Exercises, Unit 9

 

Online Tests: Online test aims to train your speed-reading skill. During the test, you will be given limited time to finish reading the text and answer the questions. The test page is presented with two separate windows on the same webpage. One window shows the reading text and the other shows the questions of the test. First complete the login system then click "Start reading." Thus the timer will start working. Browse the questions first and then refer to the article, finally submit your answers. You will get immediate feedback from the answer(s) you submit. A smile face will appear if the answer is correct and a cross sign will appear if the answer is incorrect in the answer box. For each question, you will need to click select the correct answer before you go on to next questions. Only all correct answers are selected, will you get the score from a window that pops up. If the window doesn't show, you have not finished the test yet. As a result your score will not be reported to your teacher. For each question, you will get full score if you get the correct answer in the first trial. You will get second highest score if you get the correct answer in the second trial. You will get lower score by having more wrong answers. Of course, you will not get any points by submitting wrong answers repeatedly for the same question. [] Please study the tips below to help you perform a perfect job. [] Read the questions first. Previewing the questions prior to reading the articles enables you to acquire a focus on what to read for.  Also, answers to short-answer questions are usually key words or phrases that take you more time in writing or typing up.  If you spend much time on reading without a direction, you might fail to complete doing all of the exercises in time. [] Use headings to help you find answers. The headings and subheadings highlight the key points of the essay and therefore can help you find answers to the questions which usually focus on the comprehension of major points. [] Pay attention to numbers, dates, names, and words in special font style. Short-answer questions are sometimes scanning questions in nature.  That is, you are required to scan for special elements such as numbers, dates, names, and lists of items.  Also, pay attention to words that are italicized, bold-faced, and colored because they usually point to answers of scanning questions. []   Locate in the text the word that requires a definition and then study the group of words near the new word. This tip is useful when you are answering a question that requires you to look for the context meaning of a word.  Do not intimidated by this type of questions because you do not have to generate a definition on your own.  Simply study the group of words before or after the new word and then you can find the answer.  Moreover, make good use of the synonym clues, especially the set of commas, to find the answer. [] Look for answers by following the development of the article. Since short-answer questions in this unit aim at testing your skimming and scanning skills, the sequence of questions is arranged on the basis of the development of the essay.  That is, the first questions usually test your comprehension of the beginning paragraphs, while the final questions check your understanding of the concluding paragraphs. You, therefore, do not have to skip among paragraphs to look for the answers. []

Crossword Puzzles:                 The crossword puzzles are designed to help you review the vocabulary you learn from the fact-sheet reading articles. There are two formats for this exercise -- versions in Word format and in html format. Please try to fill in all the blocks according to the clues. You can check  whether your answers are correct or not in the html version by first filling words in the blanks  and then click the "check" button. To access to the onlne interactive crossword puzzles, please click here. []