Scientists are coming up with new findings about brain-boosting colors.
科學家發現了有助腦力激盪的顏色。

　　On the final day of any golf tournament that he is involved in, Tiger Woods wears a favorite red shirt. Over the years, Woods has realized that red signifies power, dominance, and enthusiasm. _(1)_
　　Now, scientists are catching up with Tiger Woods' way of thinking, but they are also studying different colors. Red is associated with ambulances, stop signs, and danger, so people usually want to avoid red. Scientists knew from previous studies that red provoked an interest in food and sexual activity. _(2)_ On the other hand, blue has always been known as a calming color. Recently, it was found to help people be more explorative or creative. _(3)_
　　Professors tested 600 people to figure out if their performances varied when they were shown the colors red, blue, or white. _(4)_ The red group could remember things better and performed at a higher level with spellchecking and punctuation. The blue group exceeded the red group at making creative uses for a brick or creating toys from shapes. There wasn't a noticeable difference with the white group.
　　It seems as though others have known for years what scientists are now just figuring out. _(5)_ Also, creative people have long known that one room in their house or apartment needs to be blue to stimulate their minds.

(A) This is because most people associate blue with oceans, the sky, or other safe places.
(B) For example, many of the walls in The New York Times' editorial department are painted tomato-can red.
(C) Participants performed tasks with words or images displayed against colored backgrounds.
(D) But now, they believe that people perform better on detail- or performance-oriented tasks if they are prompted by the color red.
(E) Consciously or unconsciously, he uses this to his advantage because when Woods is wearing red, he is nearly impossible to beat.

任何一場高爾夫錦標賽的最後一天，老虎伍茲都身穿最愛的紅色運動衫。多年來，伍茲發現紅色代表力量、掌控和熱情。不管是有意還是無意，老虎伍茲利用這點作為利器，因為當他穿著紅色衣服時，幾乎無人能敵。
　　
如今科學家跟上老虎伍茲的思考模式，但他們也研究不同的顏色。紅色通常讓人敬而遠之，因為會聯想到救護車、停車標誌和危險。科學家從先前的研究得知紅色能激起人們對食物和性方面的興趣。但現在他們相信，人們在從事需要注重細節或表現取向的項目時，紅色能激發他們的表現。另一方面，藍色一直以來都被視為撫平人心的顏色。最近的研究則發現，藍色能讓人更具冒險精神和創造力。這是因為大多數人一想到藍色就會聯想到海洋、天空，或是其他安全的地方。
　　
多名教授測試了 600 位民眾，看看受測者的表現是否會隨著看見紅色、藍色或白色而有所不同。測試的項目會有不同的顏色背景，受測者便在這種情況下進行文字或圖像測試。紅色背景的那組在記憶、拼字校正和標點符號方面有較佳的表現。而藍色背景那組在使用積木的創意和利用各種形狀製作玩具上，表現比紅組來得優異。白色背景那組則無明顯的差異。
　　
看來其他人早就知道科學家現在發現的測試結果。舉例來說，《紐約時報》編輯部許多面牆壁被漆成如蕃茄罐頭般的紅色。再者，有創意的人都知道，家裡一定要有間漆成藍色的房間以助腦力激盪。

標準答案: 1. (E)　2. (D)　3. (A)　4. (C)　5. (B)

The time-based currency offers a fairer solution to work.
時間貨幣提供了一個更加平等的工作方式。

　　Everyone's life is precious, so why do some people—doctors, managers, or CEOs—get so much more money for their time than other people like teachers, cleaners, and garbage men? Most people say it is _(1)_ their special skills and education, but others believe this system is flawed. They believe that everyone's time is _(2)_ important, and to reflect that, they have established a different payment system: the time-based currency.
　　This payment system begins with the idea that one person's time is _(3)_ as much as another person's time. Every hour of work earns one time dollar, which can be exchanged for another time dollar from someone else. _(4)_, everyone's time has exactly the same value. In the real-world economy, a gardener may have to work for three hours to be able to _(5)_ a tutor. Using a time-based currency, they simply trade an hour for an hour.
　　This system allows people to exchange services _(6)_, and offers incentives to help each other when one isn't so busy, in return for help when they are. Importantly, a time-based currency _(7)_ people to do community work such as childcare, which is usually poorly paid or unpaid. Because of this, and because most schemes are localized, time banks introduce people to each other, as well as build and support communities.
　　Of course, there are problems. Actually keeping the bank's records takes time and needs someone _(8)_. Also, there is little incentive for well-paid workers such as dentists to _(9)_ to the scheme, so professional services are not always available. _(10)_, the idea is gaining in popularity, and there are now over 50 registered time banks in the US, and more worldwide. With time, this currency that treats everyone as an equal will reach more people.

