내용·논리 빈칸 채우기

쉽게 말하면: 빈칸 앞뒤 문장이 같은 방향인지(추가·예시) 반대 방향인지(대조·양보)를 먼저 확인하면 정답 연결어가 좁혀진다.

내용·논리 빈칸 문제는 어휘를 몰라서 틀리는 경우보다, 빈칸 앞뒤 문장의 논리 관계를 잘못 읽어서 틀리는 경우가 훨씬 많다. 풀이 절차는 다음과 같다.

다음 사내 보고 내용을 읽고 빈칸에 들어갈 연결어를 고른다.

Green Valley Manufacturing recently completed an internal review of its energy costs and found that switching to solar panels on its main factory roof could reduce its annual electricity bill by nearly thirty percent. The initial investment required is significant, however, and company leaders estimate it would take about six years to recover the installation cost through savings alone.   _______, several employees on the sustainability committee argued that the environmental benefits alone justify moving forward immediately, even before the investment pays for itself. They pointed out that reducing the factory carbon footprint could also improve the company reputation among environmentally conscious clients, some of whom have already asked about the company sustainability practices during recent contract negotiations.   After reviewing both the financial and reputational factors, the board decided to approve a smaller pilot installation covering about one third of the roof, with a plan to expand if the results match expectations. The pilot is expected to begin construction early next year.

다음 교통 정책 보고서로 한 번 더 연습한다.

A city transportation department recently expanded its bike-sharing program to five new neighborhoods. Early data suggests that ridership has increased significantly in areas near public transit stations.   _______, ridership in neighborhoods farther from downtown has grown only slightly, suggesting that convenient access to other transportation options plays a large role in how often people choose to use shared bikes.

문장·문단 순서 배열

쉽게 말하면: 순서 배열 문제는 각 문단이 “배경 설명인지, 예시인지, 결과인지”를 구분하면 순서가 자연스럽게 드러난다.

순서 배열 문제는 연결사(this, as a result, for example 등)와 지시어가 어느 문단을 가리키는지 추적하면 풀린다. 주어진 문장 다음에 배경 설명이 먼저 오고, 그다음 구체적 예시, 마지막으로 결과나 결론이 오는 흐름이 가장 흔하다. 다음 지문으로 연습한다.

Public libraries across the country are exploring new ways to attract younger visitors.   (A) For example, one library in Ohio replaced part of its reading room with a recording studio where teenagers can produce podcasts and music.   (B) As a result of these creative changes, several libraries have reported a noticeable increase in visits from patrons under the age of twenty five.   (C) This shift comes after several studies showed that teenagers increasingly view libraries as outdated compared to digital entertainment options.

다음 재택근무 정책에 관한 지문으로 한 번 더 연습한다.

Many companies now allow employees to work from home at least part of the week.   (A) Critics counter that fully remote schedules can weaken team communication and make it harder for new employees to learn company culture.   (B) Supporters argue that flexible schedules increase employee satisfaction and can even improve productivity for tasks that require deep focus.   (C) Because of these mixed opinions, many companies have settled on hybrid schedules that combine in office and remote work each week.

문장 삽입 — 문맥 연결

쉽게 말하면: 주어진 문장을 넣었을 때, 앞 문장과는 자연스럽게 이어지고 뒤 문장과는 논리적 공백이 없는 자리를 찾는다.

삽입 문제는 주어진 문장 속 연결어·대명사가 무엇을 받는지 확인하는 것이 핵심이다. 예를 들어 주어진 문장이 However로 시작한다면, 그 직전에는 반대되는 긍정적 내용이 있어야 한다. 다음 지문으로 연습한다.

Riverside Elementary School introduced a new recycling program at the beginning of this semester. ( 1 ) Each classroom now has three separate bins for paper, plastic, and general waste, and students take turns each week checking that items are sorted correctly. ( 2 ) Teachers report that the program has noticeably reduced the amount of general waste collected from classrooms. ( 3 ) The school plans to expand the program to the cafeteria next semester if the current results continue. ( 4 )

무관 문장 판별

쉽게 말하면: 무관 문장은 주제와 관련은 있어 보이지만, 그 문단이 실제로 증명하려는 논지에는 기여하지 않는 문장이다.

무관 문장 판별의 함정은 완전히 다른 주제가 아니라, 같은 소재를 다루지만 논지에서 벗어난 문장을 정답으로 만드는 데 있다. 각 문장이 문단의 중심문장을 직접 뒷받침하는지 하나씩 검증해야 한다. 다음 지문으로 연습한다.

Regular exercise offers many benefits beyond physical fitness. Studies show that people who exercise consistently often experience improved mood and lower levels of stress, partly because physical activity triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of well being. Exercise has also been linked to better sleep quality, since people who are physically active during the day tend to fall asleep more easily at night. Many gyms offer discounted memberships for students and senior citizens. In addition, regular physical activity can improve memory and concentration, which is one reason schools have begun adding more movement breaks into the classroom schedule.

핵심 정리

• 빈칸 연결어는 앞뒤 문장이 같은 방향(추가·예시·결과)인지 반대 방향(대조·양보)인지부터 판단한다.
• 순서 배열은 지시어(this, these)와 연결사(for example, as a result)가 어느 문장·문단을 받는지 추적하면 풀린다.
• 문장 삽입은 주어진 문장의 연결어·대명사가 직전 문장과 자연스럽게 이어지는 자리를 찾는 것이 핵심이다.
• 무관 문장은 같은 소재를 다루더라도 문단의 중심문장을 직접 뒷받침하지 않으면 정답이 된다.

참고 자료

• 국가평생교육진흥원 독학학위제 
• Cambridge Dictionary