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READING
STRATEGY
BY
SMAN 1 INDRAMAYU
JL. SOEKARNO-HATTA, INDRAMAYU
PRACTICE WITH VOCABULARY
1. Understanding words in context
Look at the underlined word and write its meaning on the line.
Example I A cutlass is a short, curved sword.
sword
You should write “sword” as the meaning of “cutlass” because the definition of “cutlass” is
included in the sentence.
Read the paragraph and circle the letter of the word or phrase that completes the sentence.
Example II In law, a nuisance is an act that has no legal justification and which interferes
with the safety or comfort of other people. Public nuisances, those which are
injurious to the community, may be prosecuted as crimes.
A public nuisance is
(A) a protective law an injurious act
(B) an injurious justification
(C) a legal justification
(D) a safety precaution
You should circle (B) because a “nuisance” is an act which interferes with the safety of others,
that is, an injurious act.
B. USING APPOSITIVES
A noun or noun group that follows a noun and is set off by commas is called an appositive. It
identifies the noun it follows.
Example I Mercury, the silver-colored metal used in thermometers, is usually in a liquid
form.
The meaning of “mercury” is identified by its appositive, “the silver-colored metal used in
thermometers.”
By adding the words “which is/are” or “who is/are,” you can test if the noun is an appositive.
C. USING PUNCTUATION
Punctuation marks are sometimes used to set off a word that is being used to identify another
word. Some of the punctuation marks you may see used in this way are:
commas , brackets []
dashes – single quotation marks „„
parentheses () double quotation marks ““
Example In laser printing, the greater the number of dpi (dots per inch), the higher the
quality of the image produced.
The meaning of “dpi” is identified by the words in parentheses, “dots per inch.”
D. USING “OR”
A word or phrase is sometimes identified by synonym following the word “or.”
Example The husky, or sled dog, of the North is a hardy breed.
The meaning of the word “husky” is identified by the words “sled dog” following the word “or”
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E. USING EXAMPLES
A word or phrase is sometimes identified by examples. These terms often introduce examples:
Example I Percussion instruments, such as drums, cymbals, and tambourines, were the
preferred instruments in the study.
The meaning of “percussion instruments” is identified by the three examples: “drums,”
“cymbals,” and “tambourines.”
Sometimes the word or words used in the example can be identified by the word that is
exemplified.
F. USING CLAUSES
Adjective clauses sometimes identify words. They are introduced by these words:
that where who
when which whom
Example Airships, which are cigar-shaped, steerable balloons, have many uses, such as
filming, advertising, and entertainment.
The meaning of “airships” is identified by the adjective clause “which are cigar-shaped,
steerable balloons.”
G. USING REFERENTS
Referents are words that refer back to or forward to other words in the sentence or paragraph.
Example The solar-powered batteries in the ERS-1 are expected to function for at least
two years, during which time this satellite will be able to gather more information
than any previous satellite.
The meaning of “ERS-1” is identified by its referent, “satellite.”
H. USING CONTRASTS
Sometimes the meanings of words can be understood because they are in contrast to another
word in the sentence. Some words that indicate a contrast are:
but in contrast or
despite in spite of unlike
however instead whereas
Example The brief scenes in the movie focus on the boy’s point of view, whereas the
longer scenes depict the father's side.
“Brief” scenes are understood to be “short” scenes because they are in contrast to the “longer”
scenes.
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PRACTICE WITH MAIN IDEAS
All well-written paragraphs have a main idea. The main idea is what the paragraph is about.
Questions concerning the main idea may be phrased in different ways.
1. Locating topics
Read the following passages. Underline the word or words that give the “topic” of each
passage. If the topic is implied, then write the topic in the space.
Example Gilbert and Sullivan are best known for a series of operas that they collaborated
on. Gilbert‟s humorous plots and paradoxes combined with Sullivan‟s music have
made their operas unforgettable. Written in the nineteenth century, these operas
maintain their popularity today.
___________________________________________________________
You should underline “Gilbert and Sullivan” and “operas” because the passage is mainly about
the operas that Gilbert and Sullivan wrote. You would leave the space empty because the topic
is stated rather than implied.
