Reading Between the Lines
In Unit 7, Book 1 we talked about reading between the lines, which means making inferences about the author's ideas from what is written and from what is not written. In making inferences we go beyond surface details and “read between the lines” and use hints to reach information logically. Factual details in what we read provide the basis of our knowledge. But not every bit of information is apparent or clearly stated. Authors don't always express all their thoughts openly, either as a matter of style, or because they assume we know and share their opinions — or because they aren't sure how to express themselves. We may have to build upon our own knowledge and experience in order to understand something fully. Because information is not always stated in exact terms, we must get information from details or ideas that are only suggested by the author. We can't always be certain that what we understand is absolutely right. But if we follow hunches (直觉) that are based on evidence, we can be fairly sure about some things, even if they are only hinted at. 
To make inferences about the author's ideas you have to do the following.
1) Make use of context clues, your common sense and your knowledge of the world.
2) Connect ideas and draw conclusions from the reading passage.
3) Form and test what you have understood between the lines. The reading act is a two-way communication between the reader and the writer; it involves understanding, forming ideas, testing your ideas during the reading of the passage, correcting or changing your own ideas and understanding, until finally you are able to get what the writer is driving at.
Now here are some examples.
Example 1:
His words became a meaningless succession of verbs, nouns, adverbs, and adjectives … (Para. 17, Passage A, Unit 1)
Question: Why did his words become a meaningless succession of verbs, nouns, adverbs, and adjectives?
Possible answer: Mrs. Baroda was distracted and thinking of something else.
Example 2:
The stronger the desire grew to bring herself near him, the further, in fact, did she move away from him. (Para. 18, Passage A, Unit 1)
Question: Why did she move away from him when in fact she was attracted to him?
Possible answer: She was a respectable woman and she resisted the temptation as strongly as possible.
Example 3
There was some talk of having him back during the summer that followed. That is, Gaston greatly desired it; but this desire yielded to his honorable wife's vigorous opposition. (Para. 21, Passage A, Unit 1)
Question: Why did the wife strongly oppose to Gouvernail's coming to visit them again?
Possible answer: She was afraid that she would yield to her passion.
Example 4
“Oh,” she told him, laughingly, after pressing a long, tender kiss upon his lips, “I have overcome everything! You will see. This time I shall be very nice to him.” (Para. 24, Passage A, Unit 1)
Question: What do you think the wife had overcome?
Possible answer: She had overcome her affectionate passion for Gouvernail and she was ready to accept him as a friend and as a guest.
阅读技能（reading skill): Reading Between the Lines
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