A Few Words About Speed
Good SAT takers don’t read too fast or too slowly; they read smart. One of the most common mistakes on the Critical Reading section is reading too fast. Many students think that reading fast saves them time. The opposite is often true: if you skim too quickly, down in the questions.
As you take the Practice Tests, time yourself carefully on the Critical Reading sections, and notice of you have much difficulty finishing each section. Don’t panic, though, if you don’t finish in time for the first couple of tests; you will probably improve your efficiency after a few tests, and the problem will go away. If finishing in time is still a big problem after a few Practice Tests, however, you have four options:
- Change the way you’re attacking the questions (as discussed below).
- Keep a stopwatch and budget your time: set aside 10 minutes for a short passage, 15 minutes for a long one.
- Work on improving your reading speed (as discussed below).
- Get tested to see if you qualify to take the SAT with extended time.
If you discover, after a few practice tests, that you would do considerably better on the Critical Reading section with more time, talk to your guidance counselor about how to qualify for extended time on the SAT. Be careful, though: extra time doesn’t necessarily mean extra points. Some students actually score lower with extra time, because they don’t use their time as effectively.
The “Attack the Questions as You Read” Approach
Although many student prefer to read the whole passage before attacking the questions, you might want to experiment it with an “attack the questions as you read approach. First, read the first paragraph or two,then answer the questions that pertain to that section of the passage (skip any “central idea” or “overall purpose” questions for now). When you reach a question that refers to a portion of the passage that you haven’t read, go back and read the next paragraph or two, and so on. Always read whole paragraphs at a time: don’t stop in the middle of a paragraph.
Increase Your Speed Gradually
If you increase your reading speed the right way, your comprehension will increase as well. Imagine yourself driving a car when it suddenly accelerates beyond your control. What would you do? You’d pay very close attention to everything around you so you wouldn’t crash! Similarly, when you speed up your reading, you break yourself of the habit of mindlessly moving your eyes over the page. You will pay better attention to the ideas. The key, though, is to increase your speed gradually.
One barrier to fast reading is “sub vocalization,” or the tendency to “hear” in your head the words that you are reading. To break this barrier, practice forcing your eyes to move over the words faster than you can speak them.
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Use Your Hand
If you want to read faster or improve your focus, you must retrain your eyes to move smoothly and quickly though the page. Use your hand to help. Let your fingers sweep smoothly across the page to guide and focus your eyes on the words near your fingers. Work on “pushing” your eyes through the passage. Practice with different sweep techniques. Good hand-eye coordination will boost your comprehension as well as your speed.
Practice, Practice, Practice…….
Daily “quick reading” exercises help you to bone your comprehension skills. Take out a stopwatch and try-to get the key ideas of a newspaper or magazine article in 30 seconds. Try to get the key ideas of a book in only five minutes. “Quick reading” exercises will help you to locate important points in your reading and skim over unnecessary ones.
While the first scenes hook the audiences immediately, the latter ones establish the rhythm and never let go.
A movie that beat Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption for Best Picture and took home five other Oscars, Forrest Gump is an epic story of the titular character’s ambling journey through life. Forrest is a man with a low IQ but he accomplishes great things almost by accident. From running over 15,000 miles to serving in the military, his life had many turns.
The movie focuses on Forrest's simple pleasures, wide-eyed curiosities, and random musings with honorable leisure, allowing audiences to resonate with and root for him. It also shifts its tempo to hypnotic quality whenever Forrest unexpectedly falls into history-making events. For all its transformative atmosphere, the movie built towards one grand moment – Forrest reuniting with his childhood love. The result was so perfectly bittersweet that it transformed the film into cinematic poetry.
Forrest Gump: A Journey of Resilience, Love, and Destiny
Part 1
In the peaceful town of Greenbow, Alabama, Forrest Gump came into the world as a part of a caring yet distinctive family. Mrs. Gump, his devoted mother, was resolute in providing him with the best possible life, despite the challenges posed by his intellectual disabilities. Through her nurturing and love, she imparted invaluable life lessons that would go on to define his character and serve as a compass through the unpredictability of life's journey.
As Forrest entered adulthood, he encountered the trials of feeling different from his peers due to his intellectual disabilities. However, with the unwavering support and love of his mother, he learned to embrace his uniqueness and viewed the world with a genuine and innocent perspective. It was on one ordinary day, while waiting for the school bus, that fate intervened, and he crossed paths with a young girl named Jenny Curran. Little did he know that this chance encounter would mark the beginning of a lifelong friendship and a love that would profoundly impact both their lives.
