R11 分科閱讀-長篇攻略

閱讀時間約 18 分鐘

威威老師的閱讀教室：分科長篇攻略 (AST Long Passage Strategy)

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Section 1：長篇閱讀策略

分科測驗 (AST) 的閱讀篇章比學測更長（300-500 字）、結構更複雜、題目更深入。需要系統性的閱讀方法。

1.1 Active Reading（主動閱讀）

原則：邊讀邊思考，不做被動的接收者

步驟動作目的
1讀前先看標題和首句預測文章主題
2每段讀完用自己的話 概述確認理解
3標記轉折詞和信號詞追蹤邏輯走向
4注意作者的語氣和態度掌握立場
5邊讀邊問「為什麼」理解論證結構

1.2 Note-Taking（筆記技巧）

在閱讀長篇時，建議在旁邊做簡短筆記：

P1: [主旨句] — 引入話題
P2: [支持論點1] — 舉例說明
P3: [轉折] — 反面觀點
P4: [作者立場] — 綜合結論

筆記原則：

  • 每段只寫一個關鍵詞或短句
  • 用箭頭（→）表示因果或遞進
  • 用問號（?）標記不理解的地方
  • 用驚嘆號（!）標記作者強調的重點

1.3 Structural Analysis（結構分析）

常見的長篇文章結構：

結構類型說明信號詞
問題-解決提出問題→分析原因→給出方案problem, cause, solution
比較-對比比較兩個事物的異同similarly, however, in contrast
因果關係分析事件的因果because, therefore, as a result
時間順序按時間發展敘述first, then, finally
觀點-論證提出觀點→給出證據argue, claim, evidence

Section 2：Long Passages

Long Passage 1：The Democracy of Ideas

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 is often cited as one of the most transformative events in human history. Before the printing press, books had to be copied by hand — a slow, expensive process that made written knowledge available only to the wealthy and powerful. Monasteries and universities controlled the flow of information, and ordinary people had little access to the ideas that shaped their societies.

Gutenberg’s innovation changed everything. By making it possible to produce hundreds of copies of a text quickly and cheaply, the printing press democratized knowledge. Within decades, printed books had spread across Europe, fueling the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution. Ideas that were once confined to a handful of scholars could now reach thousands, even millions, of readers. The printing press did not merely transmit information — it empowered ordinary people to question authority, challenge established beliefs, and participate in intellectual discourse.

Today, we are living through what many scholars describe as a second Gutenberg moment. The Internet and digital technology have reduced the cost of publishing to nearly zero, allowing anyone with a smartphone to share ideas with a global audience. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok have become modern equivalents of the printing press, giving voice to people who were previously excluded from public conversation.

Yet this new information landscape presents serious challenges. While the printing press gave rise to professional editors, fact-checkers, and standards of accuracy, the Internet often lacks these safeguards. Misinformation, conspiracy theories, and propaganda can spread as quickly — or more quickly — than verified facts. The same technology that enables citizens to expose injustice also enables bad actors to manipulate public opinion on an unprecedented scale.

The question facing society today is whether we can develop the tools and institutions needed to preserve the benefits of open information while minimizing the harms. Just as the printing press eventually gave rise to newspapers, libraries, and educational systems that helped readers distinguish reliable information from falsehoods, the digital age may require new forms of media literacy and institutional accountability. The stakes are high: the democracy of ideas that Gutenberg launched depends on our ability to adapt.

Questions:

  1. What is the main idea of this passage? (A) The printing press was more important than the Internet. (B) Both the printing press and the Internet democratized information, but the Internet poses new challenges. (C) Social media is harmful and should be regulated. (D) Gutenberg’s invention was the greatest achievement in history.

  2. According to the passage, what was one effect of the printing press? (A) It made books more expensive. (B) It reduced the number of books available. (C) It empowered ordinary people to question authority. (D) It strengthened the power of monasteries.

