在阅读中，考生能否看懂文章，一个重要的衡量标准就是测试考生是否理解了整篇文章的主旨大意，是否具有把握主题思想的能力。每篇短文都有主题思想，但作者表现主题的手法各不相同。在职称考试中，考文章主旨大意的考题主要有以下三种：
1．Main Idea类型： 选项形式为陈述句。要求考生选择表达作者思想、观点的句子。
典型问题形式：
What is the main idea/point of this passage？
The main idea of this article is ______.
This passage is mainly about ______.
The central point of the selection is_______.
The major point discussed in the passage is _____.
The aim of the writer is to show that._______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The main idea of the passage may be best expressed as_____.
2．Main Topic类型： 选项形式为名词或名词词组。要求考生指出文章的Topic（论题）或 Subject（主题），或 Title（标题）等。典型问题形式：
What is the main topic of this passage？
The passage is chiefly concerned with _______.
What is the main subject of the passage?
The best title for this passage might be _____.
What topic is treated in this passage?
The main idea of this selection may be best expressed as______.
Which of the following best states the theme of the passage?
The title best expresses the idea of the passage is_____.
The passage can be entitled _________.
3．Purpose类型： 选项形式多为动宾结构。要求考生找到主要的写作目的。
典型问题形式：
What is the author's main purpose in the passage?
The author's purpose of writing this passage is to _____.
要正确理解一篇文章，关键是要抓住文章的主题思想。阅读中如何才能抓住文章的主旨大意呢？通常有两种方法：
1. 找出主题句。一般来讲，文章或段落的主题句在文章或段落的开头或结尾。
2. 找出主题词。如果文章或段落中找不到主题句，考生就要找出主题词或关键词，然后根据对文章的理解自己归纳概括出文章的中心思想。
（一）、找主题句
任何一篇文章都有一个主题思想。在大多数情况下，这一主题思想是通过文章中某一个句子加以概括的，这样的句子叫主题句。主题句是在段落中最能概括说明段落中心思想的句子。我们在阅读中要想抓住文章或段落的中心思想，最简洁而且行之有效的方法就是找到主题句。
据估计，英语中有60%——90%的说明文和科技文献都有主题句，其中50%的主题句在段首，30%的主题句在段尾，15%的主题句在段落中间。因此，.如果文章只有一段，看懂文章的开头两句是极为重要的。如果文章有几段，则每一段的第一句都要仔细地读，尤其是最长的一段更要注意它的主要内容。边阅读边在主题段或主题句或重要的词句下面划线，读完全文后再回过头来重读划线部分，然后就会得出作者的主要意图。
主题句通常位于段落的开头。这是因为以主题句开头的段落对作者来说最容易突出中心思想，对读者来说最容易把握作者的思路。但也有一些段落，其主题句不是位于段首而是在段落的中间或最后。
（1）主题句在段首。
一个主题句常常是一个段落的开头，其后的句子则是论证性细节。例如，你外出旅行，回到家一进门你就说："这次旅行真倒霉".这句话就可视为一个主题句，它是你接下来将要说的整段话的主要意思所在。在这第一句之后你会说出许多细节来说明你这次旅行为什么倒霉。在论说文，科技文献和新闻报道中多采用这种格式。
有些段落，在主题句后面有明显的引出细节的信号词。常见的信号词有for example，an example of，the most important example of；first，second，next，last，finally；to begin with，also，besides that；one ； the other，some，others，等等。在阅读中应尽量利用上述信号词来确定主题句的位置。
例如：
People have different tastes in food. Some feel that they haven't eaten a meal unless they have had steak or other red meat. Some prefer chicken or fish and eat one or the other at every meal. Others prefer vegetables and fruits or grains and would enjoy a meal of spaghetti, eggplant, and fresh fruit. Others could live on what were called fast——foods: a hamburger or hot dog, French fries and a soft drink.
Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?
A. Some people like steak and others red meat.
B. Vegetables are very healthy for you.
C. How food is prepared has a lot to do with how well a person may like it.
D. Different people have different tastes in food.
这段文章的第一句就是主题句，确切地表明了本段的中心思想。因此D为正确答案。
请阅读下列短文并找出主题句
Africa——The fight against starvation in six West African nations is being hampered by the rainy
season. Heavy rains are turning the dirt roads into muddy rivers. Relief will have to wait for a dry spell which seems nowhere in sight. The weather bureau is maintaining silence for fear of causing increased alarm.
