READING SKILL How To Catch The Main Idea

Sentence patterns to test this: 1.Which is the main idea of this passage? 2.The author mainly tells us________. 3.Which of the following statements best summarizes this passage? 4.Which is the best title of the article?

I: Try to recognize the basic and general information 1 ： Choose the most general word. A) chemist B) physicist C) scientist D) biologist

2.All the advertisements are about _______. (All the following is mentioned) (All the following is mentioned) A. music B. movies A. music B. movies C. exhibitions C. exhibitions 3.The passage mainly tells about _______. (All the following is mentioned) (All the following is mentioned) A. Toshiba computers and copiers A. Toshiba computers and copiers B. Toshiba printers and fax machines B. Toshiba printers and fax machines D. entertainments C. Toshiba office equipment

4. The passage is mainly about ______. (All the following is mentioned) A. how to accept other people’s invitation to dinner C. how to use the right kind of knives and forks D. how to be polite to ladies at dinner B. how to behave properly before and at dinner

5 ： Choose the most general sentence. A) The hotel offers complimentary coffee from 7 to 10 a.m. daily. B) There are many reasons why guests feel at home at the Grand Hotel. C) The coin-operated laundry room has an ironing board. D) There are a number of extra services at the Grand Hotel including baby-sitting.

6 ： Read the following and choose the title that best expresses the ideas of the passage. There is a simple economic principle used to determine prices. Supply means the amount of, or access to, certain goods. Demand represents the number of people who want those goods. If there are more goods than wanted, the price of them falls. On the other hand, if the demand for those goods is much greater than the supply, then price rises. Of course manufacturers prefer to sell more goods at increased prices. It is called the law of supply and demand. A) Economic Principles B) Law of Supply and Demand C) More Goods, Lower Prices D) Fewer Goods, Higher Prices

7 ： Read the following passage and select the most proper title: According to legend, lived in the clouds on the top of Mount Olympus., the father of the gods, carried a bolt of lightning in his hand and ruled like an earthly king. was the sun god and his beams were golden arrows; he shielded the flocks of sheep and the fields of grain. was the warrior goddess, standing in shining armor ready to protect the Greek cities. There were, all with familiar human characteristics, but these were the leading gods. Zeus Apollo Athena other gods as well the gods of the ancient Greeks A) The Gods of the Ancient Greeks B) The Legend of the Sky God Zeus C) Beliefs of the Ancient Greeks D) Religions of the Past

8 ： It is spoken by pilots and airport control operators on all the airways of the world. Over 70 percent of the world's radio programs are in English II Find out the topic sentence At the beginning English is clearly an international language

9 ： In the first place, it has been fairly well established that individuals tend to become what they believe other people think them to be. When people react more favorably toward us because our voices convey the impression that we are friendly, competent, and interesting, there is a strong tendency for us to develop those qualities in our personality. If we are treated with respect by others, we soon come to have more respect for ourselves. Then, too, one's own consciousness of having a pleasant, effective voice of which he does not need to be ashamed contributes materially to a feeling of poise （泰然自 若）, self-confidence, and a just pride in himself. The title that best expresses the ideas of this passage is _____. A) Our Ego B) The Reflection of Our Personality C) How to Acquire a Pleasant Voice D) Voice Training in Personality Development A good voice, like good clothes can do much for an ego （自我） that otherwise might be inclined to droop （萎 靡） Let us consider how voice training may contribute to personality development. and an improved social adjustment

10 ： Some students prefer a strict teacher who tells them exactly what to do. Others prefer to be left to work on their own. Still others like a democratic discussion type of class. No one teaching method can be devised to satisfy all students at the same time. At the end

Buying items on sale requires careful consideration of the merchandise （商品） and the reasons for the sale. 11 ： If you were planning to buy a television set, the following advertise- ment would certainly attract your attention: “Color TV, only $79. Two-day sale. Hurry.” However, when you go to the store ready to buy, you may discover that the advertised sets are sold out. But the salesman is quick to reassure you that he has another model, a more reliable set which is “just right for you.” It costs $359. This sales tactic is called “bait( 置饵 ) and switch." Buyers are baited with a sales offer, and then they are switched to another more costly item. 1. Which sentence best expresses the main idea ? A) The customer must be on his guard when purchasing (buying)items on sale. B) Color television sets which sell for $79 are sold out quickly. C) Many stores use the "bait and switch" technique to attract customers. D) Anyone planning to buy a television set should look for a sale. 2. The paragraph could be entitled A) Buyer Beware(take care) B) Closeout Sale ( 清仓甩卖 ) C) Crime Pays D) Buying a TV Set

12. For adults a cold is not that serious. However, Cold symptoms in children may be signs of more serious diseases and should be given prompt medical attention. this is not the case for children. In the middle

Tourists, the deaf, and the mute have had to resort to this form of expression. Many of these symbols of whole words are very picturesque and exact and can be used internationally, spelling, however, cannot. Body language transmits ideas or thoughts by certain actions, either intentionally or unintentionally. A wink （眨眼） can be a way of flirting （调情） or indicating that the party is only joking. A nod signifies approval, while shaking the head indicates a negative reaction. Other forms of nonlinguistic language can be found in Braille (a system of raised dots read with the fingertips), signal flags, Morse code, and smoke signals. Road maps and picture signs also guide warn, and instruct people. While verbalization （用语言表达） is the most common form of language, other systems and techniques also express human thoughts and feeling. Which of the following statements best summarizes this passage? A) When language is a barrier, people will find other forms of communication. B) Everybody uses only one form of communication. C) Nonlinguistic language is invaluable to foreigners. D) Although other forms of communication exist verbalization is the fastest. When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas. 13 ： Ever since humans have inhabited the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech.

See you later