在英语阅读中，单词很重要，但标点符号的作用也不容小觑。如果知道大部分标点符号表示的文段的作用，那么在解答中也会游刃有余。一起来看看常见标点符号对阅读文段有什么帮助吧。

英语阅读中的9大符号秘密，学好英语备战18升本" >

1.逗号

用于分割并列成分。阅读重点：两个逗号之间，或者一个逗号之后，如果是补充说明成分时，跳过不看。Eg：Some huge American industries, such as consumer electronics, had shrunk or vanished in the face of foreign competition.

2.句号

①用于陈述句，表示一个句子的结束，起分割切分句子作用。

②用于某些缩略词之后。比如Mr.、 Ms.、 etc.等等。如果句号作为简写符号使用，那么这个词语简写前后面的符号应该照常写上，因为简写号并非句号，也不遵循句号的语法。

③用作小数点。

3.问号

阅读文章中的问号一般都是设问的功能，只问不答，答案不言自明。另外，如果开篇就是问句，那么则属于问题答案型文章，对问题的回答就是全文主旨。

4.冒号

冒号前后是从抽象到具体的过程，后面进一步补充说明前面的内容。

We live in a society in which the medicinal and social use of substances (drugs) is pervasive: an aspirin to quiet a headache, some wine to be sociable, coffee to get going in the morning, a cigarette for the nerves.

5.分号

前后是并列关系，包括结构上并列和语义上的并列。

6.引号

①引用； ②强调； ③讽刺

7.括号

①解释说明生词；②补充说明

Drugs (substances) that affect the central nervous system and alter perception, mood, and behavior are known as psychoactive substances.

8.破折号

①一个破折号后面起补充说明或评价判断。

I am an idiot – the stupidest kind of all.

“This book stands for reason itself.” And so it does — and all would be well were reason the only judge in the creationism/evolution debate.

②两破折号之间其补充说明，可先跳过不看。

In Australia—where an aging population, life-extending technology and changing community attitudes have all played their part—other states are going to consider making a similar law to deal with euthanasia.

9.省略号