When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized word can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?
Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentence expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 60% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph; it is most likely to give you the main idea.
Sometimes , though , the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.
Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important . The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence （精髓）.
【小題1】It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ________.

When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized words can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?

    Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentences expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 50% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph, it is most likely to give you the main idea.

    Sometimes, though, the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.

    Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important. The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence（精髓）.

1. It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ____________.

A. at about 315 w.p.m.（words per minute）

B. to get the general idea of each paragraph

C. so that you can take in each work separately

D. to make sure you get to the end at least once

2.The topic sentence of an expository paragraph in English _____________.

A. usually comes in the middle

B. is most likely to be found at the end

C. is most often at the beginning

D. is usually left out in expository writing

3. Most expository paragraphs in English have a clearly defined topic sentence. In such paragraphs the topic sentence comes first _____________.

A. in about 5% of cases                       B in about 80% of cases

C. in about 20% cases                         D. very rarely

4.Sometimes we know the first sentence is not the topic sentence because ____________.

A. it does not seem to give us enough new information

B. it is not long enough

C. it does not come at the beginning

D. it does not make a complete sentence

5.The closing paragraph of a piece of writing ____________.

A. is not really very important

B. is often unnecessary repetition

C. often comes at the end

D. often summarizes the essence of the passage

When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized word can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?

Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentence expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 60% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph; it is most likely to give you the main idea.

Sometimes , though , the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.

Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important . The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence （精髓）.

1.It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ________.

A．a(chǎn)t about 350 w. P.m.(words per minute)

B．to get the general idea of each paragraph

C．so that you can take in each word separately

D．to make sure you get to the end at least once

2.The topic sentence of an expository paragraph in English_______.

A．usually comes in the middle

B．is most likely to be found at the end

C．is most often at the beginning

D．is usually left out in expository writing

3.Most expository paragraphs in English have a clearly defined topic sentence. In such paragraphs the topic sentence comes first ________.

A．in about 40% of cases                    B．in about 80% of cases

C．in about 20% cases                      D．very rarely

4.Some times we know the first sentence is not the topic sentence because ________.

A．it does not seem to give us enough new information

B．it is not long enough

C．it does not come at the beginning

D．it does not make complete sentence

I have been told in China, having a pet, particularly a dog, is often considered to be a status symbol because it shows the family can 　36 to have an animal. It is different here.

　　 In Canada it is 　37　 for people to have pets. Many people have dogs. Many others have cats and there are people who keep fish, birds or rabbits. Some keep what we call exotic pets. These might be ferrets, snakes or almost any other animal you can think of, although keeping 　38 pets is often difficult and because it can also be hard on the animal. The keeping of some exotic animals is not allowed by law.　　 Now, my wife and I live in a small town. We no longer have a 　39 --- we live in an apartment. We have a cat named Callie and she never goes out 　40 onto the balcony so cars are no longer an issue. She’s about sixteen years old and will probably live to be twenty or more. The 　41　 will come when she dies and we no longer have a pet. We have had a pet for so long it seems like a natural part of our lives and without a cat around the house it will seem somehow 　42 . On the other hand, we are getting older and given that a cat can live about twenty years we wonder if we will ever have another after Callie goes. Cats are cutest, of course, when they are small kittens but a kitten is 　43 for a longer time than we may have left.

　 I think having a pet is very good for a number of reasons. It helps to teach children how to look after a　 44 creature, makes them realize that animals have feelings just like we do and that, in many ways, we depend on each other. For older people like me an animal is a 　45 and a comfort to have around, a pet, properly treated, returns the favor by 　46 unconditional love. Wouldn’t this world be a 47 place if people could learn how to do that.

36. A. buy　　 　 B. afford 　　　 C. supply 　　　 D. provide

37. A. common　　 B. unusual 　　 　　　　C. particular　 　 D. public

38. A. aboard B. domestic　 　　　 C. excited　　　 　　 　　D. exotic

39. A. dormitory B. home 　　C. family 　　 　　　 D. house

40. A. except 　 B. besides　　 C. except for　　 　 D. beside

41. A. demand 　 B. dilemma　　　 　 C. decision　　 　　　 D. matter

42. A. puzzled 　　 B. confused　　 C. empty 　　　　 D. alone

43. A. commitment B. committee　　 C. friend　　　　　　 　　 D. follower

44. A. lively　　　　　 　　 B. alive 　　　 　　　　C. live　　 　　　　　 D. living

45. A. company　　 　 B. competitor 　　 C. companion　　　　　　 D. co-worker

46. A. giving out　　 B. giving in 　　 　　 C. giving back　 D. giving off

47. A. bad　　　　　　 　　 B. great 　　 　　 C. messy　　 　　 　　 D. poor

When you practice reading with passages shorter than book length, do not try to take in each word separately, one after the other. It is much more difficult to grasp the broad theme of the passage this way, and you will also get the stuck on individual words which may not be absolutely essential to a general understanding of the passage. It is a good idea to skim through the passage very quickly first to get the general idea of each paragraph. Titles, paragraph headings and emphasized words can be a great help in getting this skeleton outline of the passage. It is surprising how many people do not read titles, introductions or paragraph headings. Can you, without looking back, remember the title of this passage and the heading of this paragraph?
Most paragraphs of a passage or chapter have a 'topic sentence' which expresses the central idea. The remaining sentences expand or support that idea. It has been estimated that between 50% and 90% of all expositive（說明的）paragraphs in English have the topic sentence first. Always pay special attention to the first sentence of a paragraph, it is most likely to give you the main idea.
Sometimes, though, the first sentence in the paragraph does not have the feel of 'main idea' sentence. It does not seem to give us enough new information to justify a paragraph. The next most likely place to look for the topic sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph.
Remember that the opening and closing paragraphs of a passage or chapter are particularly important. The opening paragraph suggests the general direction and content of the piece, while the closing paragraph often summarizes the very essence（精髓）

1. 1.

   It is a good idea to skim through a passage quickly first ______.

   1. A.
      at about 315 w.p.m.（words per minute）
   2. B.
      to get the general idea of each paragraph
   3. C.
      so that you can take in each work separately
   4. D.
      to make sure you get to the end at least once
2. 2.

   The topic sentence of an expository paragraph in English ______.

   1. A.
      usually comes in the middle
   2. B.
      is most likely to be found at the end
   3. C.
      is most often at the beginning
   4. D.
      is usually left out in expository writing
3. 3.

   Most expository paragraphs in English have a clearly defined topic sentence. In such paragraphs the topic sentence comes first ______.

   1. A.
      in about 5% of cases
   2. B.
      in about 80% of cases
   3. C.
      in about 20% cases
   4. D.
      very rarely
4. 4.

   Sometimes we know the first sentence is not the topic sentence because ______.

   1. A.
      it does not seem to give us enough new information
   2. B.
      it is not long enough
   3. C.
      it does not come at the beginning
   4. D.
      it does not make a complete sentence
5. 5.

   The closing paragraph of a piece of writing ______.

   1. A.
      is not really very important
   2. B.
      is often unnecessary repetition
   3. C.
      often comes at the end
   4. D.
      often summarizes the essence of the passage