Receptionist: I’m 18 terribly sorry, Mr.
答案:(A) most
most 在這裡作副詞,加強語氣修飾 terribly,相當於「非常/十分」(正式道歉常見用法 I am most sorry),不是最高級比較的意思;much/more/many 都不能這樣修飾形容詞terribly 表達強調語氣。
本題大考中心未公布逐題答對率,以下不談數據,只談觀念。
most 一出現,腦中幾乎自動接上「最」,於是開始找比較的對象——可是這句話裡沒有任何東西可以拿來比。這一格的 most 不是最高級。
先看空格後面接什麼:terribly sorry。terribly 是副詞、sorry 是形容詞,空格要填的是再往前一層加強語氣的字。most 除了當最高級,還可以當副詞用,意思等於 very(非常),語氣正式,常見於書面與新聞(a most pessimistic outlook 極其悲觀的前景)。本句是飯店櫃檯對客人正式道歉,I am most terribly sorry 就是「我真的非常抱歉」。辨認最高級與「非常」有一個很好用的訊號——冠詞:the most ... 是最高級(the most pessimistic outlook 最悲觀的那一個前景);a most ... 則是「非常」(a most pessimistic outlook 一個極其悲觀的前景)。本句連冠詞都沒有,整串擺在 be 動詞後面當補語,更不可能是最高級。
much:可以加強比較級(much better)或過去分詞(much appreciated),但不能直接修飾 terribly 這樣的副詞。more:比較級,本句沒有比較的對象。many:修飾可數名詞,而 terribly sorry 既不是名詞也不可數。三個誘答選項的共同問題是:它們談的都是數量或比較,只有 most 能單純加強語氣。
most + 形容詞(非常……,正式語體)、a most unusual case(極不尋常的案例)、the most + 形容詞(最……)、be terribly sorry(非常抱歉)、apologize to sb for sth(為某事向某人道歉)、ensure sth(確保某事)。
Guest: My name is Hagen. I'm in room 229. This morning I 16 at 6 o'clock by a telephone call that wasn't for me. Now this is the second time this 17 . It's just not good enough! The call was for a Mr. Haugen! Don't you people listen!
Receptionist: I'm 18 terribly sorry, Mr. Hagen. I will inform the early morning supervisor. She will ensure it doesn't happen again.
Guest: Well, I hope not! Also, I received this FAX this morning. I've only got the first two pages. 19 should be four more. Didn't anyone check? This is a very important document!
Receptionist: I 20 apologize, Mr. Hagen. I'll check the FAX office right away. Could I have those two sheets, please?