WEEK 1 (LESSON 2)

WEEK 1 (LESSON 2)
Reading

Skimming and scanning
Derive meaning of words contextually

Skimming

 Skimming is a fast reading technique
 It helps you to identify quickly the main

ideas in a text
 You don’t read the whole text word-for-

word
 Instead, focus on the centre of each line

and work down the page – Your eyes will
take in the words on either side
 Skimming will help you to decide if the
text is interesting and/ or relevant

Scanning

Scanning is another fast reading technique
It helps you to look for specific information

within a text
You don’t read the whole text word-for-

word
Instead, think about key words or phrases

you are looking for – then allow your eyes
to move quickly across until you find what
you are looking for

Close Reading

 Close reading comes after skimming or
scanning

 It can help you to answer questions or
make notes on a specific topic or area

 This is where you read the text word-for-
word

 Once you have found key words or
phrases, you can read around them to
find more information.

 Close reading in the final stage in the
reading process

Activity1: SKIMMING AND SCANNING

 People think that chocolate causes spots and tooth decay, and
has a reputation for being fattening. On the other hand,
chocolate is also known for being an excellent anti–depressant.
While there’s still much we don’t know about chocolate, recent
research is helping us to understand how eating chocolate
affects our health.

 The good news is that most of the bad effects of eating
chocolate are either exaggerated or entirely false. It has been
proven eating chocolate does not acne. Eating chocolate (or
not eating it) did not produce any changes to people’s spots.
These results are supported by research which shows that acne is
not primarily linked to diet.

 Dental research has proven that chocolate does not cause
cavities or tooth decay. In fact, there are indications that the
cocoa butter in the chocolate coats the teeth and may help
protect them by preventing plaque from forming.

 Obviously, eating too much of any food may cause health
problems. The cocoa butter in chocolate does contain fat, which
can cause heart problems.

Skimming Practice

 SKIMMING QUESTIONS
 Write a brief summary (at least one paragraph)

explaining what the article is about.

 How did you use skimming to answer question 1?
Describe what you did.

Find and circle the following words in the
passage given as quickly as possible.

Clever home unite distress marriage early



Let’s understanding!

What are the differences between
skimming and scanning?