How to get the main idea
of a passage
阅读理解主旨大意题
1、细节理解题 (questions of details)
2、词义猜测题 (words in context)
3、推理判断题 (questions of inference)
4、主旨归纳题 (main idea)
Reading Comprehension
4、主旨归纳题 (main idea)
Question forms:
1.主题类
（1).The main idea of the passage is ________.
(2). The passage is mainly about ___________.
(3). What is the passage mainly about?
(4). Which of the following statement can best
summarize/ sum up the main idea of the
passage?
(5). What’s the main point/main idea/central
thought of the passage?
Question forms:
2.标题类
（1).The best title/headline for this passage might be____.
(2).The text (Passage) could be entitled __________.
(3).What is the best title for the passage?
(4).Which of the following would be suitable as a title for
the passage?
3.作者意图类
(1).The author’s main purpose in writing the passage is
___.
(2).The passage is meant to __________.
(3).The purpose of this article is _______.
(4).The author’s purpose is to show _______.
主旨大意
How do we get the main idea from
a paragraph or passage?
查找主旨、标题时，注意最基本、 最具有概括力的信息。
1.Choose the most general word.A) chemist B) physicist C) scientist D) biologist
2.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 Glorietta Bay Inn. 　　C) The coin-operated laundry room has an ironing board. 　　D) There are a number of extra services at the Glorietta Bay Inn including baby-sitting.
1
English is clearly an international language. 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.
2.Let us consider how voice training may contribute to personality development and an improved social adjustment. 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. A good voice, like good clothes can do much for an ego（自我） that otherwise might be inclined to droop（萎靡）. 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
Tip 1:at the beginning
主题句( Topic sentence)在段首:一个主题句常常是一个段落的开头，其后的句子则是论证性细节。在议论文，科技文献和新闻报道中多采用这种格式。
3. Some students prefer a strict teacher who tells them exactly what to do. Others prefer to be left to work on their own(by themselves) . Still others like a democratic(民主的) discussion type of class. No one teaching method can be devised(design) to satisfy all students at the same time.
4. Handshaking, though a European practice, is now often seen in big cities of China. It is said that long long ago in Europe when people met, they showed their unarmed (无武器的) hands to each other as a sign of goodwill. As time went on and trade in cities grew rapidly, people in cities began to clap each other’s hands to make a deal or to reach an agreement. This practice was later changed into shaking hands among friends on meeting or leaving each other. “Let’s shake (hands) on it” sometimes means agreement reached. Do the Europeans shake hands wherever they go and with whomever they meet? No. Sometimes the Chinese abroad reach out their hands too often to be polite. It is really very impolite to give your hand when the other party, especially when it is a woman, shows little interest in shaking hands with you and when the meeting does not mean anything to him or her. Even if, for politeness, he holds out his unwilling hand in answer to your uninvited hand, just touch it slightly. There is generally a misunderstanding(误解) among the Chinese that westerners are usually open and straightforward, while the Chinese are rather reserved (保守的) in manner. But in fact some people in western countries are more reserved than some Chinese today. So it is a good idea to shake hands with a westerner only when he shows interest in further relations with you.
67. The main purpose of the text is______.A. to tell us some differences between the East and the WestB. to offer us some important facts about handshakingC. to introduce us to some different customs in the WestD. to give us some advice before we travel abroad
Tip 2: at the end
主题句在段尾。作者先摆出事实依据, 层层推理论证, 最后自然得出结论, 即段落的主题。本段的中心思想在结尾句得到体现,它是此段内容的结论。
5. We surveyed local residents in three university towns throughout the state to find out their opinions on the students in those towns. We questioned over three thousand people and found that since our last survey three years ago, attitudes towards students have changed considerably. “Lazy” “scruffy” and “bad-mannered” was how more than 40% of those questioned described students， up from 22% in the last survey. This year only 25% considered students to be “polite” and “friendly” compared with 39% three years ago. Overall, 49% considered students to be a positive part of the town compared to 58% last time.
3. 有些段落的主题句被安排在段落的中间
since our last survey three years ago, attitudes towards students have changed considerably.
Passage D
6. If you were planning to buy a television set, the following advertisement would certainly draw your attention: “Color TV. Only ＄79. Two days sale. Hurry.” However, when you go to the store ready to buy. You may discover that they are sold out. But the shop assistant is quick to tell you that he has another model, a much better set which is “just right for you”. It costs ＄395. This sales method is called “bait and switch”. Buyers are baited with a sales advertisement, and then they are switched to another more expensive one. Buying items on sale needs careful consideration of the goods and the reason for the sale.
The paragraph could be entitled _________.
A. Buying A TV Set
B. A Selling Method
C. Buyer Beware
D. TV On Sale
(detail)

(detail)
(detail)
An example
( detail)
effects
the topic sentence is in the middle of the passage.
Tip 3: at the middle
主题句在段中。开段的句子作为引题，而主题则由随之引出的句子来表达。为了阐明主题思想，在主题句后，仍有一些句子陈述细节。其层次为：引题--主题--解释（细节）。
7.Good manners are important in all countries, but ways of expressing good manners are different from country to country. Americans eat with knives and forks; Japanese eat with chopsticks. Americans say “Hi” when they meet; Japanese bow. Many American men open doors for women; Japanese men do not. On the surface在表面上 , it appears that good manners in America are not good manners in Japan, and in a way this is true. But in any country, the only manners that are important are those involving one person’s behavior toward another person. In all countries it is good manners to behave considerately towards others and bad manners not to. It is only the way of behaving politely that differs from country to country.
8. There’s as an old Saying: “A coward （懦夫） dies many times; a hero dies but once.” So it is with newspapers—their death has been predicted many times, but they are still with us. But will they be with us forever?
Newspapers have survived as long as they have because they can bring an in-depth coverage of issues that require time and consideration. Readers go to newspapers to learn about complex issues. Reputable newspapers become opinion leaders in their editorial and commentary columns, quite apart from their ability to investigate issues and become breakers of important news.
However, the threat of the internet is likely to prove profound. Many young people now turn to the Web for news. However much radio and television led the attack on the newspaper as a news source, one of its main sources of income –advertisings –remained intact （未受影响的）. Not only does the Web take readers, it also takes advertising. Many newspapermen see the threat of the Web as being of a new kind. Some publications will go under, but those which serve specialized markets and which are commercially solid will survive.
The death of the newspaper has been predicted many times, but the newspaper is still with us and is likely to remain so.
There’s as an old Saying: “A coward （懦夫） dies many times; a hero dies but once.” So it is with newspapers—their death has been predicted many times, but they are still with us. But will they be with us forever?
Newspapers have survived as long as they have because they can bring an in-depth coverage of issues that require time and consideration. Readers go to newspapers to learn about complex issues. Reputable newspapers become opinion leaders in their editorial and commentary columns, quite apart from their ability to investigate issues and become breakers of important news.
However, the threat of the internet is likely to prove profound. Many young people now turn to the Web for news. However much radio and television led the attack on the newspaper as a news source, one of its main sources of income –advertisings –remained intact （未受影响的）. Not only does the Web take readers, it also takes advertising. Many newspapermen see the threat of the Web as being of a new kind. Some publications will go under, but those which serve specialized markets and which are commercially solid will survive.
The death of the newspaper has been predicted many times, but the newspaper is still with us and is likely to remain so.
What mig