records to tell us about it. Over the centuries, many people have speculated about ____. One theory for its purpose says that ____. Ancient scientists may have used it to study events concerning the sun and the stars. There are many people who feel that this idea is most likely. Another theory states that Stonehenge was a religious site where special ceremonies were conducted. Much debate has occurred regarding these and other theories, but the fact is that we may never know the true story.
These days, Stonehenge is one of the most famous tourist sites in all of Great Britain. ____, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. In England, it is recognized as a national treasure and even has special status and protection from the United Nations.
____ with other sites around the world, including the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China. So, if you are planning a trip to the UK, be sure you do not miss out on one of the planet’s greatest wonders and mysteries.
核心觀念
本題考英文篇章中的語意連貫與上下文推論。作答時要掌握空格前後的主題與語氣,並判斷選項能否自然銜接文章內容。文章主要介紹巨石陣(Stonehenge)的歷史、用途爭議與觀光地位。
解題方法
空格所在段落先指出巨石陣是英國著名的觀光景點,後文接著說它每年吸引世界各地成千上萬名遊客,並與埃及金字塔、中國長城等世界知名古蹟並列。因此,空格應表達巨石陣在文化與歷史上的重要地位,選 (B) 最符合全文脈絡。
選項分析
- (A) It is always recommended as a spa resort:意為「它總是被推薦為溫泉度假勝地」。文章談的是史前石造遺跡、考古用途與觀光,沒有溫泉或療養相關內容,語意不合。
第 15 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Free trade is a free market policy followed by some international markets in which governments do not restrict imports from, or exports to, other countries. Trade treaties increase freedom to trade and do not result in loss of sovereignty. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict exports of natural resources. Other trade barriers include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.
Take the United States as an example. There is a growing rhetoric about imposing tariffs and limiting freedom to trade internationally. It reflects a resurgence of old arguments that stay alive in large part because the benefits of free international trade are often diffuse and hard to see, while the benefits of shielding specific groups from foreign competition are often immediate and visible. This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. It also tips the scales in favor of special interests seeking protection from foreign competition, which results in thousands of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers imposed to trade.
However, restrictions on foreign trade all too often harm the very people they aim to protect, i.e., American consumers and producers. Trade restrictions limit the choices of what Americans can buy; they also drive up the prices of everything from clothing and groceries to the materials manufacturers use to make everyday products. Lower-income Americans generally bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Not only do they spend more of their income on consumption goods, many of the goods they consume are subject to higher tariffs than more expensive goods of the same type.
There is a broad consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic growth and economic welfare, while free trade and the reduction of trade barriers to trade has a positive effect on economic growth. However, they also point out that liberalization of trade can cause significant and unequally distributed losses and the economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.
Which of the following is the best title for this passage?
核心觀念
本題考查主旨判讀與標題選擇。標題應概括文章的主要論點,也要涵蓋文章呈現的不同面向。
文章先說明自由貿易的好處,以及貿易保護措施造成的成本:限制選擇、推高物價,且低收入者承受較大負擔。最後補充,自由貿易雖有助經濟成長與福祉,貿易自由化也可能使與進口商品競爭的產業及勞工遭受不均等損失。文章因此呈現自由貿易與貿易限制、自由化效益與調整成本的兩面。
解題方法
先抓段落脈絡,再比較選項是否涵蓋全文:
- 首段交代自由貿易與保護措施的背景。
- 第二、三段指出保護措施的成因與代價。
- 末段總結經濟學家的共識,同時指出貿易自由化也會帶來分配不均與產業調整問題。
因此,標題不能只聚焦在「自由貿易有利」或「美國案例」,而要概括文章對自由貿易議題的正反兩面分析。
選項分析
- (A) Free Trade: Better Safe than Sorry 「Better Safe than Sorry」意為「寧可謹慎,以免後悔」,暗示文章主張採取保守、安全的立場。本文沒有以此作為核心論點,也沒有單純倡議避免自由貿易,標題不符。
第 16 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Free trade is a free market policy followed by some international markets in which governments do not restrict imports from, or exports to, other countries. Trade treaties increase freedom to trade and do not result in loss of sovereignty. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict exports of natural resources. Other trade barriers include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.
Take the United States as an example. There is a growing rhetoric about imposing tariffs and limiting freedom to trade internationally. It reflects a resurgence of old arguments that stay alive in large part because the benefits of free international trade are often diffuse and hard to see, while the benefits of shielding specific groups from foreign competition are often immediate and visible. This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. It also tips the scales in favor of special interests seeking protection from foreign competition, which results in thousands of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers imposed to trade.