London's weather is strange. It can rain several times a day; each time the rain may come suddenly after the sun is shining brightly. The air is damp and chill right through July. On one March afternoon Hampton Heath last year, it rained three times, there was one hailstorm, and the sun shone brilliantly—— all this within two hours' time. It is not unusual to see men and women rushing down the street on a sunny morning with umbrellas on their arms. No one knows what the next few moments will bring.
Surviving in the jungle is a science. The jungle people have become perfect in this science, and you can too. Learn as much as you can about what to expect in the jungle. Make sure you have the jungle. Make sure you have the right equipment. Then no part of the jungle will seem completely unfriendly or frightening. In fact you will be able to "live off" it for a long time.
Perhaps more than any other people Americans have come to depend on their cars. The family car has been a common thing since early 20th century, and it has changed American life. Many people have moved outside of the large cities to the suburbs Some Americans spend two hours a day or more in their cars going to work and home again. Cars have become the means of transportation for most Americans.
很显然，上面四篇短文的第一句都是主题句。
（2）主题句在段尾。
虽然英语段落的主体旬在大多数情况下都置于段落之首，但也有时出现在段落之末。因此，如果第一句话不是概括性的或综合性的话，最好快速读一读段落的最后一个句子，看看它是否具备主题句的特征：如果它具备主题句的特征，短文的主题思想就很容易确定了。
一般说来，当一种观点不易向人解释清楚，或不易被人接受时，主题句便会到段落的末尾才出现。当作者想要说服读者听信其言时，一般采用此格式组织句子。通常似乎有这样一种倾向：人们只对自己了解的新思想新观点才考虑接受它。换句话说，只有在听了对某一新思想新观点的细节解释说明之后，人们才可能接受它。有些文章以列举事实依据开头，通过论证，最后讲出作者自己所阐述的核心论点。
在做阅读理解试题时，要充分利用引出结论的信号词，如clearly，plainly；so，therefore，thus，consequently；In conclusion，in short等来确定主题句的位置在段尾。当无明显的此类信号同时，可添加一个引出结论的信号词以确定主题句是否是段落的最后一句话。
例如：
Americans might be embarrassed because their Japanese friends are so formal with them. Japanese might feel insulted because American acquaintances greet them casually. Still, the forms of greeting in both countries only show respect for others. It just happens that Americans and Japanese have a different way of looking at human relationships and thus have a different way of showing respect.
This passage mainly tells us_________.
A. how Americans show respect to others
B. how Japanese show respect to their American acquaintances
C. Americans and Japanese have different ways of showing respect
D. Japanese are not satisfied with American casual behavior
这一篇短文前几句只讲述了具体情况，均不具备主题句的特征，只有最后一句话是概括性的、总结性的，因此本段的最后一句是主题句，故正确答案是D.
请阅读下列短文并找出主题句
Since plants give off this valuable gas, they are doing other living things a great service, because, since all living things have to breathe, there could easily be a short-age of oxygen in the atmosphere. Green plants, in this way; help to maintain the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
If the wind becomes gusty after a Period of calm, you should seek shelter. The sky needs careful watching, too. Gradual darkening and "boiling" clouds should quicken your pace. Lightning and thunder are common enough storm indicators but few People realize that the brightness of the lightning is not nearly as important as the number of lightning flashes. The signs of an oncoming storm are many, and a person's life may depend on his ability to interpret them.
Doctors are of the opinion that most people cannot live beyond 100 years, but a growing number of scientists believe that the aging process can be controlled. There are more than 12 000 Americans over l00 years old, and their numbers are increasing each year. Dr. James Langley of Chicago claims that, theoretically and under ideal conditions，animals，Including man，can live six times longer than their normal period of growth．A person's period of growth lasts about 25 years. If Dr．Langley's theory is accurate, future generations can expect a life span of 150 years.．
上面三篇短文的最后一句都是主题句。
有时侯，主题句会在段落的开头和结尾两个位置上先后出现，形成前呼后应的格局。两个主题句表明同一内容，但表达的作用不尽相同，不但强调了中心思想，而且显得更灵活多变。这两个句子并非简单的重复，后一个主题句或者对前一个主题句作强调，或对前一主题句点出的中心思想再作评点，或归纳前一主题句要点之后再行概括，或把前一主题句提出的问题加以引申让读者去思考。总之，前后的句子颇有逻辑上的联系，使中心思想表达的更严整。
Another American, Henry Ford, developed the idea of assembly line. Before Ford introduced the assembly line, each car was built by hand. Such a process was, of course, very slow. As a result, automobiles were so expensive that only rich people could afford them. Ford proposed a system in which each worker would have a special job to do. One person, for example, would make only a portion of the wheels. Another would insert the bolts that held the wheels to the car. Each worker needed to learn only one or two routine tasks.
