Why They Excel?Ⅰ.Reading Strategy: Predicting Content From the Topic Sentence
More often than not,one sentence in a paragraph tells the reader exactly what the subject of the paragraph is and thus gives the main idea.This main idea sentence is called a topic sentence or topic statement.The rest of the paragraph then explains or expands on the idea of the topic sentence.The topic sentence may appear at the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of a paragraph.
Predicting content from the topic sentence is one of the most important reading skills.It helps you to keep the writer s main ideas in front of your mind.This skill is also helpful when skimming a text,or when outlining for further review.
Ⅱ.Applying the Reading Strategy
In this part,you are required to use the reading strategy you have justlearned.Read the following paragraphs and answer the questions after them.
More and more college students are choosing to major in business related degree programs because of the uncertain state of the economy.Students today start college with their eyes focused on job opportunities after they graduate.
College is no longer only a place to learn about literature, philosophy, or history.These areas are still important, but more important is the need to increase the college graduate s chances for a job.This need seems to be met best,according to the new business majors, by choosing a degree program which prepares them for a specific career.
Which is the topic sentence of the paragraph?A.College is no longer only a place to learn about literature, philosophy, or history.
B.Students today start college with their eyes focused on job opportunities after they graduate.
C.These areas are still important, but more important is the need to increase the college graduate s chances for a job.
D.More and more college students are choosing to major in business related degree programs because of the uncertain state of the economy.
ust 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.
Find out which is the topic sentence of the paragraph.
A.Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.
B.Just as I settle down to read or watch television, he demands that I play with him.
C.Then,when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.
D.Usually he wants half of whatever I have to eat.
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 100 years old,and their number is increasing each year.Dr.Jams 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.
Identify which of the following is the topic sentence of the paragraph.
A.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.
B.Future generations can expect a life span of 150 years.
C.There are more than 12,000 Americans over 100 years old, and the number is increasing each year.
D.A person s period of growth lasts about 25 years.
Ⅲ.Reading Tasks
A.Pre-reading activity
Nowadays, many young adults make their decisions to go abroad for further study.As a matter of fact,it s both an exciting and challenging experience.
Particularly, the abrupt transition from one culture to another culture often leads to a reaction called culture shock.
What are some of the cultural changes that must be made ? What is culture shock ? How can culture shock be overcome ?Think about these questions before reading the text.
B.Reading
Study AbroadUntil a relatively short time ago, traveling abroad was limited to well-to-do tourists and hasten business people.Flying abroad was atypical for the average person.In time, however, plane travel became safer,more convenient,and less expensive.As a result, people of diverse backgrounds now fly to distant places for pleasure, business, or education.Very often government officials and business representatives fly to one country for a breakfast or lunch conference, then fly to another country for a dinner meeting.
With the world becoming smaller, many young adults make the decision to study in foreign universities.In fact, the United States is host to thousands of foreign students.It is an exciting, challenging experience to live in a foreign country.Anyone who can study abroad is fortunate; but, of course, it is not easy to make the transition from one culture to another.One faces many hurdles.
The student leaves behind a familiar, comfortable, loving environment.
Back home, he has his family, friends, and acquaintances.He knows the language, politics, currency, food,social customs, and so forth.He has internalized all the intangible aspects of his native culture, such as body language, bargaining practices, and efforts to minimize waste via recycling,etc.In short,he knows“the system”. Then one day he leaves all this behind and suddenly finds himself in a place where everyone and everything is strange,perhaps even perplexing.All this strangeness is a major jolt to a person s self-assurance.This abrupt change often leads to a reaction called culture shock.
