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1 阅读技巧
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2 课堂训练
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3 轻松一刻
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4 拓展阅读
Skimming (2)
The following skimming skills will help you skim a passage quickly and grasp the main idea.
1. Read only the first and the last paragraphs.
Generally, a writer’s opinion or attitude will be presented in the first paragraph, and emphasized again or just restated in the last paragraph. Sometimes the writer may draw a conclusion in the last paragraph. By reading the first paragraph, or sometimes both the first and the last paragraphs, you may become very clear about what is focused on in the writing.
2. Read only the first sentence of each paragraph.
When reading business reports or articles, you may need just to know a brief idea about them, and sometimes you just don’t have to read the literature completely. Then reading the first sentence of each paragraph will be helpful enough for you to grip quite well the main idea, for the first sentence of each paragraph could convey a lot of important information about the subject.
3. Search for key words and phrases.
Some special words may be very sensitive to people in some cases. Under such circumstances, skimming some words or phrases becomes very practical. When skimming, your eyes begin to slide down a column of words, names or figures; you are vaguely aware of other words; you react positively only when the right one comes along.
Guided Example
Example 1
Skim the following passage quickly and choose the best answer for the question.
The appeal of advertising to buying motives can have both negative and positive effects. Consumers may be convinced to buy a product of poor quality or high price because of an advertisement.
Sometimes advertising is intentionally misleading. A few years ago a brand of bread was offered to dieters (节食者) with the message that there were fewer calories in every slice. It turned out that the bread was not specially cooked for dieters, but just regular bread.
On the positive side, emotional appeals may respond to a consumer’s real concerns. Consider fire insurance. Fire insurance may be sold by appealing to fear of loss. But fear of loss is the real reason for fire insurance. The security of knowing that property is protected by insurance makes the purchase of fire insurance a worthwhile investment for most people. If consumers consider the quality of the insurance plans as well as the message in the ads，they will benefit from the advertising.
Each consumer must evaluate her or his own situation. Are the benefits of the product important enough to justify buying it? Advertising is intended to appeal to consumers，but it does not force them to buy the product. Consumers still control the final buying decision.
The passage is mainly about________.
A. ways to make a wise buying decision
B. ways to protect the interests of the consumers
C. the positive and negative aspects of advertising
阅读每一段的第一句，通过归纳总结，可以得出选项C 是正确答案。
Example 2
Skim the following paragraphs and choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph. There’re more headings than you will need.
List of Headings | |
A. Enjoying Music | B. Student Activities |
C. Entertainment | D. Sport |
Paragraph 1
Most students become involved in activities organized by the Union’s societies and committees. Over 140 groups provide for academic, national, religious, political and other recreational interests. Every fortnight, for example, students produce Steel Press, which is one of the country’s leading student newspapers, the Arts Council organizes regular exhibitions in the Union’s Gallery, and the Theatre Company stages several productions each year in the Drama Studio, which is recognized as one of the best-equipped university theatres.
划线部分是主题句，由此可以判断这段的主题是B. Student Activities。
Paragraph 2
There are almost 60 Union sports clubs, providing a wide range of sporting opportunities. In addition to the traditional sports, there is a chance to take up activities such as hang-gliding, korfball or snowboarding. The clubs offer opportunities for competitive sport at the highest level, as well as participation for the fun of it.
划线部分是主题句，由此可以判断本段的主题是sports clubs 和sporting opportunities，由此可以判断这段的主题是D. Sport。
Paragraph 3
The Union has established the Octagon Centre as a major venue on the national circuit for the very best in live music. A varied program offers the latest bands, together with jazz, rock and comedy. A range of other venues includes “The Foundry”, a popular nightclub, and rooms for private parties. The Union also has its own cinema, which screens four films each week.
划线部分是本段的关键词，由此可以判断本段的主题是C. Entertainment。