（3）主题句在段中。
有时段落是先介绍背景和细节，接着用一句综合或概括性的话概括前面所说的内容或事例，然后再围绕主题展开对有关问题的深入讨论。这种文章的主题句往往会在段落中间出现，但不是就在正中间。
例如：
In spite of the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American market, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler are employing more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet General Motors has its huge American work force and employs hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The foreign cars have not taken away the jobs of American autoworkers.
B. General Motors is one of the largest car producers.
C. Ford operates not only in the USA, but also in Asia.
D. The flood of cheaper foreign cars is terrible for American autoworkers.
上面这段话的主题句位于本段的中间：The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts expected. 据此，此题的正确答案应为 A.
请阅读下列短文并找出主题句
No. 1
Despite the fact that cars from Germany and Japan are flooding the American Market. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are hiring more workers than ever before. The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted. Ford operates as far as Asia, and General Motors is considered Australia's biggest employer. Yet GM has its huge American work force and hires hundreds of people every day to meet the needs of an insatiable society.
No.2
What does the doctor need to know about his patient? In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments. This is the medical history, and although informal and brief, it is the first step at arriving at a diagnosis. The sooner a correct diagnosis, the quicker he can get effective therapy
No.3
Just as I settle down to read or watch television, he demands that I play with him. If I get a telephone call, he screams in the background or knocks something over. I always have to hang up to find out what's wrong with him. Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun. He refuses. to let me eat a snack in peace. Usually he wants half of whatever I have to eat. Then, when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.
Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun
上面三篇文章的主题句分别为：
No.1 The flood of cheaper foreign cars has not cost American autoworkers their jobs as some experts predicted.
No2 In the initial interview the doctor needs to know as much as possible about him, as it relates to his ailments.
No3 Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.
（二）找主题词
有时段落中没有明显的主题句。作者用一种间接的方式表达了段落的中心思想。这时我们不能轻而易举地判断出主旨或主题这样，主题句是含蓄的，它隐含在短文或段落之中，需要考生从段落中寻找主题词或词组。然后用这些主题词或词组概括和归纳出段落的中心思想。
Bats are the only animals that truly fly. These animals use their leathery wings differently from birds. Birds flap their wings up and down, while bats use both their wings and legs, which makes them seem as if they are swimming through the air. Even though bats take much longer, stronger strokes than birds, they still can beat their wings as often as twenty times per second!
此段落的主题词是 bats, birds , different , fly
归纳出段落的中心思想是：Bats are different from birds in flying.
Some people like to go to beach or a lake for recreation. They enjoy the swimming or boating that is available there. Other people, especially in the hot summer, prefer clean air and cool mountain breezes. Some people like excitement and entertainment. They got to shows and nightclubs. Still other people find that staying home with the family and enjoying the togetherness of spending time with loved ones is the most pleasurable experience of all.
Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
A. People enjoy different kinds of recreation.
B. Some people like staying at home with their families.
C. Some people love swimming and boating.
D. Some people are richer than others.
短文中没有主题句，通过仔细阅读全文，从例证关系来分析，本文的主题思想应归纳为：
People enjoy different kinds of recreation. 因此，A为正确答案。
Joshua Bingham studied four years at the University of Paris and decided to leave before his graduation. He transferred to the University of Berlin and graduated with honors. Harvard Law School and, later, Boston College provided him with an excellent legal background. He is presently a corporation lawyer in Miami, Florida.
