Using empirical data from laboratory experiments 28 observations of a mid-sized Japanese bank in real life, researchers find that weather conditions indeed influence a worker’s focus.
答案：(B) as well as
as well as 用來連接兩個並列的成分，意為「以及」：研究者同時使用實驗室的實證資料與對一家日本中型銀行的實地觀察；out of（出自）、in case of（萬一）、due to（由於）都是表原因或來源的片語，無法並列兩個名詞組。
這句開頭是 Using empirical data...，你直覺這裡在交代研究資料從哪裡來，於是往 out of（出自）或 due to（由於）伸手。方向沒錯，這句確實在交代資料來源，錯在這一格的位置不是「來源」的位置，是「連接」的位置。
先數這一格前後各是什麼。前面 empirical data from laboratory experiments 是一個名詞組（實驗室實驗得到的實證資料），後面 observations of a mid-sized Japanese bank in real life 又是一個名詞組（對一家日本中型銀行的實地觀察）。兩個對等的名詞組並排，中間要的是等同於 and 的東西，四個選項裡只有 as well as 做得到，其餘三個都是介系詞片語，擺進去會把後面那一組降級成前面那一組的原因或條件，句子就散了。驗算法很快：把這一格換成 and 讀一遍，句子照樣通順，就知道這一格要的是連接。另有一個常考的細節要一併記住——as well as 連接兩個主詞時，動詞跟前面那個走：The math teacher, as well as her students, was surprised by the result.（那位數學老師和她的學生都對結果感到意外。）不是 were。一句記完：The school announced that the basketball courts, as well as the library, would stay closed during the typhoon.（學校宣布颱風期間籃球場和圖書館都不開放。）〔情境取材自 114 學測作文題：颱風停課〕
out of（出自、用完）帶出來源或材料；in case of（萬一發生…）帶出假設情況；due to（由於）帶出原因。三者都是介系詞片語，後面接的成分是前面那件事的原因或條件，不能拿來並列兩個對等名詞組。同義的方向記一組：as well as ＝ along with ＝ in addition to，三個都是「以及」。
A as well as B（A 以及 B，動詞隨 A）、along with（連同）、in addition to（除…之外還）、empirical data（實證資料）、laboratory experiment（實驗室實驗）、in real life（在實際生活中）、due to（由於）、in case of（萬一）。其中 in addition to 這一組考過 5 個年度，84 年第 33 題 →、88 年第 23 題 →、91 年補考第 24 題 →、101 年第 19 題 →都出現過；due to 考過 4 個年度，89 年第 30 題 →、108 年第 25 題 →、109 年第 29 題 →都出現過。
Research has proven that weather plays a part in our moods: Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunshine increase positive thinking, whereas cold, rainy days bring anxiety and fatigue. 26 , many people believe that bad weather can reduce productivity and efficiency.
There is, however, a significant 27 between such beliefs and the actual effect of weather on people's performance at work. Using empirical data from laboratory experiments 28 observations of a mid-sized Japanese bank in real life, researchers find that weather conditions indeed influence a worker's focus. When the weather is bad, individuals tend to focus more on their work rather than thinking about activities they could 29 outside of work. But photos showing outdoor activities, such as sailing on a sunny day or walking in the woods, can greatly distract workers and thus 30 their productivity.
The findings conclude that workers are actually most productive when the weather is lousy—and only if nothing reminds them of good weather.