2007

Author: Hu Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The importance of English reading in the postgraduate entrance exam is undeniable, as it accounts for a significant portion of the total score. So, how can one achieve the best results in reviewing the reading section? To achieve ideal scores in the reading section of the postgraduate entrance exam, it is essential to first clarify the various skills it requires: vocabulary recognition, comprehension of complex sentences, structural analysis, and question-type analysis. Many candidates focus only on cultivating these skills, yet the results are often unsatisfactory. How can one develop all four skills simultaneously and excel in the postgraduate entrance exam? Practice has proven that thoroughly studying past reading passages from the postgraduate entrance exam is the most effective approach. This "thorough study" means making comprehensive breakthroughs in reading passages, not only memorizing vocabulary and analyzing complex sentences to improve language proficiency but also deciphering the thinking behind various question types to ensure a permanent advantage. This book serves as a reference guide, analyzing reading passages to help candidates quickly and comprehensively improve their English reading skills and exam-taking abilities. Past reading passages are the best study materials because they are the most authoritative and best reflect future question-setting trends. By fully understanding and digesting all content in past reading passages, candidates can achieve the ability to generalize from specific examples. Of course, this does not mean that all out-of-class reading materials are useless. In fact, reading some out-of-class materials is beneficial. For choosing out-of-class reading materials, you can refer to the second part of this book. In addition to other sections, each unit in the third part is divided into three parts:
1. Reading Passage: For the earlier years' passages, there is no need to time yourself; but for later passages, you can complete them within the specified time, such as 15 minutes per passage, to practice your speed. However, when taking the reading section of the postgraduate entrance exam, emphasis should be placed on understanding the original text rather than pursuing excessive speed, as accuracy is the most important, and there is usually ample time during the exam. Of course, some students may need to improve their speed. For these students, in addition to developing proper reading habits, such as skimming to find the main idea and scanning to find details, they should also learn to identify important information while reading, such as paying attention to high-frequency words or phrases, judging the main idea of paragraphs, and summarizing the central theme of the passage.
2. Passage Analysis: This section includes the following content:
1. Passage Structure and Content: Each passage is categorized structurally, helping candidates grasp the overall structure from a macro perspective and quickly identify the main theme. Additionally, a summary of each passage's content is provided.
2. Core Vocabulary: This section annotates important vocabulary, phrases, and usage in the reading passage. For key vocabulary, some derivatives, synonyms, and memory tips are provided, which should be memorized together. If you can remember all the important vocabulary in the original passage, you will have mastered most of the postgraduate entrance exam vocabulary. Readers will also find that some words are out of the syllabus, but if they are frequently used, they should still be memorized.
3. Complex Sentence Analysis: The author selects sentences from the reading passage that are structurally and semantically challenging and provides detailed, practical structural analysis, followed by a reference translation. Mastering this section greatly helps in strengthening complex sentence analysis skills and improving translation proficiency.
3. Question Explanations: The author provides detailed answers to all questions and offers many helpful tips on reading strategies and problem-solving approaches.
Confucius said, "Learning without thought is lost; thought without learning is perilous" (Analects·Government). If we imitate Confucius's words, we could say, "Teaching without learning is lost; learning without teaching is perilous." For many years, the author has been engaged in English reading teaching and research. Although he has read extensively from the works of ancient sages and Western scholars and has a basic understanding of several foreign languages, he still feels the danger of "teaching without learning." Therefore, he traveled to Britain and secluded himself in Cambridge, hoping to advance academically. During this time, he received many letters from students praising this book, for which he apologizes for not being able to reply to each one individually, but he will use this as motivation to improve further. Accordingly, the author has corrected any shortcomings in the book, hoping to provide greater assistance to candidates.
The postgraduate entrance exam is arduous, but with the right approach, it can be highly effective. In the end, let me share the last three stanzas of "A Psalm of Life" by the American poet Longfellow with all the candidates, hoping to inspire and encourage you. Wishing you all success in your endeavors.