托福阅读考查的是同学们提取信息和筛选信息的能力。托福阅读的难度较大，而且近几年的托福阅读有难度增大的趋势。怎么办？托福阅读中的信号词或许可以帮上一些忙。

托福阅读中的信号词通常有：
1.显示相同信息的信号词
There has been an upsurge of interest in chamber music. Likewise opera is receiving a boost from increased record sales.

“likewise”这一信号词显示了前面所提到的idea后面还要再一次出现。因此，阅读时见到这样的信号词无须放慢阅读速度。这样的信号词还包括：and, furthermore, more, than, that, also, likewise, moreover, in addition, what is more, for instance, for example
2.显示思路转折的信号词
I'd like to go but I'm too busy.

“but”前后是完全不同的信息描述，它向读者显示了作者的思路在这里有了转折。阅读时，碰到这样的信号词我们需放慢阅读速度，以准确获取作者真正想要说明的意思。这类信号词还有：
although, however, on the contrary, but, in spite of, otherwise, despite, nevertheless, yet
3.显示因果关系的信号词
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为飞行员们的罢工;飞行员们的罢工导致了所有的航班不得不被取消。显示因果关系的信号词还有：for, thus, because, for this reason, so, therefore, as, since, consequently
4.显示顺序的信号词
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.

抓住了这样的信号词就把握住了作者叙述的顺序，也就分清了相对独立的论据。这样的信号词包括：

first, second, third, and so on, then, after, before, next, last, afterward, finally
5.表示结论/总结的信号词
In conclusion, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed myself today.

词组“in conclusion”前面所提到的一些信息将在这里被归纳总结。读到带有这样的信号词或短语的句子时，应格外留心注意，它们往往会向我们提示相关段落的核心信息。表示结论或总结的信号词和短语还有：

as a result, finally, therefore, accordingly, in short, thus, consequently, in conclusion, so, in brief, in a word

托福阅读不是一个词一个词的分裂开来，而是要将句子与句子连接起来，所以这些托福阅读中的信号词的作用就显得特别的重要。