Reading: Skimming & Scanning (Efficiently)
B2 Lesson 2: Systematically Scanning Longer and More Dense Texts for Specific Information
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
This lesson is about scanning. Let's learn the key terms.
The 4-Step Framework for Systematic Scanning
At a B2 level, you don't read from start to finish. You use a system to hunt for the answer. Follow these steps before you read the text.
Read the question first. What *exactly* are you looking for? (A name? A number? A reason? A place?)
e.g., "What percentage... from the DRC?" → I'm looking for a number (%) and a place (DRC).
Identify the main keywords in the question. How else could the text say this?
e.g., Question says "annual revenue." The text might say "yearly earnings," "annual income," or "sales per year."
Use "signposts" (headings, subheadings, bold text) to find the *only* part of the text you need to read.
e.g., If the question is about "Cobalt," skip the "Lithium" section and go straight to the "Cobalt Supply" heading.
Move your eyes quickly in an 'S' or 'Z' pattern over that section. Do not read every word. Stop only when you see your keyword or synonym.
e.g., Sweep... sweep... sweep... found "DRC"... sweep... found "70%". That's the answer.
Practice Task: Scan the Article
You have 2 minutes to find the answers to the 4 questions below. Read the questions *first*, then find the answers in the text. Write your answers in the quiz section after the article.
- What is the specific percentage given for the world's cobalt supply from the DRC?
- What is the primary cause of 'bottlenecks' mentioned in the text?
- What alternative material is being researched for batteries?
- Which three regions are listed as the main "assembly hubs"?
The Global Electronics Supply Chain
Introduction: A Complex Web
The smartphone or laptop you use every day is the product of a vast and complex global supply chain. This network involves mining, processing, manufacturing, and logistics, stretching across multiple continents. Understanding this chain reveals the interconnected nature of our modern economy. While efficient, this system is also notoriously vulnerable to disruption, as seen in recent years.
Part 1: Raw Material Extraction
Every electronic device begins as raw materials. Key components rely on rare-earth minerals. For instance, lithium is essential for batteries, primarily extracted in Australia and Chile. Cobalt, another critical battery component, is heavily concentrated in one region. A staggering 70% of the world's supply originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), often under difficult conditions. This concentration of resources creates significant risk. In response, many tech firms are actively funding research into new battery compositions, such as sodium-ion, to reduce this dependency.
Part 2: Manufacturing and Assembly
After extraction, these materials are refined and shipped to manufacturing plants. The most complex components, like microchips, are produced in highly specialized facilities. These microchips are subsequently sent to massive factories known as "assembly hubs," which are concentrated in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. These hubs are marvels of efficiency but are also where major bottlenecks can occur. The primary cause for these delays is often not technology, but labor shortages or new government regulations, which can halt production overnight.
Part 3: Logistics and Distribution
Finally, the assembled products are packaged and shipped globally. This phase relies on maritime shipping and air freight. Any disruption, such as a blocked canal or a closure at a major port, can have a ripple effect, delaying products for months. Companies are now exploring "regional diversification"—spreading out their assembly plants—to mitigate these risks, though this process is incredibly expensive and slow.
Check Your Answers 🎯
Based on your scanning, type the specific answers into the boxes below. (Spelling counts!)
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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To Scan
To look over a text quickly to find a specific piece of information.
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Keyword
The main word in a question that you should look for in the text.
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Synonym
A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another (e.g., "yearly" for "annual").
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Signpost
A heading, subheading, or bold word that guides you to the right section.
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Dense (text)
Text that contains a lot of complex information in a small space.
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Bottleneck
A point of blockage or delay in a system or process.
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Diversification
The strategy of spreading out or varying to reduce risk.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
The 60-Second Challenge
Your mission is to practice scanning under pressure.
- Find a long article online (e.g., a Wikipedia page or a major news site like BBC or The Guardian).
- Before reading, write down 3 specific questions you want to answer (e.g., "What was the name of the CEO?", "How much did the project cost?", "In what year did the event happen?").
- Set a timer for 60 seconds per question.
- Use the 4-step framework to find *only* the answers. Do not read the article!
This trains your brain to ignore irrelevant information and hunt for keywords.