gravity 即「地心引力、重力」，不僅是與我們生活有直接相關的常見字，也因其常用性，更是各類英檢考試的高頻單字。

考點 1    

在多益考題中常考單字填空、克漏字，也就是依前後文的意思選出對應的單字：

例題：

Having lived in space for many months, the astronaut was not yet used to the effects of ___ on Earth. 

(A) gravity
(B) possibility
(C) accountability
(D) responsibility 

根據前後文，空格內應填 gravity 一字，並應避免被其他選項內的單字混淆。

考點 2    

在高階的TOEFL/IELTS 或研究所較進階的考題，可能會考 gravity 的另一字意，也就是「嚴肅」或「嚴重性」。

例如：

The lecturer bore a gravity manifested only by individuals who carried the wisdom and abilities of great experience.，在此句中的 gravity 就不是 「地心引力」的意思，而是指講者「氣質嚴肅、態度穩重」。

 釋義A    the physical force of attraction that draws objects to the ground (or towards each other) 重力；地心引力 

例1 ▶ Having lived in space for many months, the astronaut repeatedly dropped multiple items to the ground during the interview as he was not used to the effects of gravity on Earth.
這位太空人在太空生活了多個月後，接受採訪時多次將物品掉落到地面，因為他還不習慣地球上的重力作用。

例2 ▶ A primary concern that astronauts consider before planning space expeditions is their ability to perform normal tasks in simulations where a lack of gravity may inhibit basic movements.
太空人在計劃太空探險之前，主要關注的是他們在缺乏重力的模擬環境中是否能夠執行正常的任務。

例3 ▶ The gravitational pull of the moon has many effects on the Earth itself, including the fundamental tides and movements of our oceans.
月球引力對地球本身有許多影響，包括基本的潮汐和海洋的運動。

 釋義B    seriousness (of a situation); grave or extreme importance （情況的）嚴重性；極其重要的
替換字   significance, importance, weight, consequence 

例4 ▶ The judge was reminded of the gravity of the crimes committed by the youth, who had far trespassed against the legal provisions set for minors.
法官被提醒了該年輕人所犯的罪行的嚴重性，它們遠遠違反了為未成年人制定的法律規定。

例5 ▶ It was with a great deal of persuasion and influence that the industry leaders finally recognized the gravity of their dire situation and combined their resources together to face the incoming crisis.
正是在強大的說服力和影響力的作用下，產業領袖終於認識到了自身困境的嚴重性，並聯合資源共同應對即將到來的危機。

例6 ▶ Because the child did not understand the gravity of his mistake, his parents and teachers agreed to punish the child with extra classroom duties and restricted recess time until he understood the seriousness of his errors.
因為這孩子不了解自己的錯誤有多嚴重，他的家長和老師同意懲罰他，讓他多做課堂工作並限制課間休息時間，直到他明白了錯誤的嚴重性。

 釋義C    a manner, bearing, or air of seriousness 嚴肅
替換字   solemnity, austerity 

例7 ▶ The lecturer bore a gravity manifested only by individuals who carried the wisdom and abilities of great experience.
演講者帶著一種嚴肅的氣質，只有那些具有豐富經驗的智慧和能力的人才能表現出來。

例8 ▶ Doctors, regardless of their experience, are expected to maintain an appearance of gravity when consulted by their patients, as they carry a solemn duty that expects a manner of austerity.
不論醫生經驗如何，當他們被病人諮詢時，都必須保持嚴肅的形象，因為他們肩負著莊嚴的責任，需要一種嚴謹的態度。

例9 ▶ Although the committee members were on amicable terms with each other, the circumstances they now came to confront demanded a certain degree of gravity that suppressed their sentiments in favor of seriousness.
雖然委員會成員之間關係融洽，但他們現在面對的情況需要一定程度的嚴肅性，這壓制了他們的情感而傾向嚴肅。

相關字：gravitas (n.)

例1 ▶ The candidate won my vote by speaking with a gravitas that his opponents lacked.
這位候選人以一種對手所缺乏的莊重口吻贏得了我的選票。

例2 ▶ In addition to displaying competence and ambition, a company leader is also expected to have a particular gravitas that naturally influences others to follow his or her directives.
除了展現能力和野心外，公司領導者還需要具備特定的莊重感，這種莊重感自然地影響他人遵從他或她的指示。

例3 ▶ Actors portraying characters who have great power often possess a natural gravitas in their off-screen lives.
在電影或戲劇中飾演具有巨大權力之角色的演員，通常在戲外也具有天生的威嚴。