In the Central Middle Ages, starting around 1000 A.D., a number of northern Italian cities, including Venice and Genoa, rode a wave of economic and population growth that saw them become among the most prosperous and powerful cities in Europe.
Florence, though a late starter because of its isolation from the sea and the trade opportunities it offered, caught up with and overtook its rivals by engaging in manufacture and commerce, as well as trade.
How did it manage to climb to its powerful position by the end of the Middle Ages (1400 AD)?
What can be inferred from paragraph 1 about Venice and Genoa during the Central Middle Ages?

A. They were more involved in commerce than they were in manufacturing.
B. They were dependent upon trade with Florence.
C. They benefited from being close to ocean trade routes.
D. They had strong economic ties to other European cities.

托福推論題速解公式

先圈題目與選項中重點詞：
人、地點、事件、時間
關係詞（because, due to, as a result of 等因果詞）

用剛剛圈的主體與時間詞，在原文中找對應語境。
讀定位句的上下 1–2 句，因為推論線索常藏在相鄰的句子裡。

把原文的事實轉換成隱含結論：
如果 A 城因沒有 X 而劣勢 → 推出 B 城擁有 X 並因此得利。

排除與原文矛盾或額外引入未提及資訊的選項
（常見陷阱：範圍擴張、時間錯置、對象錯換、數字錯誤）。
剩下那個與推論改寫一致、且沒有超出原文範圍的選項，就是答案。

本題示範

1. 圈詞：　　Venice, Genoa, Central Middle Ages, trade, Florence isolated from sea.
2. 定位：　　找到描述佛羅倫斯落後因「遠離海洋貿易」的句子。
3. 改寫：　　既然佛羅倫斯因不臨海而劣勢，Venice & Genoa 臨海 → 享海上貿易之利。
4. 刪錯：　　A 無比較製造業。　　B 無依賴佛羅倫斯。　　D 無提到與其他城市經濟連結。　　　→剩C。

單字整理
1. ride a wave of /raɪd ə weɪv əv/乘著…的浪潮；順勢利用某種趨勢或熱潮
The tech company managed to ride a wave of public enthusiasm for renewable energy, launching　products that perfectly aligned with both consumer demand and governmental policy incentives. 該科技公司順勢利用大眾對再生能源的熱情，推出完全契合消費需求與政府政策獎勵的產品。
2. prosperous /ˈprɑspərəs/繁榮的；興旺的；成功的
In the decades following the discovery of oil, the once remote desert town transformed into a prosperous metropolis, attracting multinational corporations and a highly skilled international workforce. 在發現石油後的數十年間，這個原本偏遠的沙漠小鎮蛻變為繁榮的大都會，吸引跨國企業與高技能的國際勞動力。
3. engage in /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ ɪn/ 從事；參與（某活動）
Universities encourage students to engage in interdisciplinary research, believing that collaboration across fields can generate innovative solutions to complex global challenges. 大學鼓勵學生從事跨學科研究，因為他們相信跨領域合作能為複雜的全球性挑戰帶來創新的解決方案。

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