如何做主旨大意題
在閱讀中，考生能否看懂文章，一個(gè)重要的衡量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)就是測(cè)試考生是否理解了整篇文章的主旨大意，是否具有把握主題思想的能力。每篇短文都有主題思想，但作者表現(xiàn)主題的手法各不相同。在職稱考試中，考文章主旨大意的考題主要有以下三種：
1．Main Idea類型： 選項(xiàng)形式為陳述句。要求考生選擇表達(dá)作者思想、觀點(diǎn)的句子。
典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the main idea／point of this passage？
The main idea of this article is ______.
This passage is mainly about ______.
The central point of the selection is_______.
The major point discussed in the passage is _____.
The aim of the writer is to show that._______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The main idea of the passage may be best expressed as_____.
2．Main Topic類型： 選項(xiàng)形式為名詞或名詞詞組。要求考生指出文章的Topic（論題）或 Subject（主題），或 Title（標(biāo)題）等。典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the main topic of this passage？
The passage is chiefly concerned with _______.
What is the main subject of the passage?
The best title for this passage might be _____.
What topic is treated in this passage?
The main idea of this selection may be best expressed as______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The title best expresses the idea of the passage is_____.
The passage can be entitled _________.
3．Purpose類型： 選項(xiàng)形式多為動(dòng)賓結(jié)構(gòu)。要求考生找到主要的寫作目的。
典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the author's main purpose in the passage?
The author's purpose of writing this passage is to _____.
要正確理解一篇文章，關(guān)鍵是要抓住文章的主題思想。閱讀中如何才能抓住文章的主旨大意呢？通常有兩種方法：
1. 找出主題句。一般來(lái)講，文章或段落的主題句在文章或段落的開(kāi)頭或結(jié)尾。
2. 找出主題詞。如果文章或段落中找不到主題句，考生就要找出主題詞或關(guān)鍵詞，然后根據(jù)對(duì)文章的理解自己歸納概括出文章的中心思想。
（一）、找主題句
任何一篇文章都有一個(gè)主題思想。在大多數(shù)情況下，這一主題思想是通過(guò)文章中某一個(gè)句子加以概括的，這樣的句子叫主題句。主題句是在段落中最能概括說(shuō)明段落中心思想的句子。我們?cè)陂喿x中要想抓住文章或段落的中心思想，最簡(jiǎn)潔而且行之有效的方法就是找到主題句。
據(jù)估計(jì)，英語(yǔ)中有60%——90%的說(shuō)明文和科技文獻(xiàn)都有主題句，其中50%的主題句在段首，30%的主題句在段尾，15%的主題句在段落中間。因此，.如果文章只有一段，看懂文章的開(kāi)頭兩句是極為重要的。如果文章有幾段，則每一段的第一句都要仔細(xì)地讀，尤其是最長(zhǎng)的一段更要注意它的主要內(nèi)容。邊閱讀邊在主題段或主題句或重要的詞句下面劃線，讀完全文后再回過(guò)頭來(lái)重讀劃線部分，然后就會(huì)得出作者的主要意圖。
主題句通常位于段落的開(kāi)頭。這是因?yàn)橐灾黝}句開(kāi)頭的段落對(duì)作者來(lái)說(shuō)最容易突出中心思想，對(duì)讀者來(lái)說(shuō)最容易把握作者的思路。但也有一些段落，其主題句不是位于段首而是在段落的中間或最后。
（1）主題句在段首。
一個(gè)主題句常常是一個(gè)段落的開(kāi)頭，其后的句子則是論證性細(xì)節(jié)。例如，你外出旅行，回到家一進(jìn)門你就說(shuō)："這次旅行真倒霉".這句話就可視為一個(gè)主題句，它是你接下來(lái)將要說(shuō)的整段話的主要意思所在。在這第一句之后你會(huì)說(shuō)出許多細(xì)節(jié)來(lái)說(shuō)明你這次旅行為什么倒霉。在論說(shuō)文，科技文獻(xiàn)和新聞報(bào)道中多采用這種格式。
有些段落，在主題句后面有明顯的引出細(xì)節(jié)的信號(hào)詞。常見(jiàn)的信號(hào)詞有for example，an example of，the most important example of；first，second，next，last，finally；to begin with，also，besides that；one ； the other，some，others，等等。在閱讀中應(yīng)盡量利用上述信號(hào)詞來(lái)確定主題句的位置。
例如：
People have different tastes in food. Some feel that they haven't eaten a meal unless they have had steak or other red meat. Some prefer chicken or fish and eat one or the other at every meal. Others prefer vegetables and fruits or grains and would enjoy a meal of spaghetti, eggplant, and fresh fruit. Others could live on what were called fast——foods: a hamburger or hot dog, French fries and a soft drink.
Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Some people like steak and others red meat.
B. Vegetables are very healthy for you.
C. How food is prepared has a lot to do with how well a person may like it.
D. Different people have different tastes in food.
這段文章的第一句就是主題句，確切地表明了本段的中心思想。因此D為正確答案。
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
Africa——The fight against starvation in six West African nations is being hampered by the rainy
season. Heavy rains are turning the dirt roads into muddy rivers. Relief will have to wait for a dry spell which seems nowhere in sight. The weather bureau is maintaining silence for fear of causing increased alarm.
