CHAPTER III

HOW TO READ EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY

The above question is so awesome. To answer those interesting questions please ask
yourself this question: Do I read every word in your own language when I am reading a
schedule, summary, or other outlining document?
The answer is most definitely: No! Reading in English is like reading in your native
language. This means that it is not always necessary to read and understand each and every
word in English. Remember that reading skills in your native language and English are basically
the same.
According to reading theories the reading process involves two separate but highly
interrelated areas - word identification and comprehension. It is well established that
difficulties in automatic word recognition significantly affect a reader's ability to effectively
comprehend what they are reading (Lyon, 1995; Alexander, 2001). Even mild difficulties in word
identification can pull attention away from the underlying meaning, reduce the speed of
reading, and create the need to reread selections to grasp the meaning.
Many students who struggle to learn to read are able, with appropriate instruction, to
compensate for initial reading problems by becoming accurate decoders but fail to reach a level
of sufficient fluency to become fast and efficient readers. Thus, the development of techniques
for improving automaticity and fluency is critical. Although the research is clear that a
systematic alphabetic approach to teaching beginning readers is more effective than a whole
word approach (Adams, 1990), the most effect ways to develop fluency are less well
understood. Although current research has given us some direction about effective methods for
increasing fluency (National Reading Panel, 2000), further systematic research is needed to give
us more comprehensive answers to questions concerning the best methodologies, types of
materials, and length/intensity of interventions necessary for optimal gains. The purpose of this

article is to suggest some techniques that are consistent with the research and have been found
to be either clinically effective or logically appropriate.

4.1 How to Read Faster

Why read faster? Reading faster helps you to understand more. This may be surprising.
But, in fact, your brain works better when you read faster. Try reading this:
Many
The
Faster
They

students
are
surprised
when
teacher
tells
them
to
read
but
they soon
find
out
that
understand
more
that
way.

If you read slowly, you read one word at a time. You must remember many separate
words. Soon you can get tired or bored. But if you read faster, you can read groups of words
together. Then you can think about ideas and not just single words. That is why you understand
better and remember more.
Read the three short passages in this chapter. Time yourself for each one. After each
passage, there are comprehension questions. You will have two chances to answer them. The
first time, do not look back at the passage. See how much you can remember. Then answer the
question again. This time you may look back if you need to.
Read Passage A

Starting time:__________________
A

Rosebud is a small town in New Jersey. It looks like many other towns in the United
States. On Main Street there is a post office and a police station. The drugstore and the
library are down the street. There is also a shopping center. It has a supermarket and a
department store. Rosebud is a quiet place, not very rich or poor. But the town is
growing. There are new houses every year. It is a popular place to live because it is near
New York City. Many people live in Rosebud and work in New York.
Stop! Write the time you finished reading: _______________________See the next and answer the questions. Do not look back.

Circle the best answer.

1. This passage is about
a. New York City
b. Towns
c. Rosebud, N.J
d. A quiet place
2. Rosebud is
a. Like many other American towns
b. Not like many other American towns
c. A noisy place
d. A large city
3. Every year Rosebud
a. Has fewer houses
b. Is like other American towns
c. Has noisy streets
d. Has more houses
4. Many people want to live in Rosebud because
a. It is growing
b. It is a quiet place.
c. It is near New York City.
d. It is not rich or poor.

Read Passage B

Starting time:__________________
B

In the middle of Rosebud, N.J., near the post office, is the office of Dr. Fay
Diamond. Everybody in town knows Dr. Diamond. Hes a very good dentist. Hes also a
popular person. He likes to tell funny stories to his patients. They forget about their teeth
when they listen to him. On the weekends Dr. Diamond likes to go to basketball games.
Sometimes he also watches sports on TV. But his favorite activity is fishing. Every
Saturday in the summer, he gets up early in the morning. He and his friends spend the
day fishing at Lake Yoknapawatha.