However, restrictions on foreign trade all too often harm the very people they aim to protect, i.e., American consumers and producers. Trade restrictions limit the choices of what Americans can buy; they also drive up the prices of everything from clothing and groceries to the materials manufacturers use to make everyday products. Lower-income Americans generally bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Not only do they spend more of their income on consumption goods, many of the goods they consume are subject to higher tariffs than more expensive goods of the same type.
There is a broad consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic growth and economic welfare, while free trade and the reduction of trade barriers to trade has a positive effect on economic growth. However, they also point out that liberalization of trade can cause significant and unequally distributed losses and the economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.
What is the third paragraph mainly about?
核心觀念
本題考查英文閱讀中的「段落主旨判斷」。作答時要抓住段落的中心論點,再看各細節如何支持它;不能只因某個選項提到段落中的一項細節,就選它當主旨。
解題方法
第三段首句指出,貿易限制往往傷害原本要保護的對象,也就是美國消費者與生產者。後兩句補充其影響:消費者可選擇的商品減少、物價上漲,而低收入者承受的成本比例更高。
因此,本段主旨是「貿易限制在美國造成的後果」;商品選擇減少、日常用品漲價及低收入者負擔較重,都是支持主旨的例子。
選項分析
- (A) Consequences of trade restrictions in the U.S.(貿易限制在美國造成的後果)—正確。涵蓋段落的中心論點,也包含選擇減少、價格上漲及低收入者承受較高負擔等細節。
第 17 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Free trade is a free market policy followed by some international markets in which governments do not restrict imports from, or exports to, other countries. Trade treaties increase freedom to trade and do not result in loss of sovereignty. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict exports of natural resources. Other trade barriers include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.
Take the United States as an example. There is a growing rhetoric about imposing tariffs and limiting freedom to trade internationally. It reflects a resurgence of old arguments that stay alive in large part because the benefits of free international trade are often diffuse and hard to see, while the benefits of shielding specific groups from foreign competition are often immediate and visible. This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. It also tips the scales in favor of special interests seeking protection from foreign competition, which results in thousands of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers imposed to trade.
However, restrictions on foreign trade all too often harm the very people they aim to protect, i.e., American consumers and producers. Trade restrictions limit the choices of what Americans can buy; they also drive up the prices of everything from clothing and groceries to the materials manufacturers use to make everyday products. Lower-income Americans generally bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Not only do they spend more of their income on consumption goods, many of the goods they consume are subject to higher tariffs than more expensive goods of the same type.
There is a broad consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic growth and economic welfare, while free trade and the reduction of trade barriers to trade has a positive effect on economic growth. However, they also point out that liberalization of trade can cause significant and unequally distributed losses and the economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
核心觀念
本題考查閱讀理解與同義改寫。作答時要比對選項和文章中的資訊是否一致,尤其留意比較對象、程度及因果關係是否被改動。
解題方法
先找文章明確陳述的內容,再逐一核對選項。第三段指出,低收入美國人承擔的貿易限制成本「比例上不成比例地高」;而且,他們支出中較大部分用於消費品,所購買的部分商品也面臨較高關稅。這與 (B) 的意思相符。
選項分析
- (A) 錯誤。 文章第二段指出,自由國際貿易的利益通常較分散、難以看見;立即而明顯的利益,是保護特定群體免受外國競爭的利益。選項將兩者顛倒。
- (B) 正確。 低收入者承擔關稅成本的比例較高,且其消費品中有些商品面臨較高關稅,因此比高收入者承受更大的相對負擔。
第 18 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Free trade is a free market policy followed by some international markets in which governments do not restrict imports from, or exports to, other countries. Trade treaties increase freedom to trade and do not result in loss of sovereignty. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict exports of natural resources. Other trade barriers include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.
Take the United States as an example. There is a growing rhetoric about imposing tariffs and limiting freedom to trade internationally. It reflects a resurgence of old arguments that stay alive in large part because the benefits of free international trade are often diffuse and hard to see, while the benefits of shielding specific groups from foreign competition are often immediate and visible. This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. It also tips the scales in favor of special interests seeking protection from foreign competition, which results in thousands of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers imposed to trade.
However, restrictions on foreign trade all too often harm the very people they aim to protect, i.e., American consumers and producers. Trade restrictions limit the choices of what Americans can buy; they also drive up the prices of everything from clothing and groceries to the materials manufacturers use to make everyday products. Lower-income Americans generally bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Not only do they spend more of their income on consumption goods, many of the goods they consume are subject to higher tariffs than more expensive goods of the same type.