(A) afford (B) Even so (C) worth (D) equally (E) informs (F) due to (G) efficiently (H) As a result (I) contribute (J) encourages (K) by means of
(L) trustworthy

1. Most people say it is due to their special skills and education, ...
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 is，後有名詞詞組 their special skills and education（他們的專業技能和學歷），可知空格應置入『形容詞 + 介詞』或介詞（片語）。
b. 符合上述條件的選項有 (C) worth（值得……）、(F) due to（因為∕由於……）及 (K) by means of（藉由……），然僅 due to 置入後符合語意，故選之。
c. be due to...　　由於……，因……而起
例: The landslide was due to the heavy rains.
（這次坍方乃是因大雨所造成的。）

2. They believe that everyone's time is equally important, ...
理由:
a. 空格之前有 be 動詞 is，空格後有形容詞 important（重要的），可知空格應置入副詞來修飾 important。
b. 選項中為副詞的有 (D) equally（相同地）和 (G) efficiently（有效率地），然僅 (D) 置入後符合語意，表他們認為每個人的時間都『同等』重要，可知應選 (D)。

3. This payment system begins with the idea that one person's time is worth as much as another person's time.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 is，後有名詞詞組 as much as another person's time（等同於另一個人的時間），可知空格應置入『形容詞 + 介詞』或介詞（片語）。
b. 符合上述條件的選項有 (C) worth（值得……）及 (K) by means of（藉由……），然僅 worth 置入後符合語意，故選 (C)。
c. worth prep. 值得
be worth + N/V-ing　　值得……
例: This CD is worth listening to again and again.
（這張 CD 值得一聽再聽。）

4. As a result, everyone's time has exactly the same value.
理由:
a. 空格位於句首，後為完整的句構，可知空格內應置入首字母大寫的副詞或副詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (B) Even so（縱然如此）和 (H) As a result（因此、結果），然僅 (H) 置入後符合語意，故選之。
c. As a result, S + V　　因此∕結果，……
例: There was an earthquake last night. As a result, several mountain roads are now closed.
（昨天晚上有地震；因此，現在有些山路被封閉。）

5. In the real-world economy, a gardener may have to work for three hours to be able to afford a tutor.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定詞 to，後有名詞詞組 a tutor（家教），可知空格內應置入原形及物動詞或及物動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (A) afford（負擔的起）和 (I) contribute（貢獻），然僅 afford 置入後符合語意，表園丁或許得工作 3 小時才能夠『負擔』一名家教的費用，可知應選 (A)。
c. afford vt. 負擔得起
注意:
afford 通常要與助動詞 can/be able to 或 can't /be unable to 並用，而不可單獨使用，其後則可接名詞或不定詞作受詞。
例: The trip is so expensive that the average person can't afford it.
（這趟旅程如此昂貴，一般人根本負擔不起。）

6. This system allows people to exchange services efficiently, and offers incentives to help each other...
理由:
a. 空格前為完整的句構，可知空格內應置入副詞。
b. (G) efficiently（有效率地）為副詞，置入後亦符合語意，表這個系統讓人『有效率地』交換服務，故選之。
c. efficiently adv. 有效率地
例: She runs the office very efficiently.
（她很有效率地管理這家公司。）

7. Importantly, a time-based currency encourages people to do community work such as childcare, ...
理由:
a. 空格前有名詞詞組 a time-based currency（時間貨幣），後有名詞 people（人們），可知空格內應置入第三人稱單數的及物動詞或及物動詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (E) informs（告知）和 (J) encourages（鼓勵）。但 inform 接受詞後通常與介詞 of 並用，形成 "inform sb of sth"（告知某人某事）之用法，而空格後為介詞 to，故 (E) 用法不合而不可選。encourages 置入後符合語意及用法，故選 (J)。
c. encourage sb to V　　鼓勵某人……
例: The teacher encourages her students to practice their French with each other.
（這名老師鼓勵學生互相練習法文。）

8. Actually keeping the bank's records takes time and needs someone trustworthy.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定代名詞 someone（某人），可知空格內應置入形容詞作後位修飾。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (L) trustworthy（可靠的，可信的），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. trustworthy a. 可靠的，可信的
例: I consider Ben a trustworthy man.
（我認為班恩是個值得信任的人。）

9. Also, there is little incentive for well-paid workers such as dentists to contribute to the scheme, ...
理由:
a. 空格前有不定詞 to，後有介詞 to，可知空格內應置入原形不及物動詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅剩 (I) contribute（貢獻），置入後符合語意，並與 to 形成下列用法：
contribute to...　　貢獻……
例: Although insects are annoying, they contribute to the food chain in many ways.
（雖然昆蟲很討厭，但牠們對食物鏈有多方貢獻。）
c. 根據上述，可知應選 (I)。

