Reading: Skimming (Reading for Gist - Very Simple Texts): Lesson 1: Identifying the Topic of a Short Text with Pictures

Reading: Skimming for Gist (Very Simple Texts)

Lesson 1: Identifying the Topic of a Short Text with Pictures

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Before You Start

Good readers don't always read every single word. Sometimes, they read very fast to get the main idea. This skill is called skimming¹. It helps you find the topic³ of a text quickly.

Today, we will practice skimming short texts using pictures and keywords⁴ to find the topic, or the gist².

How to Skim for the Topic

1. Look at the picture first. What do you see? It gives you a big clue!
2. Read the text quickly. Don't stop for words you don't know.
3. Look for keywords. These are important words (often nouns) that are repeated or seem important.

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Practice Example 1

storefront

I go to the market in Kampot. My mother sells fruit. She has sweet mangoes, bananas, and durian. Many people come to buy food.

Question: What is the topic of this text?

• A. Animals
• B. The Market
• C. School

Answer: B. The Market. The keywords are market, fruit, and food. The picture shows a market.

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Practice Example 2

moped

In Cambodia, many people ride motos to work. You can also take a tuk-tuk. Tourists often use a tuk-tuk because it is fun. My father drives a moto.

Question: What is the topic of this text?

• A. Transportation
• B. Weather
• C. Hobbies

Answer: A. Transportation. The keywords are motos and tuk-tuk. The picture shows a moto.

Your Turn to Practice!

Practice Quiz 1

Skim the text and look at the picture. What is the topic?

school

My name is Vanna and I am a student. I go to my school in the morning. I learn English and Khmer. My teacher is very kind and my friends are in my class.

• A. My Family
• B. Playing Sports
• C. My School

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Answer: C. My School. (Keywords: student, school, teacher, class)

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Skimming (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការអាន훑 (Kaa aan hout)
   The skill of reading very quickly to find the main idea. ↩ back to text
2. Gist (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: សេចក្តីសង្ខេប (Sechakdei sangkhep)
   The main point or idea of a text. The "gist" is the topic. ↩ back to text
3. Topic (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រធានបទ (Protheanbot)
   The subject that a text is about (e.g., family, food, school). ↩ back to text
4. Keyword (*noun*)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ពាក្យគន្លឹះ (Peak kunleuh)
   An important word that gives a clue about the topic. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Find a simple book, story, or advertisement in English (online or on paper).

Step 1: Look only at the title and the pictures.

Step 2: Guess the topic. What do you think it is about?

Step 3: Skim the text quickly for keywords to see if you are correct.

Tell your teacher what you found!