Reading: Skimming & Scanning: B1 Lesson 2: Efficiently Locating Multiple Pieces of Specific Information Across Paragraphs

Reading: Skimming & Scanning

B1 Lesson 2: Efficiently Locating Multiple Pieces of Specific Information Across Paragraphs

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Reading Efficiently

In our last lesson, we learned the "Skim-Then-Scan" strategy. Today, we will use this strategy to find the answers to multiple³ questions.

The goal is to be efficient¹. This means you don't need to re-read the whole text for every question. You will use your mental map to jump directly to the correct paragraph and locate² the answer.

Strategy: Answering Multiple Questions

1. Skim the Entire Text First: Read the title, subheadings, and first sentence of each paragraph to create a mental map of the content.
2. Read Question 1: Identify the keywords in the first question.
3. Locate & Scan: Use your mental map to go to the correct paragraph. Scan that paragraph for the answer.
4. Read Question 2: Identify the new keywords. Jump to the correct paragraph for *this* question and scan for the new answer. Repeat for all questions.

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Practice Text: Durian, The King of Fruits

First, let's skim the text below to create our mental map. Notice the topic of each paragraph.

Appearance and Aroma

The durian is a large, tropical fruit known for its unique appearance. Its exterior is a hard, spiky husk, usually green or brownish in color. However, the durian is most famous for its powerful and distinctive aroma, which many people find overwhelming. Because of the strong smell, it is often banned from hotels and public transport.

Taste and Texture

For those who can get past the smell, the reward is a rich and complex flavor. The edible part, called the flesh, is soft and creamy, often compared to a thick custard. The taste is a unique combination of sweet and savory notes, which makes it a favorite dessert ingredient across Southeast Asia.

Durian in Kampot

While found in many countries, Kampot province is a particularly famous region for growing high-quality durian. The durian season in Kampot typically runs from June to August. A famous landmark in the middle of the city is the Durian Roundabout, which features a giant statue of the fruit, showing its cultural importance.

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Guided Practice

Let's find the answers to these questions efficiently.

• Question 1: What is the texture of durian flesh often compared to?
  Strategy: The keyword is "texture". My mental map tells me Paragraph 2, "Taste and Texture," is the right place. I will scan that paragraph.
  Answer: A thick custard.
• Question 2: What famous landmark in Kampot is shaped like a durian?
  Strategy: The keywords are "landmark" and "Kampot". My mental map points to Paragraph 3, "Durian in Kampot." I will scan that paragraph.
  Answer: The Durian Roundabout.
• Question 3: Why is durian often banned from hotels?
  Strategy: The keyword is "banned from hotels". My mental map suggests Paragraph 1, "Appearance and Aroma," which mentions the smell. I will scan that paragraph.
  Answer: Because of the strong smell.

Your Turn to Practice!

Practice Quiz

Use the "Skim-Then-Scan" strategy on the article about Durian above to answer these questions.

1. In which months is the durian season in Kampot?
2. What does the exterior (outside) of a durian look like?

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Answers:
1. (I scan the "Durian in Kampot" paragraph for months) June to August.
2. (I scan the "Appearance and Aroma" paragraph for descriptions of the outside) A hard, spiky husk, usually green or brownish.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Efficiently (adverb)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ប្រកបដោយប្រសិទ្ធភាព
   To do something in a way that is fast and effective, without wasting time or energy. ↩ back to text
2. Locate (verb)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: កំណត់ទីតាំង
   To find the exact position or place of something in a text. ↩ back to text
3. Multiple (adjective)
   ភាសាខ្មែរ: ច្រើន
   More than one; several. ↩ back to text

Homework Task

Practice with a Real Article!

Find an English article online with a title and at least three paragraphs (you can use a news site like VOA Learning English).

1. Skim the article to create your mental map. What is the topic of each paragraph?
2. Write down three questions about specific details in the article. Each question should be from a different paragraph.
3. Practice answering your own questions by jumping to the correct paragraph each time.