London's weather is strange. It can rain several times a day; each time the rain may come suddenly after the sun is shining brightly. The air is damp and chill right through July. On one March afternoon Hampton Heath last year, it rained three times, there was one hailstorm, and the sun shone brilliantly—— all this within two hours' time. It is not unusual to see men and women rushing down the street on a sunny morning with umbrellas on their arms. No one knows what the next few moments will bring.
Surviving in the jungle is a science. The jungle people have become perfect in this science, and you can too. Learn as much as you can about what to expect in the jungle. Make sure you have the jungle. Make sure you have the right equipment. Then no part of the jungle will seem completely unfriendly or frightening. In fact you will be able to "live off" it for a long time.
Perhaps more than any other people Americans have come to depend on their cars. The family car has been a common thing since early 20th century, and it has changed American life. Many people have moved outside of the large cities to the suburbs Some Americans spend two hours a day or more in their cars going to work and home again. Cars have become the means of transportation for most Americans.
很顯然，上面四篇短文的第一句都是主題句。
（2）主題句在段尾。
雖然英語(yǔ)段落的主體旬在大多數(shù)情況下都置于段落之首，但也有時(shí)出現(xiàn)在段落之末。因此，如果第一句話不是概括性的或綜合性的話，快速讀一讀段落的最后一個(gè)句子，看看它是否具備主題句的特征：如果它具備主題句的特征，短文的主題思想就很容易確定了。
一般說(shuō)來(lái)，當(dāng)一種觀點(diǎn)不易向人解釋清楚，或不易被人接受時(shí)，主題句便會(huì)到段落的末尾才出現(xiàn)。當(dāng)作者想要說(shuō)服讀者聽(tīng)信其言時(shí)，一般采用此格式組織句子。通常似乎有這樣一種傾向：人們只對(duì)自己了解的新思想新觀點(diǎn)才考慮接受它。換句話說(shuō)，只有在聽(tīng)了對(duì)某一新思想新觀點(diǎn)的細(xì)節(jié)解釋說(shuō)明之后，人們才可能接受它。有些文章以列舉事實(shí)依據(jù)開(kāi)頭，通過(guò)論證，最后講出作者自己所闡述的核心論點(diǎn)。
在做閱讀理解試題時(shí)，要充分利用引出結(jié)論的信號(hào)詞，如clearly，plainly；so，therefore，thus，consequently；In conclusion，in short等來(lái)確定主題句的位置在段尾。當(dāng)無(wú)明顯的此類信號(hào)同時(shí)，可添加一個(gè)引出結(jié)論的信號(hào)詞以確定主題句是否是段落的最后一句話。
例如：
Americans might be embarrassed because their Japanese friends are so formal with them. Japanese might feel insulted because American acquaintances greet them casually. Still, the forms of greeting in both countries only show respect for others. It just happens that Americans and Japanese have a different way of looking at human relationships and thus have a different way of showing respect.
This passage mainly tells us_________.
A. how Americans show respect to others
B. how Japanese show respect to their American acquaintances
C. Americans and Japanese have different ways of showing respect
D. Japanese are not satisfied with American casual behavior
這一篇短文前幾句只講述了具體情況，均不具備主題句的特征，只有最后一句話是概括性的、總結(jié)性的，因此本段的最后一句是主題句，故正確答案是D.
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
Since plants give off this valuable gas, they are doing other living things a great service, because, since all living things have to breathe, there could easily be a short-age of oxygen in the atmosphere. Green plants, in this way; help to maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
If the wind becomes gusty after a Period of calm, you should seek shelter. The sky needs careful watching, too. Gradual darkening and "boiling" clouds should quicken your pace. Lightning and thunder are common enough storm indicators but few People realize that the brightness of the lightning is not nearly as important as the number of lightning flashes. The signs of an oncoming storm are many, and a person's life may depend on his ability to interpret them.
Doctors are of the opinion that most people cannot live beyond 100 years, but a growing number of scientists believe that the aging process can be controlled. There are more than 12 000 Americans over l00 years old, and their numbers are increasing each year. Dr. James Langley of Chicago claims that, theoretically and under ideal conditions，animals，Including man，can live six times longer than their normal period of growth．A person's period of growth lasts about 25 years. If Dr．Langley's theory is accurate, future generations can expect a life span of 150 years.．
上面三篇短文的最后一句都是主題句。
有時(shí)侯，主題句會(huì)在段落的開(kāi)頭和結(jié)尾兩個(gè)位置上先后出現(xiàn)，形成前呼后應(yīng)的格局。兩個(gè)主題句表明同一內(nèi)容，但表達(dá)的作用不盡相同，不但強(qiáng)調(diào)了中心思想，而且顯得更靈活多變。這兩個(gè)句子并非簡(jiǎn)單的重復(fù)，后一個(gè)主題句或者對(duì)前一個(gè)主題句作強(qiáng)調(diào)，或?qū)η耙恢黝}句點(diǎn)出的中心思想再作評(píng)點(diǎn)，或歸納前一主題句要點(diǎn)之后再行概括，或把前一主題句提出的問(wèn)題加以引申讓讀者去思考?？傊?，前后的句子頗有邏輯上的聯(lián)系，使中心思想表達(dá)的更嚴(yán)整。
Another American, Henry Ford, developed the idea of assembly line. Before Ford introduced the assembly line, each car was built by hand. Such a process was, of course, very slow. As a result, automobiles were so expensive that only rich people could afford them. Ford proposed a system in which each worker would have a special job to do. One person, for example, would make only a portion of the wheels. Another would insert the bolts that held the wheels to the car. Each worker needed to learn only one or two routine tasks.
