If you wish to become a better reader, here are four important points to remember about rate, or speed, of reading:

1. Knowing why you are reading—what you are reading to find out—will often help you to know whether to read rapidly or slowly.

2. Some things should be read slowly throughout. Examples are directions for making or doing something, arithmetic problems, science and history books, which are full of important information. You must read such things slowly to remember each important step and understand each important idea.

3. Some things should be read rapidly throughout. Examples are simple stories meant for enjoyment, news, letters from friends, items, or bits of news from local, or hometown, paper, telling what is happening to friends and neighbours.

4. In some of your readings, you must change your speed from fast to slow to fast, as you go along. You need to read certain pages rapidly and then slow down and do more careful readings when you come to important ideas which must be remembered.

1. According to the passage, your reading speed depends on ________.

A. whether the reading material is easy or difficult

B. what you are reading

C. what your purpose in reading something is

D. both B and C　

2. If one wants to be relaxed by reading, one should take up ________.

A. a story book

B. a book on science and technology

C. news, letters from friends

D. some material full of information　

3. Which of the following readings should you read slowly and carefully?

A. Fairy tales.

B. Aesop’s Fables.

C. Directions for use of a machine

D. An evening paper.　

4. Which of the following can best express the main idea of the passage?

A. How to decide your reading speed.

B. How to raise your reading speed.

C. How to improve your reading skills.

D. How to choose your reading materials.

Keys: 1. D 2. A 3. C 4. A