2.略讀

略讀（或稱為跳躍式閱讀）的重點在于找出一個段落的中心思想。可以運用詞匯手段（如詞根、前綴、后綴等）、靠上下文猜測詞義等方法了解不認識的詞匯或句子的含義。在此基礎上，一個不容易理解的段落可以通過詞匯省略的方法找出其主要的思想或觀點。段落的理解在很大程度上取決于對其中句子的理解。英語中由于存在許多從句，常常使不適應英語思維的人感到困惑，產生錯覺，因而難于達到對段落意義的正確理解。略讀則可以幫助我們解決這個難點。

略讀的方法是首先看一下標題（在標題的情況下）。接著讀第一段，抓住中心思想。再瀏覽一下其他段落的首句和末句。更后讀完結尾段，這樣就達到了略讀的目的。

略讀要點一、將不熟悉的困難詞語放棄不讀，領會句子大意。

略讀要點二、閱讀中有時會遇到一些較長的句子，可以通過語法結構了解什么是支撐主題的細節描寫句，略去細節描寫的部分，直接讀出其中心含義。

略讀要點三、特別注意那些重要的構詞和標點符號，因為它們可能會導致重要詞匯意義的改變。

通常，略讀適用于考查文章言主旨或大意的試題。

例：

After a hectic day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the activities of the previous day .The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day.

There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level, your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other.

Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream, Scientists who study sleep state say that when dreaming occurs, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly (although your eyelids are closed). This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands rapid eye movement.

If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very slowly and very deeply. Other people believe that drinking warm milk will help make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion that counting sheep will put you to sleep!

Question: A good title for this passage is ____.

A. sleep

B. good health

C. dreams

D. work and rest

說明：本題屬于主旨型試題，答案為A項。全文共分為四段。第一段說明睡眠的重要性；第二段解釋睡眠的四個階段用睡眠中肌肉、心跳各大腦的活動；第三段指出做夢時伴有眼球活動這一現象；第四段告訴我們治療失眠的辦法。這四段一環扣一環，始終沒有離開睡眠這一主題，所以A項是正確答案。回答本題時，考生無需逐句地讀，只讀首句或末句就行了。