Stop! Write the time you finished reading: _______________________See the next and answer the questions. Do not look back.
Circle the best answer.
1. This passage is about
a. A dentist
b. What Dr. Diamond likes to do
c. Dr. Fay Diamond
d. Fishing
2. Dr. Diamond is popular because
a. Everyone in town knows him.
b. He listens to his patients
c. He tells his patients funny stories
d. He likes to go fishing
3. Fishing is Dr. Diamonds
a. Job
b. Favorite activity
c. Dream
d. Patient
4. Dr.Diamond like to be
a. With people
b. Alone
c. Quiet
d. A patient
Read Passage C

Starting time:__________________
C

Dr. Diamond is married to Lestari Diamond. She is a scientist with a Ph. D in

chemistry. She works in a laboratory in New York City. She and some other scientists are
studying the air over the city. They want to find a way to make the air cleaner. Every
morning, Lestari takes the train to New York. She sees the dirty air. She also sees the dirt
and garbage on the streets. She is glad she lives in New Jersey, and not in New York. The

Diamonds house has a back yard with trees and beautiful flowers. Lestaris favorite
activity is working in her garden.
Stop! Write the time you finished reading: _______________________See the next and answer the questions. Do not look back.
CIRCLE THE BEST ANSWER.
1. This passage is about
a. Dr. Diamond
b. Scientists.
c. The city and the country
d. Lestari Diamond
2. Lestari Diamond thinks New York
a. Is a nice city
b. Is a clean city
c. Is a busy city
d. Has a dirty air and streets
3. Rosebud is
a. Dirtier than New York
b. Cleaner than New York
c. Crowded
d. Not a good place to live
4. Lestaris favorite activity is
a. Taking the train to New York City
b. Working in the laboratory
c. Working in the garden
d. New York City
4.2 How To Think In English
If you want to read English well, you must think in English. These exercises well help you.
In each exercise, the last sentence is not finished. Below the exercise, there are four endings.
Circle the best ending. Anyway, as you work:
1. Guess the meanings of new words
2. Try to understand the way ideas work together in English.
Here is an example:
In the morning the language lab was full of people. Many students
were waiting. Joe could not find a seat. He decided to come back
when the lab was
a. Closed
b. Busy
c. More crowded
d. Less crowded

Why did Joe decide to come back later? Because the lab was full. What is another word
for full? Crowded. Then, Joe wants a seat. So he must come back when the lab is not full.
What is another way to say not full? Less crowded. The correct answer is d.less crowded.
Here are six more examples for practice. The underlined words may help you find the best
ending.
1. Fruit is sweet, but candy is even
a. Nicer
b. Worse
c. Sweeter
d. Less sweet
2. Vitamins are very important for the health of young children. If children dont get
enough vitamins in their food, they will
a. Get sick
b. Be happy
c. Get well
d. Stay home
3. Some people are vegetarians. They do not eat any kind of meat. One special kind of
vegetarian will not even eat
a. Vegetables
b. Carrots
c. Fruits
d. Eggs
4. There are many kinds of coffee around the world. The Italians like their coffee strong
and dark. Americans do not like very strong coffee. They prefer it
a. Stronger
b. Weaker
c. For breakfast
d. Black
5. You can make tea from many kinds of plants and fruits. Some people drink tea from
roses and other flowers. People also make tea from
a. Medicine
b. Coffee
c. Milk
d. Apples
6. Chocolate is popular around the world. In some countries, people use it in main dishes
such as chicken. In other countries, it is used in desserts such as ice cream, pudding, or
a. Breakfast
b. Soup
c. Salad
d. cake
4.3 Previewing

Before you start on a trip, you usually look at a map. It helps you plan your way. Then you
know what to expect as you travel. This is a good idea in reading, too. Look before you read.
Then it is much easier to understand.
That is what you do when you PREVIEW.
READ THIS PASSAGE.
The first time you try it, ask someone to help you. You may fall if no one holds you
up. It is a good idea to start on the sidewalk. The street may be dangerous. After you start,
do not stop. Try to go faster. That will help you to stay up. Remember, even little children
can do this. And once you learn how, you will never forget!
What is this passage about________________?
If you can not tell, look at the picture below

Picture help you understand. Before you read, always look at the pictures (if there are
any)!
How To Preview A Short Passage?:
1. Read the title.
2. Look at the pictures (if there are any).
3. Read the first few sentences in the first paragraph.
4. Read the first line of the other paragraphs.
5. Read the last sentence of the last paragraph.
6. Watch for names, dates and numbers.