（3）主題句在段中。
有時(shí)段落是先介紹背景和細(xì)節(jié)，接著用一句綜合或概括性的話概括前面所說(shuō)的內(nèi)容或事例，然后再圍繞主題展開(kāi)對(duì)有關(guān)問(wèn)題的深入討論。這種文章的主題句往往會(huì)在段落中間出現(xiàn)，但不是就在正中間。
例如：
In spite of the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American market, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler are employing more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet General Motors has its huge American work force and employs hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The foreign cars have not taken away the jobs of American autoworkers.
B. General Motors is one of the largest car producers.
C. Ford operates not only in the USA, but also in Asia.
D. The flood of cheaper foreign cars is terrible for American autoworkers.
上面這段話的主題句位于本段的中間：The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts expected. 據(jù)此，此題的正確答案應(yīng)為 A.
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
No. 1
Despite the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American Market. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are hiring more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet GM has its huge American work force and hires hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
No.2
What does the doctor need to know about his patient? In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments. This is the medical history, and although informal and brief, it is the first step at arriving at a diagnosis. The sooner a correct diagnosis, the quicker he can get effective therapy
No.3
Just as I settle down to read or watch television, he demands that I play with him. If I get a telephone call, he screams in the background or knocks something over. I always have to hang up to find out what's wrong with him. Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun. He refuses. to let me eat a snack in peace. Usually he wants half of whatever I have to eat. Then, when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.
Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun
上面三篇文章的主題句分別為：
No.1 The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted.
No2 In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments.
No3 Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.
（二）找主題詞
有時(shí)段落中沒(méi)有明顯的主題句。作者用一種間接的方式表達(dá)了段落的中心思想。這時(shí)我們不能輕而易舉地判斷出主旨或主題這樣，主題句是含蓄的，它隱含在短文或段落之中，需要考生從段落中尋找主題詞或詞組。然后用這些主題詞或詞組概括和歸納出段落的中心思想。
Bats are the only animals that truly fly. These animals use their leathery wings differently from birds. Birds flap their wings up and down, while bats use both their wings and legs, which makes them seem as if they are swimming through the air. Even though bats take much longer, stronger strokes than birds, they still can beat their wings as often as twenty times per second!
此段落的主題詞是 bats, birds , different , fly
歸納出段落的中心思想是：Bats are different from birds in flying.
Some people like to go to beach or a lake for recreation. They enjoy the swimming or boating that is available there. Other people, especially in the hot summer, prefer clean air and cool mountain breezes. Some people like excitement and entertainment. They got to shows and nightclubs. Still other people find that staying home with the family and enjoying the togetherness of spending time with loved ones is the most pleasurable experience of all.
Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
A. People enjoy different kinds of recreation.
B. Some people like staying at home with their families.
C. Some people love swimming and boating.
D. Some people are richer than others.
短文中沒(méi)有主題句，通過(guò)仔細(xì)閱讀全文，從例證關(guān)系來(lái)分析，本文的主題思想應(yīng)歸納為：
People enjoy different kinds of recreation. 因此，A為正確答案。
Joshua Bingham studied four years at the University of Paris and decided to leave before his graduation. He transferred to the University of Berlin and graduated with honors. Harvard Law School and, later, Boston College provided him with an excellent legal background. He is presently a corporation lawyer in Miami, Florida.
由于這里沒(méi)有一個(gè)句子可以單獨(dú)陳述段落的主題，讀這種結(jié)構(gòu)的段落找出其主題就不那么容易必須把每個(gè)句子所陳述的意思認(rèn)真理解之后才能確定主題是什么。
此段落的主題詞是 study at the university, graduate with honors
上面這個(gè)段落的主題應(yīng)該是 Joshua Bingham received an excellent education.（ Joshua Bingham受過(guò)良好的教育）
主旨大意題的干擾項(xiàng)（錯(cuò)誤選項(xiàng)）有3種：
1. 概括范圍太窄，只表達(dá)局部信息或某一細(xì)節(jié)，不能概括整篇文章的主旨大意。
2. 概括范圍太寬，所表達(dá)的內(nèi)容超出或多于文章闡述的內(nèi)容。
3. 無(wú)關(guān)信息：即文章中未提到、或找不到語(yǔ)言依據(jù)的信息。
Example one
Coffee is a universal beverage that is served in different ways around the world. In London, for example, some Englishmen dip mustard into their coffee, while in Denver, a Person might add a dash of ketchup. Strips of orange and lemon Peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks are not unusual additions to the brew in Europe. An Asian delight consists of coffee brewed in boiling sugar. perhaps the richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland where whiskey and whipped cream are important ingredients. In Australia a waitress will ask, "Do you want black or white?" Black is plain black coffee, but white is half coffee and half warm milk. If an Australian orders iced coffee, he will be served a cup of steaming coffee with a scoop of ice cream. It sounds like the Australian version of a "snowball in hell."
