Contents // Tothereader 2 // Introduction // Reading and reading comprehension 3 // What is reading comprehension? 3 Some assumptions 6 // Reading comprehension in the classroom 10 Reading comprehension exercise-types 12 // The exercises // I Reading techniques 28 // Sensitizing 28 // Improving reading speed $4 // From skimming to scanning 56 // II How the aim is conveyed 90 // Aim and function of the text 90 // Organization of the text: different thematic patterns 93 Thematization 127 // III Understanding meaning 130 // Non-linguistic response to the text 130 Linguistic response to the text 186 // IV Assessing the text 239 // Fact versus opinion 239 Writer’s intention 241 // Bibliography 251 Acknowledgements 252