Page 17 - ACADEMIC REDING

When coming to an unfamiliar word, a reader needs to understand the

content – stop and reread the sentence containing the word. Search for hints in
the sentences before and after the word. When locating a context clue, readers
have to substitute their guess for the word’s meaning in place of the clue to see if

it makes sense. If it does, they can continue reading. Writers provide a word

with the same or nearly the same meaning as the word in question. They may
also give antonyms, words that mean the opposite of the unfamiliar word.
To find the synonym of the word changing, read the sentences in paragraph

2. Guess which word has the closest meaning to change. Further, investigate the

correlation between the phrase long-term behavior patterns and new patterns. It
can be concluded that the synonym of changing is altering.

Meanwhile, to discover the synonym of declare, check paragraph 3. See
that the synonym is asserted. Further, the synonym of the word take place is

occurred.

b) Understanding relations within the sentence

Inability to get an immediate grasp of sentence structures may
discourage readers when they face a new text. To read efficiently and not

to stumble on every word, it is important for readers to grasp the structure
of the sentences they read at once. They should look first for the ‘core’ of

sentences (subject + verb) and the important elements of each sentence
in a passage.

The sentences are from Time Magazine. Read and answer the questions
that follow.
1) Mostly because of inflation, but also because taxes have been creeping

upward, the actual buying power that people have been getting from the
money in their paychecks has declined by nearly 4% over the past twelve

months.
Match subjects and verbs.

taxes has declined
buying power have been creeping upward

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