2.略读

略读（或称为跳跃式阅读）的重点在于找出一个段落的中心思想。可以运用词汇手段（如词根、前缀、后缀等）、靠上下文猜测词义等方法了解不认识的词汇或句子的含义。在此基础上，一个不容易理解的段落可以通过词汇省略的方法找出其主要的思想或观点。段落的理解在很大程度上取决于对其中句子的理解。英语中由于存在许多从句，常常使不适应英语思维的人感到困惑，产生错觉，因而难于达到对段落意义的正确理解。略读则可以帮助我们解决这个难点。

略读的方法是首先看一下标题（在标题的情况下）。接着读第一段，抓住中心思想。再浏览一下其他段落的首句和末句。更后读完结尾段，这样就达到了略读的目的。

略读要点一、将不熟悉的困难词语放弃不读，领会句子大意。

略读要点二、阅读中有时会遇到一些较长的句子，可以通过语法结构了解什么是支撑主题的细节描写句，略去细节描写的部分，直接读出其中心含义。

略读要点三、特别注意那些重要的构词和标点符号，因为它们可能会导致重要词汇意义的改变。

通常，略读适用于考查文章言主旨或大意的试题。

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

说明：本题属于主旨型试题，答案为A项。全文共分为四段。第一段说明睡眠的重要性；第二段解释睡眠的四个阶段用睡眠中肌肉、心跳各大脑的活动；第三段指出做梦时伴有眼球活动这一现象；第四段告诉我们治疗失眠的办法。这四段一环扣一环，始终没有离开睡眠这一主题，所以A项是正确答案。回答本题时，考生无需逐句地读，只读首句或末句就行了。