How to Be Effective Readers?

Good morning, in todays lecture, we’ll discuss how to be effective readers. Id like to spend some time discussing with you the following topics: What is reading? How can we read effectively? And what are the skills of reading?
（1）First of all, Id say, reading is a method of absorbing written information. It mainly contains two aspects: the degree of comprehension and the reading speed.（2）Our reading ability is closely related to our vocabulary，cultural background knowledge and reading techniques. However, we vary widely in every significant aspect—intelligence, language skills， interest, etc.So we are supposed to recognize our individual differences and work hard to be effective readers. In my opinion, there are many things that we could do. （3）Firstly， we should develop a love of reading by making reading a regular and enjoyable activity. Secondly, we should have a dear purpose in reading. （4）And we should know why we need to improve our reading speed and use different strategies for different reading tasks. Thirdly, developing good reading habits is quite important. （5）We should concentrate on the important parts， skim the rest，and skip the insignificant parts. Sometimes we should read silently rather than read aloud.
Secondly, Id like to say， generally speaking, reading programs for different levels of readers have different focuses and emphasize specific reading skills. （6）Programs for beginners generally focus on developing a basic reading vocabulary，decoding skills and reading for meaning. （7）Programs for intermediate or advanced readers are shifted to expanding vocabulary, （8）refining comprehension skills and mastering skills. In order to make reading more efficient, it is necessary for us to know some reading strategic skills. Skimming and scanning are two specific reading strategic skills for quick and efficient reading. （9）The purpose of skimming is to find the main idea of the passage. Readers often do skimming when they have lots of material to read in a limited amount of time. When skimming, readers only try to locate specific information and they often do not even follow the development of the story. （10）Scanning is another technique readers often use when looking up a word in a telephone book or dictionary to search for key words or ideas. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page to seek specific words and phrases.
Based on this, I will introduce to you three strategies which may help you to conduct effective reading. First， make sure the books are specific to your age and reading levels. Second, find some background information which relates to the book before reading. Third, leave plenty of time for reflection and let yourself be free to develop imagination at the end of the reading.
OK, today we had a brief look at the ways to be effective readers， and the skills of reading as well. Undoubtedly, reading is always beneficial. I hope youll enjoy reading and keep reading after todays lecture. Thank you for your attention.
【精解精析】
1.written information
【定位】First of all, Id say, reading is a method of absorbing written information.（第二段第一句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，作者认为读书首先是对书面信息的吸收，此处缺少名词，故填入written information。
2.reading techniques
【定位】Our reading ability is closely related to our vocabulary， cultural background knowledge and reading techniques.（第二段第三句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，作者认为人们的阅读能力是和几个因素紧密相联的:词汇、文化背景以及阅读技巧。此处缺少“阅读技巧”，故填入reading techniques。
3.love of reading
【定位】Firstly，we should develop a love of reading by making reading a regular and enjoyable activity.（第二段第七句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，对于想要成为有效率的阅读者来说，作者所给的第一个建议是:通过使阅读成为一个常规并且令人愉悦的活动来培养对阅读的热爱。故填入love of reading。
4.different reading tasks
【定位】And we should know why we need to improve our reading speed and use different strategies for different reading tasks.（第二段第九句）
【解析】根据定位句可知,作者认为成为有效率的阅读者还应该知道为何我们需要提高自己的阅读速度，以及针对不同的阅读任务采取不同的阅读技巧。此处缺少的是“不同的阅读任务”，故填入different reading tasks。
5.skimming the rest
【定位】We should concentrate on the important parts，skim the rest，and skip the insignificant parts.（第二段第十一句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，阅读时我们应该将注意力集中在重要的部分，快速地浏览剩下的部分，并将不重要的部分省略。此处缺少的是“快速地浏览剩下的部分”，又根据上下文可知，此处应填入动名词形式，故填入skimming the rest。
6.decoding
【定位】Programs for beginners generally focus on developing a basic reading vocabulary， decoding skills and reading for meaning.（第三段第二句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，作者认为对于初学者来说，主要将精力集中于发展基本的阅读词汇、理解技巧以及理解阅读内容的意思上。根据空格后的skills可知，此处应填入动词的动名词形式，故填入decoding。
7.intermediate
【定位】Programs for intermediate or advanced readers are shifted to expanding vocabulary...（第三段第三句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，对于中等水平或者高级水平的读者来说，主要应将精力集中于扩大词汇量上面。根据空格后的or advanced readers可知，此处应填入形容词“中等水平”的，故填入intermediate。
8.refining
【定位】...refining comprehension skills and mastering skills.（第三段第三句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，对于中等水平或者高级水平的读者来说，主要应将精力集中于扩大词汇量以及改善理解技巧和掌握技巧上面。此处缺少动词，根据上下文可知，此处应填入动名词形式，故填入refining。
9.main idea
【定位】The purpose of skimming is to find the main idea of the passage.（第三段第六句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，略读的目的是为了找出文章的主旨。故填入main idea。
10.key words
【定位】Scanning is another technique readers often use when looking up a word in a telephone book or dictionary to search for key words or ideas.（第三段第九句）
【解析】根据定位句可知，浏览是读者在经常使用的另一个技巧，尤其是当读者在电话簿中找一个词或者在词典中寻找关键词、关键点的时候。故填入key words。
【闪光词汇】

