如何讀懂托福閱讀中的信號？

　　托福閱讀考查的是同學們提取信息和篩選信息的能力。托福閱讀的難度較大，而且近幾年的托福閱讀有難度增大的趨勢。怎么辦?托福閱讀中的信號詞或許可以幫上一些忙。

　　托福閱讀中的信號詞通常有：

　　1.顯示相同信息的信號詞

　　There has been an upsurge of interest in chamber music. Likewise opera is receiving a boost from increased record sales.

　　“l(fā)ikewise”這一信號詞顯示了前面所提到的idea后面還要再一次出現(xiàn)。因此，閱讀時見到這樣的信號詞無須放慢閱讀速度。這樣的信號詞還包括：and, furthermore, more, than, that, also, likewise, moreover, in addition, what is more, for instance, for example

　　2.顯示思路轉(zhuǎn)折的信號詞

　　I'd like to go but I'm too busy.

　　“but”前后是完全不同的信息描述，它向讀者顯示了作者的思路在這里有了轉(zhuǎn)折。閱讀時，碰到這樣的信號詞我們需放慢閱讀速度，以準確獲取作者真正想要說明的意思。這類信號詞還有：

　　although, however, on the contrary, but, in spite of, otherwise, despite, nevertheless, yet

　　3.顯示因果關(guān)系的信號詞

　　As a result of the pilots\'strike, all flights have had to be cancelled.

　　All flights have had to be cancelled as a result of the pilots\'strike.

　　所有航班被取消的原因是因為飛行員們的罷工;飛行員們的罷工導致了所有的航班不得不被取消。顯示因果關(guān)系的信號詞還有：for, thus, because, for this reason, so, therefore, as, since, consequently

　　4.顯示順序的信號詞

　　Internet speeds communication between companies, among co-workers through video-conferences, and among other individuals. First, media companies use the Internet for online news, or to broadcast audio and video, including live radio and television programs, while individuals use the Internet for communication, entertainment, finding information, buying and selling goods and services. Second,the notion of distance disappears thanks to the Internet. People also enjoy instant messaging to exchange text messages or pictures in real time, with real-time video and sound. Finally, scientists and scholars use the Internet to perform research, distribute lecture notes or course materials to students, they communicate with colleagues, and can also publish papers and articles.

　　抓住了這樣的信號詞就把握住了作者敘述的順序，也就分清了相對獨立的論據(jù)。這樣的信號詞包括：

　　first, second, third, and so on, then, after, before, next, last, afterward, finally

　　5.表示結(jié)論/總結(jié)的信號詞

　　In conclusion, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed myself today.

　　詞組“in conclusion”前面所提到的一些信息將在這里被歸納總結(jié)。讀到帶有這樣的信號詞或短語的句子時，應格外留心注意，它們往往會向我們提示相關(guān)段落的核心信息。表示結(jié)論或總結(jié)的信號詞和短語還有：

　　as a result, finally, therefore, accordingly, in short, thus, consequently, in conclusion, so, in brief, in a word

　　托福閱讀不是一個詞一個詞的分裂開來，而是要將句子與句子連接起來，所以這些托福閱讀中的信號詞的作用就顯得特別的重要。