There is a broad consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic growth and economic welfare, while free trade and the reduction of trade barriers to trade has a positive effect on economic growth. However, they also point out that liberalization of trade can cause significant and unequally distributed losses and the economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.
What does detrimental mean in this article?
核心觀念
本題考英文單字的語境辨義。detrimental 是形容詞,意為「有害的、不利的」,常用於描述對人、事物或發展造成負面影響。
解題方法
先看單字所在句:「This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy.」意為「這種錯覺助長了普遍看法,認為自由貿易對美國經濟不利。」句中 detrimental to 表示「對……有害/不利」。
再用下文確認語意:文章指出,經濟學家普遍認為保護主義對經濟成長與經濟福祉有負面影響,而自由貿易則有正面影響。因此此處的 detrimental 指「有害的」,對應 harmful。
選項分析
第 19 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
Free trade is a free market policy followed by some international markets in which governments do not restrict imports from, or exports to, other countries. Trade treaties increase freedom to trade and do not result in loss of sovereignty. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict exports of natural resources. Other trade barriers include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.
Take the United States as an example. There is a growing rhetoric about imposing tariffs and limiting freedom to trade internationally. It reflects a resurgence of old arguments that stay alive in large part because the benefits of free international trade are often diffuse and hard to see, while the benefits of shielding specific groups from foreign competition are often immediate and visible. This illusion fuels the common perception that free trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. It also tips the scales in favor of special interests seeking protection from foreign competition, which results in thousands of tariffs, quotas, and other barriers imposed to trade.
However, restrictions on foreign trade all too often harm the very people they aim to protect, i.e., American consumers and producers. Trade restrictions limit the choices of what Americans can buy; they also drive up the prices of everything from clothing and groceries to the materials manufacturers use to make everyday products. Lower-income Americans generally bear a disproportionate share of these costs. Not only do they spend more of their income on consumption goods, many of the goods they consume are subject to higher tariffs than more expensive goods of the same type.
There is a broad consensus among economists that protectionism has a negative effect on economic growth and economic welfare, while free trade and the reduction of trade barriers to trade has a positive effect on economic growth. However, they also point out that liberalization of trade can cause significant and unequally distributed losses and the economic dislocation of workers in import-competing sectors.
Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward free trade?
核心觀念
本題考英文閱讀中的「作者態度」判讀。作答時要看作者如何呈現議題:是單方面支持或反對,還是同時說明正反影響,並以資料與論點分析。
解題方法
文章先說明自由貿易與保護主義的政策背景,再指出貿易限制可能推高物價、減少消費者選擇,並對低收入者造成較大負擔;接著引用經濟學家的共識,說明保護主義通常不利於經濟成長與福利、自由貿易則有正面效果。
但作者也補充,貿易自由化會造成部分產業的失業與經濟衝擊,而且損失分配不均。作者既呈現自由貿易的優點,也交代其代價,整體採取平衡、分析式的說明,因此最符合 objective and analytical(客觀且具分析性)。
選項分析
(A) Cynical and distrustful(憤世嫉俗且不信任)錯誤。 文章沒有以嘲諷、猜疑或不信任的口吻評論自由貿易或政府政策。作者指出保護主義的問題,屬於分析其經濟影響,並非憤世嫉俗。
第 20 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
Who are the bad guys mentioned in Paragraph 1?
核心觀念
本題考英文語境中的字義判斷與段落理解。Paragraph 1 提到信用卡資料遭竊及身分盜用,接著說銀行、執法機關與科技公司正試圖阻止一群竊取帳號、姓名等資料的駭客。因此,the bad guys 指的就是這些帳戶資料駭客。
解題方法
先看題目所問的 the bad guys,再依上下文找出這個稱呼指涉的對象。段落緊接著寫道:a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data,意即「一群竊取帳號、姓名及其他重要資料的駭客」。這句直接說明了 the bad guys 的身分,故選與「帳戶駭客」相符的選項。
選項分析
- (A) Bank robbers(銀行搶匪):錯誤。文章談的是竊取信用卡資料的網路犯罪者,沒有提到搶劫銀行。
第 21 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
Which of the following may the word plastic in Paragraph 3 refer to?