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development of heavy artillery and air forces, this service has almost
disappeared.
(A) The cavalry has been displaced by armored regiments.
(B) Cavalry regiments still retain a mounted squadron for ceremonial duties.
(C) The cavalry is the part of an army consisting of troops that serve on
horseback.
Both (A) and (B) discuss the cavalry situation of today. However. the passage discusses the
cavalry from Greek and Roman times until today. Therefore, you should circle (C) because it
introduces the topic – cavalry – by giving an explanation of what a cavalry is.
In the sentence Instead of repeating the same words, writers use pronouns and short
phrases to refer to these words, these words refers to “the same words.”
These in These are called “referents,” refers to “pronouns” and “short phrases:”
They in They may refer back to a previously used word, phrase, or idea or anticipate a
word, phrase, or idea that will follow refers to “referents.”
All of the highlighted words are referents. Improving your understanding of referents will help
you to follow the flow of ideas in reading passages, to answer specific referent questions,
and to answer questions in general.
Words that:
qualify but, however, although, yet, except far
emphasize surely, certainly, indeed, above all, most important
illustrate for example, next, for instance, thus, such, such as
contrast unlike, in contrast, whereas, on the other hand, instead
concede although, yet, nevertheless, of course, after all
conclude finally, in conclusion, at last, in summary, to sum up
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add in addition, also, moreover, then, first, second (etc.)
compare similarly, like, in the same way, both, equally important
explain now, in addition, furthermore, in fact, in this case, at this point
state a consequence therefore, as a result, consequently, accordingly, otherwise
Locating referents
Read the following statements. Find the referent for the underlined word or words and write it in
the space.
Example Because of their vitality and pervasiveness, some familiarity with Greek myth and
legend is almost indispensable to a full appreciation of European culture.
their: Greek myth and legend
“Greek myth and legend” have “vitality and pervasiveness.”
Understanding referents
Read each passage. Circle the letter of the correct answer to the question that follows each
passage.
Example Differences in the way men and women process language is of special interest to
brain researchers. It has been known that aphasia – a kind of speech disorder –
is more common in men than in women when the left side of the brain is
damaged in an accident or after a stroke. However, women are more likely than
men to suffer aphasia when the front part of the brain is damaged. This clearly
indicates that the brains of men and women are organized differently in the way
they process speech.
The word they in the passage refers to
(A) men
(B) women
(C) brains
(D) researchers
You should circle (C) because brains are organized differently in the way they process speech.
Understanding exceptions
Read each passage. Circle the letter of the correct answer to the question that follows each
passage.
Example Today‟s readers look for knowledge and information through more than just an
encyclopedia. Knowledge, information, data. and images race around the world
in ever-increasing speed. With a quick press of a key on the computer keyboard,
data from some of the great libraries in the world can be called onto a screen for
immediate perusal.
The author mentions all of the following means of accessing information EXCEPT
(A) encyclopedias
(B) television
(C) computers
(D) libraries
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The author‟s mention of a screen is in reference to a computer screen and not to a television
screen. Therefore, the only means of accessing information not mentioned is television (B).
Dr. Smitten and two other psychologists chose twenty-five children for their study: five
from Campbell, ten from other multiracial schools in Miami, and the rest from multiracial
schools in other cities in Florida.
Some details are neither stated nor implied. Therefore, you cannot answer the following
questions:
1. When did the study take place?
2. Why was the study done?
3. What were the results of the study?
Drawing conclusions
Read the following statements and circle the letter of the best answer based on the information
given.
Example Few school curriculums include a unit on how to deal with bereavement and grief,
and yet all students at some point in their lives suffer from losses through death
and parting.
What topic would probably NOT be included in a unit on bereavement?
(A) How to write a letter of condolence
(B) What emotional stages are passed through in the healing process
(C) How to give support to a grieving friend
(D) What the leading causes of death are
Bereavement is the state of experiencing the death of a relative or friend. Since the leading
causes of death are not relevant to the particular death that a person may have to deal with, you
should circle (D).