1. Which statement best expresses the main idea?
a. The richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland.
b. Asians enjoy a sweet cup of coffee.
c. Coffee is enjoyed in a variety of ways.
d. Australians have an unusual sense of humor.
2. The paragraph could be entitled
a. Some Like It Hot. b. Coffee Around the World.
c. Oriental Delights. d. A Snowball in Hell.
答案說(shuō)明
l．第一個(gè)問(wèn)題的正確答案是c，coffee is enjoyed in variety of ways.（咖啡可以以多種方式享用）這句話說(shuō)明了這段文章的主題。它基本上是本段開(kāi)頭一句的翻版，它概括了本段其它句子所陳述的事實(shí)。
答案a，和b都是錯(cuò)誤的，原因在于： 答案a和b所述內(nèi)容是細(xì)節(jié)而非主題，同主題句相比？它們的范圍顯得狹隘了些。它們的重要性不及主題句。 答案d是說(shuō)澳大利亞人具有與眾不同的幽默感；雖然本段文章某些地方可能表明澳大利亞人具有幽默感，但是答案d所指的仍是細(xì)節(jié)而不是主題。
2．第二個(gè)問(wèn)題的正確答案是b：Coffee Around the World·（遍及全球的咖啡。文章的主題句說(shuō)明咖啡是一種全球性飲料，文中的論證性句子又評(píng)述了若干國(guó)家的不同吃法。
答案a，c，d都是錯(cuò)誤的，原因是： 答案a，c, d都分別說(shuō)明了本段文章的部分內(nèi)容，與答案b相比，都欠全面。
本段文章的結(jié)構(gòu)是主題句位于段落的開(kāi)頭；作者一開(kāi)始就提出論點(diǎn)，其余的句子是對(duì)這一論點(diǎn)的論證與解釋說(shuō)明。與此相對(duì)應(yīng)的句子顯然是第一句：Coffee is a universal beverage that；served in different ways around the world．
需要特別指出的是，標(biāo)題型題雖然與主題句密切相關(guān)，但它們又有區(qū)別，找到了主題句不一定能找對(duì)標(biāo)題。因?yàn)闃?biāo)題常常隱含于主題句之中，主題句只能使考生在確定標(biāo)題的時(shí)候有所啟發(fā)，考生只能根據(jù)主題句進(jìn)行再抽象，然后找到標(biāo)題。主題句在詞法和句法上是一整句，而標(biāo)題在結(jié)構(gòu)上往往是單詞或短語(yǔ)。主題句對(duì)整篇起到統(tǒng)帥作用，而標(biāo)題是整篇表現(xiàn)的對(duì)象。主題句語(yǔ)義明確，而標(biāo)題則內(nèi)含較深。
Example two
When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level. In low visibility situations, however, the eye and other orientation senses, such as our sense of balance, are not only useless, they may be totally misleading. The only safe way to fly an airplane in low visibility conditions is to use instruments, which indicate the attitude of the airplane.
A. In bad weather, the senses can be misleading
B. Flying an airplane can be very difficult
C. When visibility is low the only safe way to fly an airplane is by using flight instruments.
D. When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level.
四項(xiàng)選擇中成項(xiàng)和d項(xiàng)內(nèi)容太具體，不能概括段落的主旨思想。b項(xiàng)內(nèi)容又太籠統(tǒng)，超出了作者的原意。只有C項(xiàng)才準(zhǔn)確地概括出段落的主旨思想。
總之，識(shí)別和理解主題句，可迅速準(zhǔn)確地抓住短文的中心思想，從而把握住全篇的主要內(nèi)容。在確定文章的主旨思想時(shí)，選項(xiàng)的內(nèi)容既不能太具體也不能太籠統(tǒng)。在選擇和確定主旨思想時(shí)，題中給出的四個(gè)選擇項(xiàng)往往都是事實(shí)，要求考生從中選出最能概括文章主旨思想的一項(xiàng)作為正確答案。在這方面考生容易犯以下兩種錯(cuò)誤：一種是把主題的一部分看成是文章的"主旨思想"，這樣選擇的"主旨思想"太具體，不能準(zhǔn)確地概括出整個(gè)文章或段落的主旨思想。另一種是在表達(dá)作者的主旨思想時(shí)，詞語(yǔ)概括的范圍太大，太籠統(tǒng)，超出了作者的本意。
在閱讀中，考生能否看懂文章，一個(gè)重要的衡量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)就是測(cè)試考生是否理解了整篇文章的主旨大意，是否具有把握主題思想的能力。每篇短文都有主題思想，但作者表現(xiàn)主題的手法各不相同。在職稱考試中，考文章主旨大意的考題主要有以下三種：
1．Main Idea類型： 選項(xiàng)形式為陳述句。要求考生選擇表達(dá)作者思想、觀點(diǎn)的句子。
典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the main idea／point of this passage？
The main idea of this article is ______.
