BEST Test of English Proficiency - website

本題組主要評量考生是否可以讀懂文章大意、理解關鍵資訊，並針對文章前後文做基本文意和詞彙的推測。文章敘述大學輟學後常感遺憾的Joyce DeFauw多年後在孩子鼓勵下復學，終於在九十歲一圓完成學位之夢。

At the end of 2022, Joyce DeFauw accepted her diploma on stage at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Many members of her family were present to congratulate her. Unlike most other members of her graduating class, DeFauw's children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren were in the audience. Seventy-one years after she first enrolled at NIU, ninety-year-old Joyce finally received her degree.

DeFauw, who left school to get married in 1955, regretted not finishing her education. When she mentioned that to her children in 2019, they encouraged her to go back. Unlike the first time she attended NIU, DeFauw did not attend classes in person. Instead, she did so from in front of a computer screen. It was, in fact, her first computer, and her children taught her to use it.

In all, it took DeFauw three years to accomplish the work necessary to qualify for a degree in general education. She took one course each semester step by step, even during summers. Her family members praise her for having a very methodical approach by following a daily routine. DeFauw offers advice to others who may be in a similar situation. "Don't give up," she says. "It may not be easy, but everything we experience has its ups and downs."

題目1

What is this article mainly about?

1. DeFauw's success in her later years
2. DeFauw's importance in society
3. DeFauw's plan for preparing for exams
4. DeFauw's relationship with her family

解析

本題詢問文章主旨（What is this article mainly about?）。考生須整合文章各段關鍵資訊，綜合研判全文大意。

文章第一段提到 Joyce DeFauw歷經七十一年，終於在 2022 年底以九十高齡取得 Northern Illinois University 學位（ninety-year-old Joyce finally received her degree）。第二段說她在1955年因結婚失學後一直對未竟的學業感到後悔（regretted not finishing her education），終於在孩子鼓勵下復學，第三段說DeFauw花了三年的時間完成通識教育學位必修（it took DeFauw three years to accomplish the work necessary to qualify for a degree in general education），由這些資訊可推斷文章依循 DeFauw老年如願以償的主線發展，與此相符的為選項A：DeFauw's success in her later years（DeFauw暮年的成功）。

題目2

Why did DeFauw need her children's help?

1. She had no money.
2. She lacked a skill.
3. Her memory was poor.
4. Her home was far away.

解析

本題詢問DeFauw求助孩子的原因（Why did DeFauw need her children's help? ）。考生須根據文章相關線索進行推測。

文章第二段提到 DeFauw 沒有到場上課，而是上遠距課程（DeFauw did not attend classes in person. Instead, she did so from in front of a computer screen.），而且因為這是她第一次使用電腦，有賴孩子教她如何使用（It was, in fact, her first computer, and her children taught her to use it.）。由此可推知DeFauw 求助孩子是因為不熟悉電腦操作，與此相符的為選項B：She lacked a skill.（她缺乏一項技能）。

題目3

What word is "methodical" in the last paragraph closest in meaning to?

1. adequate
2. courteous
3. systematic
4. dependent

解析

本題詢問最後一段中"methodical"一字的意涵（What word is "methodical" in the last paragraph closest in meaning to? ）。考生須從"methodical"一字的上下文推測其意義。

透過快速檢視全文，可發現"methodical"一字出現在文章第二段，其前一句點出DeFauw每學期按部就班修習一門課程，甚至暑假期間亦然（She took one course each semester step by step, even during summers.），後一句則說她的家人讚揚她可以每日按表操課（following a daily routine）。從上下文可推知"methodical"與按部就班、按表操課的學習方法有關，與此相符的為選項C：systematic（有系統的）。

題目4

What lesson can be drawn from DeFauw's story?

1. One must treat people in a friendly way.
2. One must keep focused on a goal.
3. One must think about others' feelings.
4. One must choose the right major to study.

解析

本題詢問文章帶給讀者的啟發。（What lesson can be drawn from DeFauw's story?）考生須整合文章各段線索，並依線索推測言外之意。

文章第一段提到 DeFauw歷經七十一年方獲學位（Seventy-one years after she first enrolled at NIU），第二段說她在1955因婚輟學後一直後悔半途而廢（DeFauw, who left school to get married in 1955, regretted not finishing her education.），從這兩處可看出取得學位是DeFauw長久以來的心願和目標。第三段點出她為達目的按部就班（step by step）、按表操課（follow a daily routine），最後更引她的話鼓勵其他人不要放棄（"Don't give up," she says.），由此可見她為償宿願努力不懈，堪為楷模，與此相符的為選項B：One must keep focused on a goal.（人須專心致志）。