  3. The word “safeguards” in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to ___. (A) dangers (B) protections (C) inventions (D) criticisms

  4. It can be inferred that the author believes ___. (A) the Internet should be shut down (B) society will easily solve the problem of misinformation (C) new systems of media literacy are needed for the digital age (D) printed books are no longer useful

  5. What is the author’s purpose in comparing the Internet to the printing press? (A) To show that technology always improves society (B) To highlight the similarities and differences in how each technology affected the spread of information (C) To prove that the Internet is less important (D) To argue that both were invented in Europe

Long Passage 2：The Science of Memory

For most of human history, memory was regarded as a kind of mental filing cabinet — a passive storage system where experiences were neatly organized and preserved until needed. If you could not remember something, the common assumption was that the memory had been “lost” or “filed in the wrong place.” Modern neuroscience has overturned this view entirely, revealing that memory is not a recording device but an active, creative process.

Every time we recall a memory, we do not simply retrieve a fixed record of the past. Instead, the brain reconstructs the memory from fragments, filling in gaps with assumptions, expectations, and current knowledge. This means that memories are not static — they change each time we access them. Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus demonstrated this dramatically in her famous “lost in the mall” experiment, in which she convinced nearly 25 percent of participants that they had once been lost in a shopping mall as a child, even though the event never happened. By subtly introducing false details through suggestion, Loftus showed that it is possible to implant entirely fabricated memories.

The implications of this research are profound, particularly for the criminal justice system. Eyewitness testimony, long considered one of the most reliable forms of evidence, has been shown to be far less accurate than most people assume. Studies suggest that eyewitness misidentification plays a role in approximately 70 percent of wrongful convictions later overturned by DNA evidence. Stress, poor lighting, racial bias, and the passage of time can all distort a witness’s memory without the witness realizing it.

These findings do not mean that human memory is fundamentally unreliable. Our memories serve us well in most everyday situations, helping us navigate the world, maintain relationships, and learn from experience. However, they do suggest that we should approach memory with appropriate humility, recognizing that what we “know” about the past may not always be as accurate as it feels.

Questions:

  1. What is the traditional view of memory that the author contrasts with modern neuroscience? (A) Memory is an active, creative process. (B) Memory is a passive storage system. (C) Memory cannot be trusted at all. (D) Memory improves with age.

  2. What did Elizabeth Loftus’s experiment demonstrate? (A) People have excellent memories of childhood events. (B) It is possible to implant false memories through suggestion. (C) Shopping malls are dangerous for children. (D) Most people enjoy recalling childhood memories.

  3. According to the passage, eyewitness misidentification contributes to approximately ___ of wrongful convictions. (A) 25 percent (B) 50 percent (C) 70 percent (D) 90 percent

  4. The author’s attitude toward human memory can best be described as ___. (A) completely dismissive (B) appropriately cautious (C) extremely enthusiastic (D) indifferent

  5. The passage is primarily concerned with ___. (A) arguing that all memories are false (B) explaining how memory reconstruction works and its implications (C) comparing different types of memory (D) describing the history of neuroscience

Long Passage 3：The Economics of Happiness

For centuries, economists operated on a simple assumption: more money leads to more happiness. This belief shaped public policy, corporate strategies, and individual aspirations around the world. Governments measured their success primarily through Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and citizens were encouraged to pursue higher incomes as the surest path to a better life. But in recent decades, a growing body of research has challenged this fundamental assumption.

The turning point came in 1974, when economist Richard Easterlin published a landmark study showing that, beyond a certain level of income, increases in wealth do not correspond to increases in self-reported happiness. This phenomenon, known as the “Easterlin Paradox,” has been confirmed by numerous studies since then. In the United States, for example, real per capita income has more than doubled since the 1950s, yet the percentage of people who describe themselves as “very happy” has remained essentially flat.

Researchers have identified several reasons why money fails to deliver lasting satisfaction. One is “hedonic adaptation” — the human tendency to quickly get used to improvements in circumstances. A raise at work feels exciting for a few weeks, but soon the higher income becomes the new normal, and the extra happiness fades. Another factor is “relative deprivation”: people tend to evaluate their well-being not in absolute terms but by comparing themselves to others. As overall incomes rise, so do expectations, leaving people no more satisfied than before.

These insights have inspired a new approach to public policy. Countries like Bhutan, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates have begun incorporating measures of citizen well-being into their policy decisions, considering factors such as health, education, social connection, and environmental quality alongside traditional economic indicators. While GDP remains an important measure, these nations argue that it should not be the only one.