This passage is mainly about ______.
The central point of the selection is_______.
The major point discussed in the passage is _____.
The aim of the writer is to show that._______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The main idea of the passage may be best expressed as_____.
2．Main Topic類型： 選項(xiàng)形式為名詞或名詞詞組。要求考生指出文章的Topic（論題）或 Subject（主題），或 Title（標(biāo)題）等。典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the main topic of this passage？
The passage is chiefly concerned with _______.
What is the main subject of the passage?
The best title for this passage might be _____.
What topic is treated in this passage?
The main idea of this selection may be best expressed as______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The title best expresses the idea of the passage is_____.
The passage can be entitled _________.
3．Purpose類型： 選項(xiàng)形式多為動(dòng)賓結(jié)構(gòu)。要求考生找到主要的寫作目的。
典型問(wèn)題形式：
What is the author's main purpose in the passage?
The author's purpose of writing this passage is to _____.
要正確理解一篇文章，關(guān)鍵是要抓住文章的主題思想。閱讀中如何才能抓住文章的主旨大意呢？通常有兩種方法：
1. 找出主題句。一般來(lái)講，文章或段落的主題句在文章或段落的開(kāi)頭或結(jié)尾。
2. 找出主題詞。如果文章或段落中找不到主題句，考生就要找出主題詞或關(guān)鍵詞，然后根據(jù)對(duì)文章的理解自己歸納概括出文章的中心思想。
（一）、找主題句
任何一篇文章都有一個(gè)主題思想。在大多數(shù)情況下，這一主題思想是通過(guò)文章中某一個(gè)句子加以概括的，這樣的句子叫主題句。主題句是在段落中最能概括說(shuō)明段落中心思想的句子。我們?cè)陂喿x中要想抓住文章或段落的中心思想，最簡(jiǎn)潔而且行之有效的方法就是找到主題句。
據(jù)估計(jì)，英語(yǔ)中有60%——90%的說(shuō)明文和科技文獻(xiàn)都有主題句，其中50%的主題句在段首，30%的主題句在段尾，15%的主題句在段落中間。因此，.如果文章只有一段，看懂文章的開(kāi)頭兩句是極為重要的。如果文章有幾段，則每一段的第一句都要仔細(xì)地讀，尤其是最長(zhǎng)的一段更要注意它的主要內(nèi)容。邊閱讀邊在主題段或主題句或重要的詞句下面劃線，讀完全文后再回過(guò)頭來(lái)重讀劃線部分，然后就會(huì)得出作者的主要意圖。
主題句通常位于段落的開(kāi)頭。這是因?yàn)橐灾黝}句開(kāi)頭的段落對(duì)作者來(lái)說(shuō)最容易突出中心思想，對(duì)讀者來(lái)說(shuō)最容易把握作者的思路。但也有一些段落，其主題句不是位于段首而是在段落的中間或最后。
（1）主題句在段首。
一個(gè)主題句常常是一個(gè)段落的開(kāi)頭，其后的句子則是論證性細(xì)節(jié)。例如，你外出旅行，回到家一進(jìn)門你就說(shuō)："這次旅行真倒霉".這句話就可視為一個(gè)主題句，它是你接下來(lái)將要說(shuō)的整段話的主要意思所在。在這第一句之后你會(huì)說(shuō)出許多細(xì)節(jié)來(lái)說(shuō)明你這次旅行為什么倒霉。在論說(shuō)文，科技文獻(xiàn)和新聞報(bào)道中多采用這種格式。
有些段落，在主題句后面有明顯的引出細(xì)節(jié)的信號(hào)詞。常見(jiàn)的信號(hào)詞有for example，an example of，the most important example of；first，second，next，last，finally；to begin with，also，besides that；one ； the other，some，others，等等。在閱讀中應(yīng)盡量利用上述信號(hào)詞來(lái)確定主題句的位置。
例如：
People have different tastes in food. Some feel that they haven't eaten a meal unless they have had steak or other red meat. Some prefer chicken or fish and eat one or the other at every meal. Others prefer vegetables and fruits or grains and would enjoy a meal of spaghetti, eggplant, and fresh fruit. Others could live on what were called fast——foods: a hamburger or hot dog, French fries and a soft drink.
Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Some people like steak and others red meat.
B. Vegetables are very healthy for you.
C. How food is prepared has a lot to do with how well a person may like it.
D. Different people have different tastes in food.
這段文章的第一句就是主題句，確切地表明了本段的中心思想。因此D為正確答案。
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
Africa——The fight against starvation in six West African nations is being hampered by the rainy
season. Heavy rains are turning the dirt roads into muddy rivers. Relief will have to wait for a dry spell which seems nowhere in sight. The weather bureau is maintaining silence for fear of causing increased alarm.
