主旨题在考试中出现的频率较高，因为这类题可考查考生抓主要信息的能力，而能够抓住文章的主要信息又是阅读能力的一个极为重要的方面。这类题在设题时常会用到title, subject, main idea, topic, theme 等词。常见的提问形式有以下几种：

What is the main idea of the passage?

Which of the following would be the best title?

What‘s the best title for the passage?

The main idea of the passage is that _____.

This passage tells us _____.

Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?

What does the passage mainly discuss?

做这类题时常用略读法，把注意力放在抓主要信息上，不去过分注意细节事实，否则会造成“只见树木，不见森林”的结果。

通常的办法是，快速阅读文章时注意找出各段主题句。英文文章各段主题句常放在段首，有时也放在段尾或段落中间，有时不明确写出，通读文章后把各段主题句联系起来，一般就能得出文章主题。

就整篇文章来讲，首段和尾段一般对于解这类题更为重要。

Passage A

In ancient times the most important examinations were spoken, not written. In the schools of ancient Greece and Rome, testing usually consisted of saying poetry aloud or giving speeches.

In the European universities of the Middle Ages, students who were working for advanced degrees had to discuss questions in their field of study with people who had made a special study of the subject. This custom exists today as part of the process of testing candidates for the doctor's degree.

Generally, however, modern examinations are written. The written examination, where all students are tested on the same question, was probably not known until the nineteenth century. Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population and the development of modern industry. A room full of candidates for a state examination, timed exactly by electric clocks and carefully watched over by managers, resembles a group of workers at an automobile factory. Generally, during examinations teachers and students are expected to act like machines.

One type of test is sometimes called an “objective” test. It is intended to deal with facts, not personal opinions. To make up an objective test the teacher writes a series of questions, each of which has only one correct answer. Along with each question the teacher writes the correct answer and also three statements that look like correct answers to students who have not learned the material properly.

2. The main idea of paragraph 3 is that_________.

A. workers now take examination

B. the population has grown

C. there are only written exams

D. examinations are now written and timed

【答案】D 第三段一开始就谈到“一般来讲，现在的考试都是笔试；”随后又谈到“所有的考生在一个房间，规定时间，有监考老师。”所以D 是正确答案。

Passage B

After a busy day of work and play, the body needs to rest. Sleep is necessary for good health. During this time, the body recovers from the activities of the previous day. The rest that you get while sleeping enables your body to prepare itself for the next day. There are four levels of sleep, each being a little deeper than the one before. As you sleep, your muscles relax little by little. Your heart beats more slowly, and your brain slows down. After you reach the fourth level,your body shifts back and forth from one level of sleep to the other. Although your mind slows down, from time to time you will dream. Scientists who study sleep state that when dreaming occurs, your eyeballs begin to move more quickly （although your eyelids are closed）. This stage of sleep is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement.

If you have trouble falling asleep, some people recommend breathing very slowly and very deeply. Other people believed that drinking warm milk will help make you drowsy. There is also an old suggestion that counting sheep will put you to sleep!

1. A good title for this passage is_____.

A. Sleep B. Good Health C. Dreams D Work and Rest

【答案】A 主旨题。段的主题句是Sleep is necessary for good health。接下来第二段描述了睡眠的四个阶段；第三段说的是睡眠中的快速动眼阶段；后一段告诉你失眠了该怎么办。本文的四段全与Sleep 有关，因此答案为A。