Reading: Skimming & Scanning
B1 Lesson 1: Quickly Identifying Main Ideas & Relevant Sections
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
Let's learn these important words from the reading passage.
Two Key Reading Skills
To read faster and more efficiently, you don't always read every word. You use two different skills: skimming and scanning.
Skimming (훑어អាន)
Goal: To get the main idea (gist) quickly.
Question: "What is this text about?"
How to do it:
- Read the Title.
- Read all subheadings.
- Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
- Read the last paragraph (conclusion).
Scanning (រាវរក)
Goal: To find specific information (a name, date, number, or keyword).
Question: "Where is the word 'Copenhagen'?"
How to do it:
- Move your eyes very quickly over the text.
- Do not read full sentences.
- Look for the *shape* of the word or number.
- Ignore everything else until you find your target.
Reading Passage
You will practice skimming and scanning on this text.
The Rise of Urban Cycling
Across the world, cities are changing. As populations grow, urban areas are becoming more crowded and polluted. In response, many people are ditching their cars and rediscovering a simple, old invention: the bicycle. This shift is not just a trend; it's a move towards a healthier and more sustainable future for our cities.
Why Are People Cycling?
The benefits of urban cycling are numerous. First, it is an incredibly efficient form of exercise. A daily commute by bike can improve cardiovascular health and reduce stress. Secondly, it's good for the planet. Bicycles produce zero emissions, helping to fight air pollution and climate change. Finally, it's often faster. In congested city centers, a cyclist can often travel faster than a car stuck in traffic.
The Copenhagen Example
Many cities look to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, as a model. In Copenhagen, an amazing 62% of its residents commute to work or school by bike every day. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, including wide, protected bike lanes and bridges that are only for bicycles. This investment shows that when cycling is made safe and convenient, people will choose it.
Challenges and the Future
Of course, not all cities are cycling utopias. Many places still lack safe bike lanes, forcing cyclists to share dangerous roads with cars and motorbikes. Theft and a lack of secure bike parking are also major concerns for many. To truly make cycling a primary mode of transport, cities must invest in this infrastructure. The future of urban mobility depends on creating a safe and efficient balance between cars, public transport, and sustainable options like cycling.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Activity 1: Skimming Practice (Main Idea)
Task: Skim the text above. You have 30 seconds. What is the main idea of the entire article?
Activity 2: Scanning Practice (Specific Details)
Task: Now, scan the text to find the answers to these questions as quickly as possible. Type your answers.
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Urban
Relating to a city or town.
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Commuter
A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.
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Sustainable
Able to be continued long-term; good for the environment.
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Infrastructure
The basic physical systems of a country, like roads and bridges.
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Congested
So crowded with traffic or people as to hinder movement.
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Utopia
An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Skim & Scan the News
- Go to an English news website (like VOA, BBC, or Al Jazeera).
- Skim: Look at the homepage for 30 seconds. What is the biggest news story of the day?
- Scan: Click on that story. Quickly scan the text to find: a) a person's name, b) a place name, and c) a number or date.
This exercise trains your brain to switch between getting the "big picture" and hunting for specific details.