Reading: Skimming & Scanning (Efficiently)
B2 Lesson 1: Quickly Grasping Main Arguments of Complex Texts
Listen to an explanation of this skill.
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
Let's define our key skills for this lesson.
The 4-Step Skimming Strategy for Arguments
To find the main argument, don't read every word. Follow this plan. It's like finding the "bones" of the text.
- 1Read the Title & Subheadings
They tell you the topic and the author's general direction.
-
2Read the Full Introduction (First Paragraph)
Look for the thesis statement. This is the main argument, often found at the end of the intro.
-
3Read the First Sentence Only of Each Body Paragraph
These are the topic sentences. They outline the supporting points for the main argument.
-
4Read the Full Conclusion (Last Paragraph)
The author will restate their main argument here, often using new words.
Skimming Walkthrough
Let's practice this strategy on the text below. We will *only* read the highlighted parts.
The Remote Work Revolution: A Double-Edged Sword?
As the global workforce adapts to new technologies, the rise of remote work has become a central topic of debate. For many employees, it represents a new era of freedom and work-life balance. However, many companies are grappling with its long-term implications. While it offers unparalleled flexibility, I argue that the erosion of company culture and spontaneous innovation presents a significant, often overlooked, threat to long-term success.
On one hand, the benefits for employee well-being are undeniable. Studies have shown that employees who work from home report lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction. They save time and money on commuting and can create a personalized, comfortable work environment. This flexibility is a powerful tool for talent retention.
However, this new model is not without its critical drawbacks, especially for new employees. Onboarding a new team member remotely is challenging. It is difficult to build strong relationships or learn the company's unwritten rules through video calls alone. This can lead to a feeling of isolation and a weaker connection to the team's mission.
The most significant risk, in my view, is the slow decay of collaborative culture. True innovation often happens in spontaneous, unplanned conversations—by the coffee machine or after a meeting. These "water-cooler moments" are nearly impossible to replicate in a scheduled Zoom call. Without this casual interaction, creativity can stagnate.
In conclusion, while the shift to remote work is an irreversible trend, we must approach it with caution. The immediate gains in employee happiness are clear, but they must be carefully weighed against the hidden, long-term costs of a fractured corporate identity. Therefore, companies must actively invest in new ways to build culture and foster innovation, or they may find their short-term solution has created a long-term problem.
Skimming Result:
By reading only 5 sentences, we found the main argument:
Main Argument: The author argues that while remote work improves flexibility (Intro/Para 1), it's a major threat to company culture and innovation (Intro/Para 3/Conclusion), so companies must find new ways to fix this (Conclusion).
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Practice Quiz: Skim for the Main Argument
You have 60 seconds! Skim the text below using the 4-step strategy, then answer the question.
The Problem with Fast Fashion
The global clothing industry has never been more productive. Thanks to "fast fashion," consumers can buy new, trendy styles for incredibly low prices. This model, however, is built on a foundation that is becoming increasingly unstable. While convenient for consumers, the rapid, low-cost production of fast fashion has devastating environmental and human consequences that are no longer sustainable.
From an environmental perspective, the impact is staggering. Fast fashion relies heavily on synthetic materials like polyester, which is derived from fossil fuels. Furthermore, the dyeing and treatment of fabrics pollute rivers with toxic chemicals, while the sheer volume of clothing produced leads to millions of tons of textile waste in landfills each year, as items are worn only a few times before being discarded.
The human cost is equally concerning. To keep prices low, manufacturing is almost exclusively outsourced to countries with minimal labor protections. Garment workers, often women, are subjected to unsafe factory conditions and paid wages that are insufficient to live on. This creates a cycle of poverty that is directly funded by the consumer's desire for a cheap t-shirt.
In summary, the convenience of fast fashion is a trade-off that we can no longer afford to make. The industry's reliance on pollution, waste, and exploitation is a direct threat to both the planet and its people. It is essential for consumers to shift their habits towards more sustainable options and demand greater accountability from these global brands.
Based on your skimming, what is the author's MAIN ARGUMENT?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
-
Skimming
Reading very quickly to get the main idea (gist) of a text.
-
Scanning
Reading very quickly to find a *specific piece* of information (like a name or date).
-
Thesis / Main Argument
The author's primary opinion or claim in an argumentative text.
-
Topic Sentence
The first sentence of a body paragraph that summarizes that paragraph's idea.
-
Implication
A conclusion that is suggested without being said directly.
-
Erosion (of culture)
The slow destruction or weakening of something.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Practice the 4-Step Strategy
- Find an English news article (e.g., from *The Phnom Penh Post* English, *BBC News*, or *The Guardian*).
- Give yourself 90 seconds to skim it using the 4-step strategy (Title, Intro, First Sentences, Conclusion).
- After 90 seconds, stop. Write down what you believe the author's main argument is in one single sentence.
This will feel difficult at first, but it trains your brain to ignore details and find the core message.