結(jié)構(gòu)指示詞，即Direction Words，在SAT閱讀考試中的作用體現(xiàn)在三個(gè)方面：幫助預(yù)判focus或topic，幫助預(yù)判細(xì)節(jié)關(guān)系或者說(shuō)是細(xì)節(jié)結(jié)構(gòu)，幫助確定閱讀速度的快慢。來(lái)看下面的例子：

Reports on an organization’s projects may fill several major functions at the same time. A report can be used to educate and gain support from key people and groups, to facilitate and inform decision-making about current and future projects, and to provide documentation for the organization’s records.

上面文字中的several是一個(gè)不定數(shù)詞，它屬于Classification & Listing這一類Direction Words，當(dāng)它出現(xiàn)在觀點(diǎn)句中或者結(jié)論句中的時(shí)候，它表明緊跟在它后面的名詞或者名詞短語(yǔ)就是下面文字的topic or focus，在這里我們知道下面文字的中心是報(bào)告的主要功能(major functions)。

其次通過(guò)several這一結(jié)構(gòu)指示詞，我們還可以判定下面的細(xì)節(jié)部分不是分類討論結(jié)構(gòu)就是列舉結(jié)構(gòu)。最后我們既然已經(jīng)能夠預(yù)判下文的中心和結(jié)構(gòu)，也就自然能夠加快閱讀速度了，畢竟已知大意和目的的內(nèi)容可以加快閱讀。

下面是六類SAT閱讀常見(jiàn)的結(jié)構(gòu)指示詞

Classification & Listing
category, classification, group, parts, types, characteristics, elements, kinds, sorts, ways, classes, features, numbers, 1,2,3,4, moreover, next, also, then, furthermore, etc.

Sequence of Process
first, now, later, second, after, stages, third, before, steps, next, finally, then, most, important, furthermore, when, last, etc.

Example
for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, notably, to describe, specifically, perhaps the most, etc.

Definition
define, known as, we mean, is, that is, we can state, is defined as, the term means, etc.

Cause & Effect
because, for this reason, since, cause, on account of, why, contribute to, due to, as a result, in effect, therefore, consequently, result in, thus, hence, the outcome is, accordingly

Comparison & Contrast
compare, like/alike, resembles, likewise, similar, parallels, in comparison, in the same way/manner, although, however, on the other hand, as opposed to, but, instead, etc.

通過(guò)上面的介紹，我們就可以看到SAT閱讀結(jié)構(gòu)性指示詞的內(nèi)容和大家以前掌握的一些連接詞非常相似，但是范圍要更加廣一些。大家可以在備考SAT閱讀考試之前就對(duì)這些詞匯進(jìn)行熟悉和記憶，在備考中經(jīng)過(guò)一段時(shí)間的練習(xí)之后就會(huì)有更好的掌握了。