氣質姐與可愛可

Although there are many people that do not appreciate the painful effect chili peppers inflict on the tongue, archaeological evidence found in the Americas suggests that the plant has been cultivated since prehistoric times. This proves that it has been part of the human diet for _(1)_ 10,000 years. Chili peppers were first _(2)_ by Christopher Columbus in the West Indies in the 15th century. Soon after, they _(3)_ spread across Europe and Asia, becoming a staple ingredient in many cooking traditions.
　　Chili peppers are used in a _(4)_ of ways in different national cuisines. In India, chilies are used in dishes _(5)_ from fried snacks to complex curries, whereas crushed chili pepper flakes are often sprinkled on pizzas and other dishes in Italian cuisine. In Turkey and Mexico, chilies are used to make hot sauces and red pepper pastes. In North African cooking, they are used as both a _(6)_ and a table condiment. In Asian cooking, the peppers are used to make kimchi and other pickled dishes, while the leaves are sometimes cooked as greens.
　　The reason chili peppers are _(7)_ in taste is due to a compound called capsaicin (辣椒素), which is mostly found in the seeds. Studies show that capsaicin not only adds zest, but it also has many health benefits, including _(8)_ headaches and combating nasal congestion. Capsaicin is also _(9)_ in lowering high blood pressure and even fighting prostate cancer. In addition to capsaicin, chili peppers also _(10)_ large amounts of vitamin B and C as well as carotene, potassium, magnesium, and iron, which are all good for the body. To make the heat of the chili pe ppers more bearable, serve them with cooling accompaniments, such as yogurt or cucumbers. You might just learn to appreciate red hot chili peppers.

(A) spicy (B) contain (C) quickly (D) ranging (E) effective (F) nearly (G) variety (H) relieving (I) encountered (J) seasoning

原來如此

1. This proves that it has been part of the human diet for nearly 10,000 years.
理由:
a. 空格後有表數字的形容詞 10,000（一萬的），可知空格內應置入可修飾數字的副詞。
b. 選項中只有 (F) nearly（幾乎，差不多）可用來修飾數字，故選之。
例: Nearly 50,000 people attended the outdoor concert. （將近有 5 萬人參加了這場戶外演唱會。）

2. Chili peppers were first encountered by Christopher Columbus in the West Indies in the 15th century.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 Chili peppers（辣椒）和 be 動詞 were，空格後有 by 引導的介詞詞組，可知空格應置入及物動詞的過去分詞，以形成被動用法。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (I) encountered（被碰見），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。 c. encounter vt.（偶然）碰見，遇到例: We encountered several species of lizards while hiking. （我們在健行時碰到好幾種種類的蜥蜴。）

3. Soon after, they quickly spread across Europe and Asia, becoming a staple ingredient in many cooking traditions.
理由:
a. 空格所在的句子為完整句構，可知空格內應置入副詞，以修飾不及物動詞 spread（散播）。
b. 符合上述的選項僅剩 (C) quickly（很快地），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。

4. Chili peppers are used in a variety of ways in different national cuisines.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，空格後有 of 引導的介詞詞組，可知空格內應置入單數的可數名詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (G) variety（種類；變化）和 (J) seasoning（調味料），惟 (G) 置入後符合語意，並形成下列固定用法： a variety of...　　各式各樣的…… 例: My girlfriend can make a variety of pasta dishes. （我女朋友會煮各式各樣的義大利麵。）
c. 根據上述，可知應選 (G)。

5. In India, chilies are used in dishes ranging from fried snacks to complex curries, ...
理由:
a. 空格前為完整的句構，空格後有 from 引導的介詞詞組 from fried snacks to complex curries（從炸物到複雜的咖哩料理），由此可知，空格內應置入不及物動詞的分詞形態，形成分詞片語，作形容詞用，修飾其前的名詞 dishes（菜餚）。
b. 符合上述條件的選項僅有 (D) ranging（變化、變動），置入後形成下列固定用法： range from A to B　　範圍從 A 到 B 例: The people at the conference ranged from 20 to 50 years in age. （這個會議上的人年齡從 20 歲到 50 歲都有。）
c. 根據上述，故選 (D)。本分詞片語乃由以下的形容詞子句化簡而成： In India, chilies are used in dishes which range from fried snacks to complex curries, ...

6. In North African cooking, they are used as both a seasoning and a table condiment.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠詞 a，可知空格內應置入單數的可數名詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (J) seasoning（調味料），置入亦後符合語意，可知應選 (J)。 seasoning n. 調味料
7. The reason chili peppers are spicy in taste is due to a compound called capsaicin (辣椒素), which is mostly found in the seeds.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 are，空格後有介詞詞組 in taste（在味道上），可知空格內應置入形容詞或可作形容詞的分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項有 (A) spicy（辛辣的）、(E) effective（有效的），以及 (H) relieving（寬慰的），惟 (A) 置入後符合語意，表辣椒之所以有『辛辣的』味道，是因為它含有一種名叫辣椒素的化合物，故選之。

8. Studies show that capsaicin...has many health benefits, including relieving headaches and combating nasal congestion.
理由:
a. 空格後有對等連接詞 and，可知空格內應置入動名詞，和 and 之後的 combating（對抗）形成對等，作為空格前介詞 including（包括）的受詞。
b. 選項中僅剩 (H) relieving（緩和、減輕）符合上述條件，置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. relieve vt. 緩和，減輕例: Taking a hot bath can help relieve your aches and pains. （泡個熱水澡有助於緩和身體的痠痛。）

9. Capsaicin is also effective in lowering high blood pressure and even fighting prostate cancer.
理由:
a. 空格前有 be 動詞 is，後為介詞詞組 in lowering blood pressure...（降低高血壓……），可知空格內應置入形容詞或分詞。
b. 符合上述的選項僅有 (E) effective（有效的），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. effective a. 有效的例: This spray is effective in eliminating roaches. （這種噴劑可以有效消滅蟑螂。）

10. ..., chili peppers also contain large amounts of vitamin B and C as well as carotene, potassium, magnesium, and iron, which are all good for the body. 理由: a. 空格前有主詞 chili peppers（辣椒），後有受詞 large amounts of vitamin B and C...（大量的維他命 B 和 C……），可知空格應置入及物動詞。
b. 選項中為及物動詞的僅剩 (B) contain（包含），置入後亦符合語意，故選之。
c. contain vt. 包含例: Fruits contain a lot of vitamins. （水果含有許多維他命。）
精解字詞片語