Reading speed is measured by WPM(words per minute).For an average middle school student, a reading speed should be about 100WPM. To calculate ① your WPM, you need two measurements. First, count or estimate② the total number of words in the reading material. Second, keep an accurate record of the time you spend reading the material. With these two measurements, you can make any reading passage into a speed reading exercise. The following may be helpful to improve your reading speed:

1.Do not move your lips when reading. This slows you down.

2. Do not move your head from side to side when reading. Practise using your eyes to scan③ the page.

3. Do not use your finger to point to the words or lines as you are reading. Your hand cannot move as fast as your eyes.

4.Find a quiet place to read. The fewer distractions④, the better your concentration⑤.

5.Look, for context clues⑥, to get the meaning of new words.

6.Increase your scanning ability. Try not to read separate words but groups of words.

7.Time your reading speed. Practise estimating the number of words in a passage and calculate your reading speed.

8.Practise scanning for important words of nouns and verbs. This allows you to read faster, yet you will still catch the important words to get the general idea of the passage.

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