由历年考研英语真题可知，阅读理解部分的试题中，大多数是针对段落的细节设计的，其目的是为了测试考生对组成段落的主体部分的理解。在每年的考试中，细节题的数量是最多的，大约占50%，其中涉及对文章中复杂句、列举、例证、引用、转折、因果关系等的处理，因此做好这类题至关重要。
另外，细节题的测试在另一方面也可以考察考生对段落结构的理解程度，哪些是辅助论点，哪些是主要脉络，只有对这些细节有一定的了解，我们才能更深入地领会文 章。文章的细节并不是孤立的，它总要与其他事实前后呼应，一般来说，作者总会把同等性质的事实放在一起，并借助不同的衔接手段进行组合，从而达到说服读者 或阐明观点的目的。其提问方式不外乎有以下几种：
The author provides following examples except …
According to the author, all of the following are true except (that)____.
Which is among the best possible ways to…?
Which of the following would NOT be an example____?
Which of the following is the LEAST likely…?
对于细节题我们要从词义与语法(句法)着手，从这个角度来说，此类考题又可被细划分以下几个细类：
1. 因果标志语
表因果关系的标志词可具体分为：
(1)表原因
because of, since, for, as, now that, seeing that, owing to, caused by, the main reason for…is
(2)表结果
hence, thus, so, therefore, consequently, as a consequence, accordingly, for that reason
2. 结论标志语
in general, generally speaking, in short, in a word, to be brief in all, in simple words
3. 转折与对比题
but, however, nevertheless, otherwise, dissimilarly, unlike, on the contrary, in contrast, in opposition to, on the opposite side
4. 比较类型标记语
similarly, likewise, in similar fashion, in similar way, in the same matter, just as
5. 列举标志语
one… another…still another, first…second…third
6. 举例标志语
for example, as an example, as an instance, take…as an example, let me cite… as a proof