由于这里没有一个句子可以单独陈述段落的主题，读这种结构的段落找出其主题就不那么容易必须把每个句子所陈述的意思认真理解之后才能确定主题是什么。
此段落的主题词是 study at the university, graduate with honors
上面这个段落的主题应该是 Joshua Bingham received an excellent education.（ Joshua Bingham受过良好的教育）
主旨大意题的干扰项（错误选项）有3种：
1. 概括范围太窄，只表达局部信息或某一细节，不能概括整篇文章的主旨大意。
2. 概括范围太宽，所表达的内容超出或多于文章阐述的内容。
3. 无关信息：即文章中未提到、或找不到语言依据的信息。
Example one
Coffee is a universal beverage that is served in different ways around the world. In London, for example, some Englishmen dip mustard into their coffee, while in Denver, a Person might add a dash of ketchup. Strips of orange and lemon Peel, cloves and cinnamon sticks are not unusual additions to the brew in Europe. An Asian delight consists of coffee brewed in boiling sugar. perhaps the richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland where whiskey and whipped cream are important ingredients. In Australia a waitress will ask, "Do you want black or white?" Black is plain black coffee, but white is half coffee and half warm milk. If an Australian orders iced coffee, he will be served a cup of steaming coffee with a scoop of ice cream. It sounds like the Australian version of a "snowball in hell."
1. Which statement best expresses the main idea?
a. The richest cup of coffee can be enjoyed in Ireland.
b. Asians enjoy a sweet cup of coffee.
c. Coffee is enjoyed in a variety of ways.
d. Australians have an unusual sense of humor.
2. The paragraph could be entitled
a. Some Like It Hot. b. Coffee Around the World.
c. Oriental Delights. d. A Snowball in Hell.
答案说明
l．第一个问题的正确答案是c，coffee is enjoyed in variety of ways.（咖啡可以以多种方式享用）这句话说明了这段文章的主题。它基本上是本段开头一句的翻版，它概括了本段其它句子所陈述的事实。
答案a，和b都是错误的，原因在于： 答案a和b所述内容是细节而非主题，同主题句相比？它们的范围显得狭隘了些。它们的重要性不及主题句。 答案d是说澳大利亚人具有与众不同的幽默感；虽然本段文章某些地方可能表明澳大利亚人具有幽默感，但是答案d所指的仍是细节而不是主题。
2．第二个问题的正确答案是b：Coffee Around the World·（遍及全球的咖啡。文章的主题句说明咖啡是一种全球性饮料，文中的论证性句子又评述了若干国家的不同吃法。
答案a，c，d都是错误的，原因是： 答案a，c, d都分别说明了本段文章的部分内容，与答案b相比，都欠全面。
本段文章的结构是主题句位于段落的开头；作者一开始就提出论点，其余的句子是对这一论点的论证与解释说明。与此相对应的句子显然是第一句：Coffee is a universal beverage that；served in different ways around the world．
需要特别指出的是，标题型题虽然与主题句密切相关，但它们又有区别，找到了主题句不一定能找对标题。因为标题常常隐含于主题句之中，主题句只能使考生在确定标题的时候有所启发，考生只能根据主题句进行再抽象，然后找到标题。主题句在词法和句法上是一整句，而标题在结构上往往是单词或短语。主题句对整篇起到统帅作用，而标题是整篇表现的对象。主题句语义明确，而标题则内含较深。
Example two
When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level. In low visibility situations, however, the eye and other orientation senses, such as our sense of balance, are not only useless, they may be totally misleading. The only safe way to fly an airplane in low visibility conditions is to use instruments, which indicate the attitude of the airplane.
A. In bad weather, the senses can be misleading
B. Flying an airplane can be very difficult
C. When visibility is low the only safe way to fly an airplane is by using flight instruments.
D. When the weather is clear, pilots use their eyes to keep the airplane flying straight and level.
四项选择中成项和d项内容太具体，不能概括段落的主旨思想。b项内容又太笼统，超出了作者的原意。只有C项才准确地概括出段落的主旨思想。
总之，识别和理解主题句，可迅速准确地抓住短文的中心思想，从而把握住全篇的主要内容。在确定文章的主旨思想时，选项的内容既不能太具体也不能太笼统。在选择和确定主旨思想时，题中给出的四个选择项往往都是事实，要求考生从中选出最能概括文章主旨思想的一项作为正确答案。在这方面考生容易犯以下两种错误：一种是把主题的一部分看成是文章的"主旨思想"，这样选择的"主旨思想"太具体，不能准确地概括出整个文章或段落的主旨思想。另一种是在表达作者的主旨思想时，词语概括的范围太大，太笼统，超出了作者的本意。