Throughout their childhood and adolescence, Forrest and Jenny shared numerous adventures, fostering an unbreakable bond between them. Despite their contrasting upbringings, they discovered solace and comfort in each other's presence, with Jenny serving as a guiding light during the darkest moments of Forrest's life.
As they reached high school, Forrest's innate talent for running became evident, catching the attention of many, including Bear Bryant, the renowned coach of the University of Alabama football team. Recognizing Forrest's exceptional skills, Bear extended a life-changing offer: a full scholarship to the university. This opportunity would alter the course of Forrest's life forever, opening doors to new experiences and possibilities he had never imagined before.
Part 2
At the university, Forrest's exceptional talent in football shone brightly, propelling him to become a star player on the college team. Despite his success on the field, he still felt a sense of incompleteness without Jenny, who had pursued her own aspirations elsewhere. Despite the physical distance between them, their emotional connection remained strong, and every time they reunited, it felt like returning home.
However, the tumultuous times of the Vietnam War loomed on the horizon, and Forrest's life took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into the army. Before departing for war, he made a heartfelt promise to Jenny that he would return safely to her. In the midst of the battlefield, Forrest formed a deep friendship with Bubba, another soldier who shared his dreams of starting a shrimp fishing business. Their bond grew stronger as they faced the horrors of war side by side, finding solace and support in each other during the most trying of circumstances.
Heartbreak struck Forrest when he tragically lost his dear friend Bubba in the throes of battle, leaving him devastated. Determined to honor their shared dream, Forrest returned home with a resolute spirit. In memory of Bubba, he took the courageous step of establishing the "Bubba Gump Shrimp" company, a venture that would pay tribute to his fallen comrade. Through unwavering dedication and hard work, the business flourished, becoming a symbol of not only their friendship but also the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Part 3
As Forrest journeyed through life, destiny seemed to lead him to the heart of significant historical events. His path intersected with luminaries like President John F. Kennedy, and he bore witness to the tumultuous Watergate scandal that shook the nation. Moreover, Forrest unwittingly played a role in the international ping-pong diplomacy, where his actions helped bridge gaps and ease tensions between the United States and China. In ways he could never have anticipated, Forrest found himself an integral part of history's unfolding chapters.
Throughout Forrest's eventful life, his heart remained steadfastly devoted to Jenny. Despite the twists and turns that life threw their way, she would periodically return to seek solace in his unwavering love and support. However, their journey together was far from smooth, as Jenny battled personal demons and found herself in destructive relationships.
Despite the heartache and challenges they faced, Forrest's love for Jenny endured, proving that true love knows no bounds and remains resolute through trials and tribulations. He stood by her side, offering unwavering care and understanding, demonstrating the depth of his affection.
Throughout it all, Forrest found solace and purpose in running, a simple yet profound act that allowed him to cope with the complexities of life. Putting one foot in front of the other became more than just a physical activity; it became a metaphor for resilience, perseverance, and the unstoppable force of his love for Jenny.
Part 4
As their lives unfolded, Forrest and Jenny followed distinct paths – Forrest becoming a prosperous and accomplished businessman, while Jenny pursued her dreams of becoming a singer. In the pursuit of financial success, Forrest came to a profound realization that it was not the material wealth or achievements that truly mattered, but rather, it was the simplicity of his values and the love he held for the important people in his life that brought genuine happiness and fulfillment.
Eventually, fate brought Forrest and Jenny back together, and their enduring love triumphed. They rekindled their relationship, leading to a joyous marriage and a brief but cherished moment of happiness. However, their joy was cut short when Jenny's long-standing illness took a grave toll, leading to her untimely passing.
In the face of profound grief and heartache, Forrest drew on his inner strength to raise their son, Forrest Jr., as a devoted and loving single father. As he watched his son grow, Forrest imparted the same timeless values and life lessons that his beloved mother had instilled in him, emphasizing that true intelligence is not solely measured by academic achievements, but by the kindness, compassion, and love that reside in one's heart.
As Forrest Jr. embarked on his own life journey, Forrest took a moment to reflect on the experiences that had shaped him. Through introspection, he came to the profound realization that his destiny was not merely a random series of events but a beautifully intricate tapestry woven together by the threads of love, resilience, and chance encounters. Each moment, no matter how small, had contributed to the rich fabric of his life.
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