核心觀念
本題測驗「篇章字義推論」(Vocabulary in Context)與英語常見的「借代修辭」(Metonymy)。 在英美日常生活與財經英語中,不可數名詞 plastic 或片語 piece of plastic 常以材質借代指稱「塑膠貨幣」,即「信用卡」(credit card)或「金融卡/簽帳卡」(debit card)。考生需能結合篇章主旨(信用卡磁條技術的安全漏洞與升級晶片卡的成本效益),精準判斷該詞在語境中的具體指涉對象。
解題方法
- 定位目標詞句: 目標字出現在第三段第一句:
*"The solution could cost as little as
第 22 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
According to this passage, what is the major reason why hackers steal people’s credit card data?
核心觀念
本題屬於英文閱讀測驗中的細節事實題(Factual / Detail Question),考查重點在於文章段落定位、犯罪行為主體(主詞)之區分,以及同義語意轉換(Paraphrase)。考生需精確辨識犯罪產業鏈中「駭客(Hackers)」與「購得個資的下游犯罪集團(a second group of criminals)」各自的分工與動機,避免落入代名詞指向混淆的陷阱。
解題方法
- 抓取題幹關鍵字:由題幹「major reason why hackers steal people's credit card data」可知,目標為尋找「駭客竊取信用卡資料的主要動機或後續目的」。
- 鎖定原文對應段落:
- 第二段描述犯罪手法:「Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware...」(駭客利用惡意軟體搜括大量卡號)。
- 緊接著說明駭客處理資料的方式:「Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web.」(駭客隨後將資料轉售給在網路隱密角落活動的第二批犯罪分子)。
- 隨後提到:「Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.」(不久後,失竊資料即出現在偽造卡片上,並被用於線上購物)。
- 比對行為主體與選項:
- 駭客的直接動作是「賣掉資料(sold the data)」,即轉售牟利。
- 製作偽卡與線上盜刷則是「第二批犯罪集團」取得資料後的行為,非駭客親自執行。
選項分析
- (A) To sell them for money(賣掉資料換取金錢)——【正確】
第 23 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
Which of the following is true about EMV cards, compared with the traditional ones?
核心觀念
本題屬於英文閱讀測驗中的「細節比對題」(Detail and Contrast Question)。測驗核心在於測驗考生能否精確捕捉篇章中兩大對比標的——「傳統磁條信用卡(traditional magstripe cards)」與「EMV 晶片密碼卡(EMV chip-and-PIN cards)」——在製作成本(Cost)、發展歷史(History)、安全防護力(Security)以及全球普及程度(Adoption / Usage)四個維度上的差異。
解題方法
本題解題切入點為「關鍵字定位與對照分析」:
- 定位關鍵字:由題幹「EMV cards, compared with the traditional ones」可知,題目要求比對 EMV 晶片卡相較於傳統磁條卡的正確敘述。
- 回文檢索定位點:
- 成本層面(第 3、4 段):傳統磁條卡約 1 美元(in the dollar range),EMV 晶片卡約 3 美元(close to 2 extra)。
- 歷史層面(第 3 段):傳統磁條技術具有 40 年歷史(40-year-old magstripe technology),EMV 則是後續發展用以補強安全的新技術。
- 安全性層面(第 1、2、3、5 段):傳統磁條卡脆弱易遭側錄(vulnerable to attacks, break in);EMV 晶片卡結合密碼現場驗證(authenticate on the spot),安全防護性高(securely)。
- 使用普及率(第 3、5 段):美國以外的地區廣泛使用 EMV 卡(used heavily outside the U.S. / much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV),而美國依賴磁條技術在世界上幾乎是獨行孤例(pretty much alone the world over)。
由上述對比即可迅速推導出正解。
選項分析
-
(A) They cost less(它們成本較低)——【錯誤】 第 3 段提到更換晶片卡的方案「could cost as little as 3.」(傳統磁條卡成本約 1 美元,而晶片密碼卡目前成本接近 3 美元)。因此,EMV 卡的成本較傳統卡更為昂貴(cost more),而非更便宜。
-
(B) They have a long history(它們歷史悠久)——【錯誤】 第 3 段指出:「While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology...」,明確說明具備 40 年長久歷史的是傳統磁條
第 24 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
Why haven’t big banks in the U.S. adopted the more secure technology?