Questions:

  1. What is the “Easterlin Paradox”? (A) Poor people are happier than rich people. (B) Beyond a certain income level, more wealth does not increase happiness. (C) Money cannot buy any happiness at all. (D) Happiness increases steadily with income.

  2. The phrase “hedonic adaptation” refers to ___. (A) the tendency to compare ourselves to others (B) the process of adapting to poverty (C) the human tendency to quickly get used to improvements (D) the desire for more money

  3. Which country is NOT mentioned as incorporating well-being into policy? (A) Bhutan (B) New Zealand (C) Japan (D) United Arab Emirates

  4. It can be inferred that the author believes ___. (A) money is completely irrelevant to happiness (B) GDP should be abandoned as a measure (C) well-being involves more than just income (D) all countries should copy Bhutan’s approach

  5. What is the main idea of this passage? (A) Economics is an unreliable science. (B) The relationship between money and happiness is more complex than previously assumed. (C) Governments should stop measuring GDP. (D) People should stop trying to earn more money.

Long Passage 4：Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

When an AI-generated painting won first prize at the Colorado State Fair’s art competition in 2022, it sparked a fierce debate about the nature of creativity. Can a machine truly be creative, or is creativity an exclusively human trait? The answer depends largely on how we define the term.

If creativity is defined as the ability to produce something new and valuable, then AI systems have already demonstrated impressive capabilities. Programs like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion can generate images that are visually striking and technically sophisticated. Language models like ChatGPT can write poems, stories, and essays that are grammatically fluent and sometimes surprisingly inventive. Music generation AI can compose pieces in the style of classical composers or contemporary pop artists.

However, many artists and philosophers argue that this output does not constitute genuine creativity. True creativity, they contend, requires intentionality — the conscious desire to express an emotion, communicate an idea, or explore a question. When a human artist paints a portrait, every brushstroke reflects a deliberate choice informed by personal experience, cultural context, and emotional state. An AI, by contrast, generates output by identifying statistical patterns in vast datasets, without any understanding of meaning or emotion. It does not “know” what it is creating.

This distinction has important practical implications. If AI-generated works are considered truly creative, then they deserve the same legal protections as human-made art — copyright, attribution, and fair compensation. Courts in several countries are currently grappling with these questions, and the outcomes of these cases will shape the future of creative industries.

Ultimately, the debate over AI and creativity may say more about humans than about machines. Our desire to define and defend creativity reveals how deeply we value the human capacity for original thought and emotional expression. Whether or not AI can truly be creative, its rise challenges us to reflect on what makes human creativity special — and whether that specialness is as unique as we have always assumed.

Questions:

  1. What event triggered the debate discussed in this passage? (A) A new AI law was passed. (B) An AI-generated painting won an art competition. (C) A famous artist used AI for the first time. (D) AI wrote a bestselling novel.

  2. According to critics, what does genuine creativity require that AI lacks? (A) Speed (B) Intentionality (C) Data (D) Visual sophistication

  3. The word “grappling” in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to ___. (A) celebrating (B) struggling with (C) ignoring (D) explaining

  4. What does the author suggest about the AI creativity debate? (A) It proves that AI is more creative than humans. (B) It reveals how humans value their own creative capacity. (C) It will be resolved quickly by courts. (D) It is not worth discussing.

  5. The passage structure can best be described as ___. (A) chronological narrative (B) presenting a debate and examining multiple perspectives (C) listing facts without analysis (D) advocating for one side of the argument

Long Passage 5：The Microplastic Crisis

In 2019, a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology made headlines around the world. The researchers estimated that the average person ingests approximately five grams of plastic per week — roughly the weight of a credit card — through contaminated food and water. The primary culprits are microplastics: tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in length that have infiltrated virtually every ecosystem on Earth.

Microplastics originate from two main sources. Primary microplastics are manufactured at a small size, such as the microbeads found in some cosmetics and personal care products. Secondary microplastics are created when larger plastic items — bottles, bags, fishing nets — break down over time through exposure to sunlight, waves, and wear. Once released into the environment, these particles are nearly impossible to remove. They have been found in the deepest ocean trenches, the most remote mountain lakes, the air we breathe, and even in human blood and placental tissue.