Read the next passage, I believe this will help you learn how to PREVIEW.
A BUSY STUDENT
Rustam is happy to be a student in New York. He is studying English at

Columbia University. He plans to finish his English course in June. Then he

will work on his masters degree at New York University.
Rustam likes the many beautiful buildings in New York.
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Rustam also likes the people in New York.
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Best of all, he loves the theaters in New York.
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He is far from her home in Indonesia. But he is not sad.
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He is very busy and happy in New York.

Now see the questions below:

Circle the best answer. Dont look back at the passage.
1. This passage is about
a. An American student in New York
b. An Indonesian student in New York
c. An Indonesian student in Indonesia
d. An Indonesian woman studying in New York.
2. Rustam is
a. Unhappy
b. Happy
c. Lonely
d. Not busy
3. He goes to plays in
a. Large theaters
b. Small theaters
c. New York
d. All of the above
4. Rustam has
a. Few interests
b. Few friends
c. Many interests
d. Nothing to do.

NOW READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE.

Passage A
A BUSY STUDENT
Rustam is happy to be a student in New York. He is studying English
at Columbia University. He plans to finish his English course in June. Then
he will work on his masters degree at New York University.
Rustam likes the many beautiful buildings in New York. In fact, he
plans to become an architect. Then she can build great buildings, too.
Rustam also likes the people in New York. There are many different
kinds of people. They speak many languages. Rustam has made new
friends from other countries.
Best of all, he loves the theaters in New York. He goes to plays
almost every week. Sometimes the plays are in theaters on Broadway.
Sometimes the plays are in small theaters in other parts of the city.
He is far from her home in Indonesia. But he is not sad. He goes to
classes every day. He visits his friends. He goes to see new places. And he
attends many plays. He is very busy and happy in New York.

My 3rd BOOK: EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT READING

HARGA BUKU: Rp. 75.000,- belum termasuk ongkos kirim.tentang ongkir bisa dicek
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the new cover and printed on Penerbit JavaKarsa

Alhamdulillah setelah bekerjasama secara mengharu biru dengan mas Eri Bahri untuk
ngurus ISBN , Abu farros untuk layout dan mas Dwi Setyo N untuk pencetakan buku
dan juga special thanks buat Sigied Himawan dari Rustam Publishing sudah terbit
buku karangan saya berjudul Effective & Efficient Reading. sebuah buku yang spesial
buat siswa atau mahasiswa yang sudah punya kemampuan dasar berbahasa Inggris tapi
ingin lebih meningkat lebih baik dalam pemahaman bacaaan dan lebih cepat membaca
teks berbahasa Inggris. berikut ini adalah table of contents-nya:

Considering above students reading problems, this book is the best

solution to make easy for the students to have the Effective and Efficient
Reading skills and activity. This book is designed in an easiest, systematical
and effective form to achieve adequate reading theories and exercises. This
book is designed especially for Intermediate-level-students in improving
reading skills. I hope this book will be beneficial as the ladder for upgrading
the students English academic reading competence.

HARGA BUKU: Rp. 75.000,- belum termasuk ongkos kirim.tentang ongkir bisa dicek
via situs TIKI: tiki-online.com.paket favorit adalah ONS=OVERNIGHT
SERVICES.paket sehari sampai.

send SMS Ke faizal 0856-4201-9501.

if you wanna make the discussion about the content of the book you may contact the
writer on his twitter account twitter.com/pakfaizal or send E-mail to :
faizrisd@gmail.com