London's weather is strange. It can rain several times a day; each time the rain may come suddenly after the sun is shining brightly. The air is damp and chill right through July. On one March afternoon Hampton Heath last year, it rained three times, there was one hailstorm, and the sun shone brilliantly—— all this within two hours' time. It is not unusual to see men and women rushing down the street on a sunny morning with umbrellas on their arms. No one knows what the next few moments will bring.
Surviving in the jungle is a science. The jungle people have become perfect in this science, and you can too. Learn as much as you can about what to expect in the jungle. Make sure you have the jungle. Make sure you have the right equipment. Then no part of the jungle will seem completely unfriendly or frightening. In fact you will be able to "live off" it for a long time.
Perhaps more than any other people Americans have come to depend on their cars. The family car has been a common thing since early 20th century, and it has changed American life. Many people have moved outside of the large cities to the suburbs Some Americans spend two hours a day or more in their cars going to work and home again. Cars have become the means of transportation for most Americans.
很顯然，上面四篇短文的第一句都是主題句。
（2）主題句在段尾。
雖然英語(yǔ)段落的主體旬在大多數(shù)情況下都置于段落之首，但也有時(shí)出現(xiàn)在段落之末。因此，如果第一句話不是概括性的或綜合性的話，快速讀一讀段落的最后一個(gè)句子，看看它是否具備主題句的特征：如果它具備主題句的特征，短文的主題思想就很容易確定了。
一般說(shuō)來(lái)，當(dāng)一種觀點(diǎn)不易向人解釋清楚，或不易被人接受時(shí)，主題句便會(huì)到段落的末尾才出現(xiàn)。當(dāng)作者想要說(shuō)服讀者聽(tīng)信其言時(shí)，一般采用此格式組織句子。通常似乎有這樣一種傾向：人們只對(duì)自己了解的新思想新觀點(diǎn)才考慮接受它。換句話說(shuō)，只有在聽(tīng)了對(duì)某一新思想新觀點(diǎn)的細(xì)節(jié)解釋說(shuō)明之后，人們才可能接受它。有些文章以列舉事實(shí)依據(jù)開(kāi)頭，通過(guò)論證，最后講出作者自己所闡述的核心論點(diǎn)。
在做閱讀理解試題時(shí)，要充分利用引出結(jié)論的信號(hào)詞，如clearly，plainly；so，therefore，thus，consequently；In conclusion，in short等來(lái)確定主題句的位置在段尾。當(dāng)無(wú)明顯的此類信號(hào)同時(shí)，可添加一個(gè)引出結(jié)論的信號(hào)詞以確定主題句是否是段落的最后一句話。
例如：
Americans might be embarrassed because their Japanese friends are so formal with them. Japanese might feel insulted because American acquaintances greet them casually. Still, the forms of greeting in both countries only show respect for others. It just happens that Americans and Japanese have a different way of looking at human relationships and thus have a different way of showing respect.
This passage mainly tells us_________.
A. how Americans show respect to others
B. how Japanese show respect to their American acquaintances
C. Americans and Japanese have different ways of showing respect
D. Japanese are not satisfied with American casual behavior
這一篇短文前幾句只講述了具體情況，均不具備主題句的特征，只有最后一句話是概括性的、總結(jié)性的，因此本段的最后一句是主題句，故正確答案是D.
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
Since plants give off this valuable gas, they are doing other living things a great service, because, since all living things have to breathe, there could easily be a short-age of oxygen in the atmosphere. Green plants, in this way; help to maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
If the wind becomes gusty after a Period of calm, you should seek shelter. The sky needs careful watching, too. Gradual darkening and "boiling" clouds should quicken your pace. Lightning and thunder are common enough storm indicators but few People realize that the brightness of the lightning is not nearly as important as the number of lightning flashes. The signs of an oncoming storm are many, and a person's life may depend on his ability to interpret them.
Doctors are of the opinion that most people cannot live beyond 100 years, but a growing number of scientists believe that the aging process can be controlled. There are more than 12 000 Americans over l00 years old, and their numbers are increasing each year. Dr. James Langley of Chicago claims that, theoretically and under ideal conditions，animals，Including man，can live six times longer than their normal period of growth．A person's period of growth lasts about 25 years. If Dr．Langley's theory is accurate, future generations can expect a life span of 150 years.．
上面三篇短文的最后一句都是主題句。
有時(shí)侯，主題句會(huì)在段落的開(kāi)頭和結(jié)尾兩個(gè)位置上先后出現(xiàn)，形成前呼后應(yīng)的格局。兩個(gè)主題句表明同一內(nèi)容，但表達(dá)的作用不盡相同，不但強(qiáng)調(diào)了中心思想，而且顯得更靈活多變。這兩個(gè)句子并非簡(jiǎn)單的重復(fù)，后一個(gè)主題句或者對(duì)前一個(gè)主題句作強(qiáng)調(diào)，或?qū)η耙恢黝}句點(diǎn)出的中心思想再作評(píng)點(diǎn)，或歸納前一主題句要點(diǎn)之后再行概括，或把前一主題句提出的問(wèn)題加以引申讓讀者去思考?？傊?，前后的句子頗有邏輯上的聯(lián)系，使中心思想表達(dá)的更嚴(yán)整。
Another American, Henry Ford, developed the idea of assembly line. Before Ford introduced the assembly line, each car was built by hand. Such a process was, of course, very slow. As a result, automobiles were so expensive that only rich people could afford them. Ford proposed a system in which each worker would have a special job to do. One person, for example, would make only a portion of the wheels. Another would insert the bolts that held the wheels to the car. Each worker needed to learn only one or two routine tasks.
