新託福口語考試中的45秒鐘的時間絕對不允許我們一次次地反覆閱讀某個句子，即使碰到難懂的句子也是如此。怎麼辦呢？繼續讀下去，試圖在後一句中找到理解前一句（特別是難句）的線索。這一線索就是句子與句子之間的關係。因此，準確地把握句子與句子之間的關係就不失為一種能很好地提高閱讀理解的方法了。
句子之間的關係多種多樣，常見的有：並列關係、因果關係、遞進關係、轉折關係和相互解釋關係。
Women could and did play a part in this process of settlement. Iceland, for instance, was uninhabited, and a permanent population could only be established if women also made the journey there. (後一句的具體事例為前一句提供說明與解釋)
People borrowed more and more money so that they could buy these shares. Because of this, the American people started to believe that share prices could only go up further. (「because of」明顯的因果關係)
Astronomy is a science that deals with all the celestial bodies in the universe. Astronomy includes the study of planets and their satellites, comets and meteors, stars and interstellar matter, star systems and clusters. (後一句是對前一句celestial bodies 的進一步解釋)
Previously it was believed that due to the Archaeopteryx’s (始祖鳥) underdeveloped anatomy, it would not have been able to fly. However, research by the London Natural History Museum into its brain developed and that it had good vision and a good sense of balance — all the requirements for a creature to be able to fly. (「However」轉折對比)
閱讀時，我們可以根據段落中出現的一些信號詞(Signal Words)來判斷句子與句子之間的關係，掌握段落髮展線索，來調整閱讀速度，提高閱讀質量。
1．顯示相同信息的信號詞：
There has been an upsurge of interest in chamber music. Likewise opera is receiving a boost from increased record sales.
「likewise」這一信號詞顯示了前面所提到的idea後面還要再一次出現。因此，閱讀時見到這樣的信號詞無須放慢閱讀速度。這樣的信號詞還包括：
and, furthermore, more, than, that, also, likewise, moreover, in addition, what is more, for instance, for example
2．顯示思路轉折的信號詞：
I』d like to go but I’m too busy.
「but」前後是完全不同的信息描述，它向讀者顯示了作者的思路在這裡有了轉折。閱讀時，碰到這樣的信號詞我們需放慢閱讀速度，以準確獲取作者真正想要說明的意思。這類信號詞還有：
although, however, on the contrary, but, in spite of, otherwise, despite, nevertheless, yet
3．顯示因果關係的信號詞：
As a result of the pilots』 strike, all flights have had to be cancelled.
All flights have had to be cancelled as a result of the pilots』 strike.
所有航班被取消的原因是因為飛行員們的罷工；飛行員們的罷工導致了所有的航班不得不被取消。顯示因果關係的信號詞還有：
for, thus, because, for this reason, so, therefore, as, since, consequently
4．顯示順序的信號詞：
Internet speeds communication between companies, among co-workers through video-conferences, and among other individuals. First, media companies use the Internet for online news, or to broadcast audio and video, including live radio and television programs, while individuals use the Internet for communication, entertainment, finding information, buying and selling goods and services. Second, the notion of distance disappears thanks to the Internet. People also enjoy instant messaging to exchange text messages or pictures in real time, with real-time video and sound. Finally, scientists and scholars use the Internet to perform research, distribute lecture notes or course materials to students, they communicate with colleagues, and can also publish papers and articles.
抓住了這樣的信號詞就把握住了作者敘述的順序，也就分清了相對獨立的論據。這樣的信號詞包括：
first, second, third, and so on, then, after, before, next, last, afterward, finally
5．表示結論/總結的信號詞：
In conclusion, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed myself today.
詞組「in conclusion」前面所提到的一些信息將在這裡被歸納總結。讀到帶有這樣的信號詞或短語的句子時，應格外留心注意，它們往往會向我們提示相關段落的核心信息。表示結論或總結的信號詞和短語還有：
as a result, finally, therefore, accordingly, in short, thus, consequently, in conclusion, so, in brief, in a word
新託福口語考試中的閱讀材料只是一個百十來字的段落，閱讀時我們不應把每個句子都孤立開來，而是要把所有的句子連成一個整體，通過準確把握句子與句子之間的邏輯關係來挖掘段落的核心意義。這樣才不至於出現讀後「不知所云」的現象，才會為稍後的口語回答問題做好準備。
》》》編輯推薦：2011年託福考試備考輔導專題
（責任編輯：申月月）