Reading: Scanning for Specific Information
A2 Lesson 1: Finding Names, Dates, Times, and Places in Simple Texts
Scanning for Key Details
We know that scanning is searching for one piece of information. Today, we will practice scanning a text to find four different types of important details: Names, Dates, Times, and Places.
Knowing what these details look like helps you find them very fast, without reading every word.
Part 1: Clues for Finding Information
Use these clues to help you scan. You don't need to read everything, just search for the clues!
- To find a Name: Look for a capital letter (e.g., Sokha, Mr. Rithy).
- To find a Date1: Look for a month, a day of the week, or numbers for the day and year.
- To find a Time2: Look for numbers with AM, PM, or a colon ( : ).
- To find a Place3: Look for a capital letter for a city or a known building name.
Part 2: Let's Practice Scanning an Announcement
Below is an announcement for a club meeting. Let's scan it together to find the four key details.
English Club Meeting!
All students are invited to a special meeting to learn about Cambodian history.
- Guest Speaker: Mr. Rithy
- Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM
- Place: The Library
Let's find the answers:
- Scan for the Name: Look for the "Guest Speaker". The name is Mr. Rithy.
- Scan for the Date: Look for the month and numbers. The date is Saturday, June 21, 2025.
- Scan for the Time: Look for the numbers with PM. The time is 3:00 PM.
- Scan for the Place: Look for the meeting location. The place is The Library.
Your Turn to Scan!
Practice Quiz
Scan this short invitation to find the details below.
"Hi Vanna, You are invited to Sophea’s birthday party! The party is on Friday, June 20, 2025, at her house in Kampot. Please come at 6:00 PM. We will have cake!"
- What is the name of the person having the party?
- What is the day of the party?
- What is the time?
- What is the place?
Answers: 1. Sophea, 2. Friday, 3. 6:00 PM, 4. Her house in Kampot.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Date (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: កាលបរិច្ឆេទ
Information about the day, month, and year (e.g., June 14, 2025). ↩ back to text -
Time (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ពេលវេលា
Information about the hour and minutes (e.g., 4:00 PM, 9:30 AM). ↩ back to text -
Place (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ទីកន្លែង
Information about where something is located (e.g., the market, my school, Room 3). ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Real World Scanning!
Find a real-life English text. It can be a poster for an event, a bus ticket, a food menu, or a notice from a shop.
Scan your text to find as many of these details as you can:
- A Place (a city, a street, a building name)
- A Time
- A Date
- A Price (a number with $ or ៛)
Write down what you find and show it to your teacher.