核心觀念
本題測驗考生的英文長篇閱讀理解能力,特別側重於:
- 因果關係與細節定位(Cause and Effect & Detail Comprehension):理解主幹文意中美國銀行業遲遲未升級防偽技術的決策依據。
- 比較級邏輯同義代換(Paraphrasing of Comparatives):商業決策中的「成本效益分析(Cost-Benefit Analysis)」在英文語句中的反向敘述。
解題方法
-
鎖定題幹核心問句 題幹詢問:「Why haven’t big banks in the U.S. adopted the more secure technology?」(為什麼美國的大型銀行尚未採用更安全的技術?) 關鍵詞為:
big banks、haven't adopted、more secure technology。 -
回文定位關鍵段落 第四段專門針對升級成本與詐欺損失進行具體數據對比:
- 磁條卡(magstripe card)每張成本約 1 美元,而晶片密碼卡(chip-and-PIN card)每張近 3 美元;全美流通卡量約 50 億張(全面更換成本近 150 億美元)。
- 全球卡片詐欺損失約 124 億美元,美國占 44%(每年損失約 55 億美元)。
- 關鍵結論句:第四段最後一句指出:「Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.」(發卡機構發現,即使承擔像 Target 那樣大型駭客攻擊的賠償責任,依然比全面更換那些塑膠卡片更劃算/更便宜)。
- 邏輯代換推導
- 原文邏輯:承擔舊卡詐欺損失的成本 全面換發新卡的成本。
- 選項邏輯:換發新卡的成本 舊卡可能造成的損失責任。 兩者為標準的邏輯互質同義轉換,直接對應選項 (A)。
選項分析
第 25 題2 分
【題組共用題幹】
A thin magnetic stripe is all that stands between Americans’ credit-card information and the bad guys. And they’ve been working hard to break in. Banks, law enforcement and technology companies are all trying to thwart a network of hackers who are swiping account numbers, names and other crucial data used in identity theft. More than 100 million accounts at Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels stores were all affected in recent attacks, starting November 2013.
Cards are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in store transactions. Hackers scoop up massive troves of credit-, debit- or prepaid-card numbers using malware inserted surreptitiously into the retailers’ checkout systems. Hackers then sold the data to a second group of criminals operating in shadowy corners of the web. Not long after, the stolen data was showing up on counterfeit cards and being used for online purchases.
The solution could cost as little as $2 extra for every piece of plastic issued. The fix is a security technology used heavily outside the U.S. While American credit cards use the 40-year-old magstripe technology to process transactions, much of the rest of the world uses smarter cards with the EMV (short for Europay, MasterCard, Visa), a technology that employs a chip embedded in the card plus a customer PIN to authenticate every transaction on the spot. If a purchaser fails to punch in the correct PIN at the checkout, the transaction gets rejected.
The cost of a magstripe card is in the dollar range. A chip-and-PIN card currently costs close to 3 by 5 billion cards in circulation in the U.S. Then consider that there’s an estimated 5.5 billion annually. Card issuers find that absorbing the liability for even big hacks like the Target one is still cheaper than replacing all that plastic.
That leaves American retailers pretty much alone the world over in relying on magstripe technology, and leaves consumers vulnerable. Ironically enough, the historical reason the U.S. has stuck with magstripe is the once superior technology. The nation’s cheap, ultra-reliable wired networks made credit-card authentication over the phone frictionless. In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely.
Why did France give up on magstripe technology for credit card authentication?
核心觀念 本題測驗「文章細節理解(Detail Comprehension)」與「語意同義改寫(Paraphrasing)」的能力。考生需能在長篇論述中,利用題幹關鍵字迅速在文章中精確定位,並辨識因果關係連結詞(because)所引導的核心原因,進而對應選項中的同義代換詞彙(如 expensive costly)。
解題方法
- 題幹關鍵字定位:題幹詢問「為何法國放棄以磁條技術進行信用卡驗證?」(Why did France give up on magstripe technology for credit card authentication?)。其中的專有名詞「France」辨識度極高,可直接掃描文章,迅速定位至最後一段。
- 對應原文關鍵句: 最後一段第 3~4 句指出:
"In France, card companies created EMV partly because the telephone monopoly was so maddeningly inefficient and expensive. The workaround allowed transactions to be verified locally and securely." (在法國,發卡公司研發 EMV 晶片技術,部分原因在於當時的電話獨占事業效率低落得令人抓狂,而且費用極為昂貴。這項因應方案讓交易可以在終端設備就地安全完成驗證。)
- 因果關係與語意對照: 法國不再依賴傳統磁條過卡撥打電話向主機驗證,原因即為「電話驗證效率低下且昂貴」(inefficient and expensive)。比對各選項,(C) 選項的「inefficient and costly」為原文之精確同義改寫。
選項分析
- (A) 錯誤:選項稱「電話網路未涵蓋法國大部分地區」(The telephone network did not cover most of France)。