The health effects of microplastic consumption are not yet fully understood, but early research is troubling. Laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation, cell damage, and disruption of the endocrine system in animals. Some particles are small enough to penetrate cell membranes and cross the blood-brain barrier. Scientists are particularly concerned about the chemicals added to plastics during manufacturing — including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates — which have been linked to hormonal disruptions, developmental problems, and certain cancers.

Addressing the microplastic crisis will require action at every level. Individuals can reduce their exposure by avoiding single-use plastics and using water filters. Governments can implement bans on unnecessary plastic products and invest in waste management infrastructure. Scientists are developing new technologies to capture and degrade microplastics, including enzymes that can break down plastic polymers. However, the most effective solution is also the simplest: producing less plastic in the first place.

Questions:

  1. How much plastic does the average person ingest per week, according to the 2019 study? (A) One gram (B) Two grams (C) Five grams (D) Ten grams

  2. What is the difference between primary and secondary microplastics? (A) Primary microplastics are larger than secondary ones. (B) Primary microplastics are manufactured small; secondary ones result from the breakdown of larger items. (C) Primary microplastics come from the ocean; secondary ones come from land. (D) There is no significant difference.

  3. According to the passage, microplastics have been found in all of the following EXCEPT ___. (A) deep ocean trenches (B) human blood (C) outer space (D) mountain lakes

  4. The author’s purpose in the last paragraph is to ___. (A) describe the history of plastic production (B) suggest solutions to the microplastic crisis (C) criticize the plastic industry (D) compare different types of plastic

  5. What is the main idea of this passage? (A) Microplastics are a widespread and growing environmental and health concern that requires comprehensive action. (B) People should stop drinking water. (C) Microplastics only affect ocean life. (D) The plastic industry should be shut down immediately.

Answer Key

Long Passage 1: The Democracy of Ideas

  1. (B) — 全文比較印刷術和網路的共同點（民主化資訊）和差異（網路缺乏查核機制）。
  2. (C) — “It empowered ordinary people to question authority.”
  3. (B) — “safeguards” = protections，指保護資訊準確性的機制。
  4. (C) — “the digital age may require new forms of media literacy.”
  5. (B) — 作者通過比較來 突顯 兩者如何影響資訊傳播。

Long Passage 2: The Science of Memory

  1. (B) — “a passive storage system where experiences were neatly organized.”
  2. (B) — Loftus 證明可以通過暗示植入虛假記憶。
  3. (C) — “approximately 70 percent of wrongful convictions.”
  4. (B) — 作者承認記憶在日常中可靠，但建議保持謹慎。
  5. (B) — 全文說明記憶重構的機制及其影響。

Long Passage 3: The Economics of Happiness

  1. (B) — 超過一定收入後，財富增加不會增加幸福感。
  2. (C) — “hedonic adaptation” = 人們快速適應改善的傾向。
  3. (C) — Japan 未被提及。Bhutan, New Zealand, UAE 皆有提到。
  4. (C) — 作者認為幸福 包含 不止收入，還有健康、教育等。
  5. (B) — 金錢與幸福的關係比假設的更複雜。

Long Passage 4: AI and Creativity

  1. (B) — AI 畫作獲得藝術比賽首獎引發辯論。
  2. (B) — 批評者認為真正的創意需要 “intentionality”。
  3. (B) — “grappling with” = struggling with。
  4. (B) — 這場辯論反映了人類如何看重自己的創造力。
  5. (B) — 呈現辯論並檢視多方觀點。

Long Passage 5: The Microplastic Crisis

  1. (C) — “approximately five grams of plastic per week.”
  2. (B) — Primary = 人造小顆粒；Secondary = 大件塑料分解。
  3. (C) — Outer space 未被提及。
  4. (B) — 末段提出個人、政府、科學家層面的解決方案。
  5. (A) — 微塑料是廣泛且日益嚴重的環境和健康問題。

長篇閱讀要訣

  • 每段讀完用一句話 概述（mental summary）
  • 注意段與段之間的邏輯連接
  • 先讀結構再找細節
  • 標記作者態度詞（fortunately, unfortunately, surprisingly）

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