10. Even so, the idea is gaining in popularity, and there are now over 50 registered time banks in the US, and more worldwide.
理由:
a. 空格位於句首，後為完整的句構，可知空格內應置入首字母大寫的副詞或副詞片語。
b. 符合上述的選項僅剩 (B) Even so（縱然如此），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. Even so, S + V　　縱然如此，……
例: The weather was bad. Even so, we enjoyed our trip.
（天氣很糟。縱然如此，我們這趟旅程仍然玩得很開心。）

1. flawed a. 有缺點的flawless a. 無暇的，完美的flaw n. 缺點，瑕疵
例: James played a flawless game, but his team still lost.
（詹姆斯的比賽表現完美無暇，但他的隊伍依然輸了。）
例: There was an apparent flaw in their approach to the mission.
（他們執行該任務的方法有很明顯的瑕疵。）

2. reflect vt. 反映；反射 & vi. 反省；思考
reflect on/upon...　　反省……；仔細考慮……
例: The lake reflected the sunlight.（湖水反射出陽光。）
例: You need to spend some time reflecting on your future.
（你需要花點時間好好考慮你的未來。）

3. exchange vt. & n. 交換，交易be exchanged for...　　用來交換……
exchange A for B　　以 A 交換 B= trade A for B
in exchange for...　　換取∕交換……
例: Mark exchanged his sweater for a new pair of pants.
（馬克用他的毛衣換來一條新的長褲。）
例: I gave Tom my watch in exchange for his fountain pen.
（我把我的錶給湯姆來交換他的鋼筆。）

4. incentive n. 刺激,誘因 例: John has a strong incentive to learn English.
（約翰學英文的動機強烈。）

5. in return for...　　以回報……
例: Is there anything I can do in return for your help?
（我能做什麼來回報你的協助嗎？）

6. introduce A to B　　將 A 介紹給 B
例: Don't worry. I will introduce you to my boss later.
（別擔心。我等會兒會將你介紹給我的老闆。）

7. available a. 可用的；可得到的
例: Are there any seats available on the afternoon flight?
（下午的班機還有沒有空位？）

1. precious a. 珍貴的2. CEO = chief executive officer　執行長
3. establish vt. 建立，設立= set up...　　4. payment n. 付款，支付
5. time-based a. 以時間為基礎的6. currency n. 貨幣
7. gardener n. 園丁8. tutor n. 家教老師
9. poorly adv. 不好地，糟糕地10. unpaid a. 無報酬的
11. scheme n. 計劃，方案12. localized a. 地區的，局部的
13. professional a. 專業的，職業性的14. registered a. 註冊的，登記的

 

每個人的生命都很寶貴，所以為什麼花同樣的時間，醫生、公司經理或是執行長就能賺得比老師、清潔工和垃圾清潔員都要來得多？多數人會說這是因為前者擁有專業技能和學歷的緣故，但有人相信這種體制是有缺陷的。他們認為每個人的時間都同等重要，而為了反映這項論點，他們建立了一套不同的支付系統──時間貨幣。
　　
這種支付系統出自一個概念，就是一個人的時間價值等同於另一個人的時間。工作一小時，就能賺得一小時的時間貨幣，得以和別人的時間貨幣交換。因此，每個人的時間都具有相同的價值。但在真正的經濟體系裡，一名園丁或許得工作 3 小時才能夠負擔一名家教的費用；而使用時間貨幣，他們只需要互相以一小時交換即可。
　　
這個系統讓人有效率地交換服務。當某人較有空時，這提供了互助的動機，所得到的回報便是忙碌時獲得其他人的幫忙。重要的是，時間貨幣也能鼓勵人參與社區工作，像是照顧孩童這種通常都是薪資微薄或不支薪的工作。正因為如此，也因為大多的時間貨幣系統都是地方性的，時間銀行介紹人們互相認識，也建立起一個互助的社區。
　　
當然，這套系統有自身的問題。銀行做記錄需要花時間，也得由可靠的人來執行。而對於像是牙醫等高收入的人來說，他們願意參與這項方案的誘因較低，也造成專業服務的不足。即使如此，這種想法正蔚為風潮，在美國已有 50 多家登記註冊的時間銀行，世界上許多國家也加入這個行列。假以時日，這種能平等對待每個人的貨幣將深入更多人的生活角落。

標準答案: 1. (F) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. (H) 5. (A) 6. (G) 7. (J) 8. (L) 9. (I) 10. (B)