Whenever you read or listen, you need to find essential key words and sentences. In this text, I have presented the key sentences in the second paragraph under the subheading “Summary”. I have also written key words at the end of each section. But, as you know, you usually have to find the key words and sentences by yourself. This is a very useful skill, not only when reading a book or listening to lecture but also in your job, in your personal relationships and daily life. If you cannot work out what key points people are trying to get across, you cannot understand others. So, it is important to grasp what the key words are when trying to comprehend all aspects of life and learning. Once you find the key words, you do not have to read or listen to the other parts carefully. You have only to imagine, picture what they are saying, and you will understand.

Keywords: key words and sentences, understanding others

If you can understand what I am saying just from scanning these key words and sentences, you do not need to read this text at all. Maybe you already know and understand what I want to say. I am writing such a long essay because it is not always easy to understand a topic merely using key words and sentences. I have to explain things in detail to make my ideas understood. However, I just want you to remember only these essential key words and sentences, especially the key sentences in the second “Summary” paragraph above, while reading over the other parts and just imagining what I am saying. Once you can do this you will realize you have a new effective way of studying.

Keywords: remember essential key words and sentences, imagine the other parts

Take this example: when taking the Japanese medical license examination, if you find the key word “dsDNA”, you should diagnose it as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). You should know this for the exam, but you do not need to know the reason why you have defined it in this way because it is too complicated and is not asked in the exam. You do not need to study this in more depth for the exam since you do not have to memorize what never or seldom appears on the paper. You should analyze the old exam papers and find out what the essential or important key words or key sentences are. You only have to memorize these to pass the exam effectively. Some people are likely to study unnecessary material or study too persistently and waste their time. In exams you are judged only by your ability to answer questions on the exam paper, so it is best to concentrate on these aspects. However excellent your ability and however radiant your personality, all this has no bearing on the exam. In other things in life, such as in your job, these may be valuable attributes, but not when it comes to written exams. It is best to concentrate on what you need to do to get through the exam stage.

Keywords: do not have to memorize what never or seldom appears on the paper, pass the exam effectively