contain v.包含，囊括
comprehension n.理解
individual adj.个人的，单个的
limited adj.有限的
locate v.定位
emphasize v.强调
undoubtedly adv.毫无疑问地

SECTION B

Conversation One
【听力原文】
M: Im Avi Arditti， and this week on “Wordmaster”: a lesson in complaining， English teacher Linda Baker is with us from Los Angeles to discuss this topic. Welcome, Linda.
W: Thanks. Well, as far as I know, the first part of any complaint is a factual statement about what the problem is. （1）But theres another part to learn thats more important. There are students from a lot of cultures where this cultural behavior we have in the United States of being very straightforward about what we think and what we want—thats the part that would be a lot harder for them than the linguistic part of complaining， which is just saying “here is the problem.”
M: Its OK in the United States to complain，and I think this is something that a student would have to understand before he or she could actually put the complaint into action. But Linda, How would you teach?
W: I think in teaching, （2）the first step is providing that cultural background， such as the return policy of a store， and understanding that it isnt the same from one store to the next. I had an incident a few weeks ago where I bought some clothes for my daughter from a store， because she wasnt with me at the time， I just assumed that if they didnt fit I could bring them back. And they didnt fit, and I went back to the store, and to my utter surprise this store would not return my money. I was very shocked because I was used to shopping in stores that provided you with a full refund for your money.
M: I have here an example of a complaint letter. It was written to this clothing company. And this is a letter about some shoes， and it begins “To Whom It May Concern: on September 20， I ordered a pair of brown leather Peace Mules for $36.99, which includes $4.99 for shipping and handling. When they were delivered to my home, the package was wet and the leather shoes were ruined. I am returning the shoes. I realize the shipping and handling fee is non-refundable，（3）but I would like the original amount of $32 to be refunded.Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely...” and she signs it here. So what do you think of that?
W: I think thats a perfect letter of complaint. （4）She states what the problem is. She states what correction she would like the company to make. The tone is neutral； she doesnt come across as angry or demanding. What is much harder, of course, is for people to get experience complaining verbally, in person. And so once we have demonstrated several scenarios in which complaining takes place, and weve analyzed the language and structures that go into complaining, （5）the final step and perhaps the most important one—is to give students practice complaining in a sheltered environment； in other words， in the classroom. And I would do that by means of role playing.
M: Thats all for this week. Thank you for your valuable advice， Linda.
W: You are welcome.
1.What is more difficult for students when learning to complain?
2.Why did Linda Baker mention her experience of returning her daughters clothes?
3.In the example of the complaint letter, how much does she what to refund?
4.What is considered unnecessary in a letter of complaint?
5.What is the most important part of teaching complaining?
【精解精析】
1.B【解析】题目问:在学习投诉时，对学生来说比较困难的是什么？由句（1）可知，在美国，“直白”的文化行为使学生们感到尤其的困难。故选B。
2.A【解析】题目问:为什么琳达·贝克提及她退还自己的女儿衣服的经历？对话中，琳达提及退还给女儿买的衣服的经历，由句（2）可知，她主要的目的是想强调文化背景的重要性，A项符合题意，故选A。
3.D【解析】题目问:在所给出的样板投诉信中，女士想要的退款是多少？在信中，女士提出由于货物损毁，她想要退款，由句（3）可知，她只想要退回货物的款项，至于运费她表示可以不退回，所以应该退回32美元，故选D。
4.D【解析】题目问:在一封投诉信中，什么是不必要的部分？对话中，琳达对于所给的投诉信进行了评价，她认为这封投诉信是完美的，由句（4）可知，琳达认为这封信包含了所有必须的内容:所投诉的问题、所期待的解决方案以及客观的语气。D项不属于这些内容，故选D。
5.D【解析】题目问:教授学生抱怨的最重要的部分是什么？由句（5）可知，琳达提到最重要的部分是让学生练习投诉，例如通过角色扮演的方式，故选D。
【闪光词汇】