（3）主題句在段中。
有時(shí)段落是先介紹背景和細(xì)節(jié)，接著用一句綜合或概括性的話概括前面所說(shuō)的內(nèi)容或事例，然后再圍繞主題展開(kāi)對(duì)有關(guān)問(wèn)題的深入討論。這種文章的主題句往往會(huì)在段落中間出現(xiàn)，但不是就在正中間。
例如：
In spite of the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American market, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler are employing more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet General Motors has its huge American work force and employs hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The foreign cars have not taken away the jobs of American autoworkers.
B. General Motors is one of the largest car producers.
C. Ford operates not only in the USA, but also in Asia.
D. The flood of cheaper foreign cars is terrible for American autoworkers.
上面這段話的主題句位于本段的中間：The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts expected. 據(jù)此，此題的正確答案應(yīng)為 A.
請(qǐng)閱讀下列短文并找出主題句
No. 1
Despite the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American Market. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are hiring more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet GM has its huge American work force and hires hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
No.2
What does the doctor need to know about his patient? In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments. This is the medical history, and although informal and brief, it is the first step at arriving at a diagnosis. The sooner a correct diagnosis, the quicker he can get effective therapy
No.3
Just as I settle down to read or watch television, he demands that I play with him. If I get a telephone call, he screams in the background or knocks something over. I always have to hang up to find out what's wrong with him. Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun. He refuses. to let me eat a snack in peace. Usually he wants half of whatever I have to eat. Then, when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.
Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun
上面三篇文章的主題句分別為：
No.1 The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted.
No2 In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments.
No3 Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.
（二）找主題詞
有時(shí)段落中沒(méi)有明顯的主題句。作者用一種間接的方式表達(dá)了段落的中心思想。這時(shí)我們不能輕而易舉地判斷出主旨或主題這樣，主題句是含蓄的，它隱含在短文或段落之中，需要考生從段落中尋找主題詞或詞組。然后用這些主題詞或詞組概括和歸納出段落的中心思想。
Bats are the only animals that truly fly. These animals use their leathery wings differently from birds. Birds flap their wings up and down, while bats use both their wings and legs, which makes them seem as if they are swimming through the air. Even though bats take much longer, stronger strokes than birds, they still can beat their wings as often as twenty times per second!
此段落的主題詞是 bats, birds , different , fly
歸納出段落的中心思想是：Bats are different from birds in flying.
Some people like to go to beach or a lake for recreation. They enjoy the swimming or boating that is available there. Other people, especially in the hot summer, prefer clean air and cool mountain breezes. Some people like excitement and entertainment. They got to shows and nightclubs. Still other people find that staying home with the family and enjoying the togetherness of spending time with loved ones is the most pleasurable experience of all.
Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
A. People enjoy different kinds of recreation.
B. Some people like staying at home with their families.
C. Some people love swimming and boating.
D. Some people are richer than others.
短文中沒(méi)有主題句，通過(guò)仔細(xì)閱讀全文，從例證關(guān)系來(lái)分析，本文的主題思想應(yīng)歸納為：
People enjoy different kinds of recreation. 因此，A為正確答案。
Joshua Bingham studied four years at the University of Paris and decided to leave before his graduation. He transferred to the University of Berlin and graduated with honors. Harvard Law School and, later, Boston College provided him with an excellent legal background. He is presently a corporation lawyer in Miami, Florida.
由于這里沒(méi)有一個(gè)句子可以單獨(dú)陳述段落的主題，讀這種結(jié)構(gòu)的段落找出其主題就不那么容易必須把每個(gè)句子所陳述的意思認(rèn)真理解之后才能確定主題是什么。
此段落的主題詞是 study at the university, graduate with honors
上面這個(gè)段落的主題應(yīng)該是 Joshua Bingham received an excellent education.（ Joshua Bingham受過(guò)良好的教育）
主旨大意題的干擾項(xiàng)（錯(cuò)誤選項(xiàng)）有3種：
1. 概括范圍太窄，只表達(dá)局部信息或某一細(xì)節(jié)，不能概括整篇文章的主旨大意。
2. 概括范圍太寬，所表達(dá)的內(nèi)容超出或多于文章闡述的內(nèi)容。
3. 無(wú)關(guān)信息：即文章中未提到、或找不到語(yǔ)言依據(jù)的信息。
Example one
Coffee is a universal beverage that is served in different ways around the world. In London, for example, some Englishmen dip mustard into their coffee, while in Denver, a Person might add a dash of ketchup. Strips of orange and lemon Peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks are not unusual additions to the brew in Europe. An Asian delight consists of coffee brewed in boiling sugar. perhaps the richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland where whiskey and whipped cream are important ingredients. In Australia a waitress will ask, "Do you want black or white?" Black is plain black coffee, but white is half coffee and half warm milk. If an Australian orders iced coffee, he will be served a cup of steaming coffee with a scoop of ice cream. It sounds like the Australian version of a "snowball in hell."