complaint n.抱怨，投诉
straightforward adj.直接的，直白的
assume v.假设，认为
package n.包裹
non-refundable adj.不可退回的
demonstrate v.证明
valuable adj.珍贵的

Conversation Two
【听力原文】
M: Hi, Tracy! Its so fine to have you here. What are you doing recently?
W: Hi, Jack. Well, I was busy dealing with my interview.
M: Right. How did your interview go?
W: Pretty well. I dont know whether Ill get the promotion or not, but I feel good about it.
M: Congratulations in advance. If you get the promotion, what will your new title be?
W: （6）If I get the promotion, I will be a senior engineer instead of an assistant engineer.
M: What kinds of questions did she ask you?
W: She asked me about my ability to work in a team and what I thought a good boss should be.
M: The second one sounds rather difficult to answer. What did you tell her?
W: （7）I told her that I’m an excellent team player and that a good boss should treat male and female employees equally.
M: Those are good answers. How did she react?
W: She told me that even when I become a senior engineer, I’ll have to work with the assistant engineers as a team.
M: Shes a tactical leader， I think. What do you think about her as a boss?
W: （8）She is considerate and generous. But sometimes shes also aggressive and ambitious， too. Its rare for one to be such a perfect combination. And I think shes a born boss，and a successful example for me to follow.
M: Youre lucky. Not everyone has such a great boss!
W: Thats true. What about you? How is everything going?
M: I dont know what I’m going to do! Its going to be impossible to make ends meet if I lose my job!
W: Dont worry. I dont think youre going to lose your job over just one mistake.
M: It was a rather big mistake.（9）When you work as an investment adviser， one small mistake can cost the company millions. It is reasonable for a boss to dismiss such an employee.
W: If its that, lets think realistically about what might happen. How much money do you have in your savings?
M: I have enough to live off for about 3 months.
W: （10）Well, thats good. If you lose your job， you can just move in with my brother until you find another job. That will save you plenty of money. I think hell be glad to help you.
M: Thats very generous of you. I guess that would work.
W: If you lose your job， you just have to go for a few months without buying all the junk you usually buy. If you live frugally, youll save plenty of money.
M: I guess working with so much money has made me rather greedy. Maybe losing my job would be a good thing!
W: Well, maybe it will be a blessing in disguise.
M: I hope so.
6.What is the current title of Tracy?
7.Whats Tracys opinion about being a good boss?
8.Which of the following is NOT the quality of her boss mentioned by Tracy?
9.Which job does Jack take?
10.What will happen if Jack loses his job?
【精解精析】
6.D【解析】题目问:Tracy目前的职位是什么？由句（6）可知，Tracy说，如果我升职的话，就会成为中级工程师而不是助理工程师。由此可推出，Tracy目前的职位是助理工程师，故选D。
7.C【解析】题目问:对于好老板的理解，Tracy的观点是什么？由句（7）可知，Tracy认为好老板应该平等地对待男职工和女职工。故选C。
8.D【解析】题目问:下列哪一项不是Tracy提到的关于她老板的品质？由句（8）可知，Tracy说她的老板温和、慷慨、有进取心、有雄心。A、B、C都提到了，D项sensitivity未提到，故选D。
9.A【解析】题目问:Jack是做什么工作的？由句（9）可知，Jack是投资顾问，故选A。
10.B【解析】题目问:Jack如果失业了会发生什么？由句（10）可知，Tracy说Jack失业了可以搬去和她弟弟一起住直到找到另一份工作。故选B。
【闪光词汇】

promotion n.提升
excellent adj.优秀的
considerate adj.温和的
aggressive adj.有进取心的
ambitious adj.有雄心的
investment n.投资