1. Which statement best expresses the main idea?
a. The richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland.
b. Asians enjoy a sweet cup of coffee.
c. Coffee is enjoyed in a variety of ways.
d. Australians have an unusual sense of humor.
2. The paragraph could be entitled
a. Some Like It Hot. b. Coffee Around the World.
c. Oriental Delights. d. A Snowball in Hell.
答案說(shuō)明
l．第一個(gè)問(wèn)題的正確答案是c，coffee is enjoyed in variety of ways.（咖啡可以以多種方式享用）這句話說(shuō)明了這段文章的主題。它基本上是本段開(kāi)頭一句的翻版，它概括了本段其它句子所陳述的事實(shí)。
答案a，和b都是錯(cuò)誤的，原因在于： 答案a和b所述內(nèi)容是細(xì)節(jié)而非主題，同主題句相比？它們的范圍顯得狹隘了些。它們的重要性不及主題句。 答案d是說(shuō)澳大利亞人具有與眾不同的幽默感；雖然本段文章某些地方可能表明澳大利亞人具有幽默感，但是答案d所指的仍是細(xì)節(jié)而不是主題。
2．第二個(gè)問(wèn)題的正確答案是b：Coffee Around the World·（遍及全球的咖啡。文章的主題句說(shuō)明咖啡是一種全球性飲料，文中的論證性句子又評(píng)述了若干國(guó)家的不同吃法。
答案a，c，d都是錯(cuò)誤的，原因是： 答案a，c, d都分別說(shuō)明了本段文章的部分內(nèi)容，與答案b相比，都欠全面。
本段文章的結(jié)構(gòu)是主題句位于段落的開(kāi)頭；作者一開(kāi)始就提出論點(diǎn)，其余的句子是對(duì)這一論點(diǎn)的論證與解釋說(shuō)明。與此相對(duì)應(yīng)的句子顯然是第一句：Coffee is a universal beverage that；served in different ways around the world．
需要特別指出的是，標(biāo)題型題雖然與主題句密切相關(guān)，但它們又有區(qū)別，找到了主題句不一定能找對(duì)標(biāo)題。因?yàn)闃?biāo)題常常隱含于主題句之中，主題句只能使考生在確定標(biāo)題的時(shí)候有所啟發(fā)，考生只能根據(jù)主題句進(jìn)行再抽象，然后找到標(biāo)題。主題句在詞法和句法上是一整句，而標(biāo)題在結(jié)構(gòu)上往往是單詞或短語(yǔ)。主題句對(duì)整篇起到統(tǒng)帥作用，而標(biāo)題是整篇表現(xiàn)的對(duì)象。主題句語(yǔ)義明確，而標(biāo)題則內(nèi)含較深。
Example two
When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level. In low visibility situations, however, the eye and other orientation senses, such as our sense of balance, are not only useless, they may be totally misleading. The only safe way to fly an airplane in low visibility conditions is to use instruments, which indicate the attitude of the airplane.
A. In bad weather, the senses can be misleading
B. Flying an airplane can be very difficult
C. When visibility is low the only safe way to fly an airplane is by using flight instruments.
D. When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level.
四項(xiàng)選擇中成項(xiàng)和d項(xiàng)內(nèi)容太具體，不能概括段落的主旨思想。b項(xiàng)內(nèi)容又太籠統(tǒng)，超出了作者的原意。只有C項(xiàng)才準(zhǔn)確地概括出段落的主旨思想。
總之，識(shí)別和理解主題句，可迅速準(zhǔn)確地抓住短文的中心思想，從而把握住全篇的主要內(nèi)容。在確定文章的主旨思想時(shí)，選項(xiàng)的內(nèi)容既不能太具體也不能太籠統(tǒng)。在選擇和確定主旨思想時(shí)，題中給出的四個(gè)選擇項(xiàng)往往都是事實(shí)，要求考生從中選出最能概括文章主旨思想的一項(xiàng)作為正確答案。在這方面考生容易犯以下兩種錯(cuò)誤：一種是把主題的一部分看成是文章的"主旨思想"，這樣選擇的"主旨思想"太具體，不能準(zhǔn)確地概括出整個(gè)文章或段落的主旨思想。另一種是在表達(dá)作者的主旨思想時(shí)，詞語(yǔ)概括的范圍太大，太籠統(tǒng)，超出了作者的本意。