Skimming and Scanning
FoundationSkim fast for the gist; scan fast for one specific piece of information like a time or a name.
- Skim = the gist from title and first/last lines; Scan = one specific fact (time, length, name)
- Scan in three moves: circle the keyword → sweep for numbers / names → stop when found
- Facts in the passage: 8.5 km · three to four hours · October to March
文體小知識：Read fast, find fast.
§Text Passage
1The Dragon's Back is one of the most popular hiking trails in Hong Kong, and many tourists say it is the best urban hike in Asia. It is located on Hong Kong Island, between Chai Wan and Big Wave Bay. The trail is about 8.5 kilometres long, and it takes three to four hours to complete. You can start from Shek O Road and follow the signs along the ridge. Thousands of hikers walk the trail every month, especially on Sunday mornings.
2Along the way, you can see the South China Sea, Shek O Beach and the green islands below. The path goes up and down like the back of a dragon, which gives the trail its name. On a clear day, photographers stand at the top for an hour, waiting for the perfect shot. The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is cool and dry. Summer hikes are dangerous because the sun is strong.
3Before you go, remember to bring enough water, a sun hat and some snacks. Wear comfortable shoes, and check the weather report the night before. The nearest bus stop is at the start of the trail, and the last bus leaves before ten at night. Bring your phone, but keep your eyes on the path. Happy hiking!
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
The Dragon's Back is one of the most popular hiking trails in Hong Kong, and many tourists say it is the best urban hike in Asia.
龍脊是香港最受歡迎的行山徑之一，很多遊客說它是全亞洲最佳的市區遠足路線。
It is located on Hong Kong Island, between Chai Wan and Big Wave Bay.
它位於香港島，在柴灣同大浪灣之間。
The trail is about 8.5 kilometres long, and it takes three to four hours to complete.
這條山徑大約八點五公里長，走完要三至四小時。
You can start from Shek O Road and follow the signs along the ridge.
你可以由石澳道出發，跟著指示牌沿山脊走。
Thousands of hikers walk the trail every month, especially on Sunday mornings.
每個月都有幾千人行這條山徑，星期日早上人尤其多。
Along the way, you can see the South China Sea, Shek O Beach and the green islands below.
沿途你可以看到南中國海、石澳泳灘同下面那些綠油油的小島。
The path goes up and down like the back of a dragon, which gives the trail its name.
這條路起伏不定，就好像龍的背一樣，所以有了這個名字。
On a clear day, photographers stand at the top for an hour, waiting for the perfect shot.
天清氣朗的日子，攝影師會在山頂站足一小時，等拍出漂亮的照片。
The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is cool and dry.
最佳的到訪時間是十月至三月，那時天氣又涼又乾爽。
Summer hikes are dangerous because the sun is strong.
夏天行山很危險，因為陽光太猛烈。
Before you go, remember to bring enough water, a sun hat and some snacks.
出發之前，記得帶足夠的水、太陽帽同零食。
Wear comfortable shoes, and check the weather report the night before.
要穿一雙舒服的鞋，前一晚還要看天氣報告。
The nearest bus stop is at the start of the trail, and the last bus leaves before ten at night.
最近的巴士站就在山徑起點，尾班車晚上十點前開出。
Bring your phone, but keep your eyes on the path.
記得帶電話，但眼睛要看著路。
Happy hiking!
行山愉快！
1Summary 重點摘要
Skim fast for the gist; scan fast for one specific piece of information like a time or a name.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Quick read for main idea.
Look for specific info.
Search word.
Skip words.
Specific fact.
Title.
Section title.
Find page.
3Step by step Steps
- SkimRead the title plus the first sentence of each paragraph — in thirty seconds you have the gist: the Dragon's Back is Hong Kong's most popular trail, the views are great, and you need to prepare.
- ScanCircle the question's key words, then sweep your eyes for numbers and names: How long is the trail? → find 8.5 kilometres, three to four hours — stop the moment you see them.
- DifferenceSkim for the main idea (never word by word); scan for one fact (no need to understand everything). 'How long…?' means scan; 'What is the passage about?' means skim.
- Scanning targetsNumbers and capitalised names stand out: 8.5 km, October to March, Shek O Road. Skip every other sentence once you have your answer.
- Skipping detailsScenery does not answer fact questions: The path goes up and down like the back of a dragon explains the name. But the last bus leaves before ten might be exactly what you need.
- Match question typeTime questions (When is the best time?) → scan for months; quantity questions (How long?) → scan for numbers; place questions → scan for names like Shek O Road.
- Hidden detail trapAnswers can hide in reason sentences: Summer hikes are dangerous because the sun is strong. If the question asks why, read the because part too.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Use scanning to find facts: according to the Dragon's Back passage, how long is the trail, how long does it take, and which months are best?
- Step 1: Read the questions first and circle keywords — length, how long, best time.
- Step 2: Do not read every word; sweep your eyes down for numbers and months.
- Step 3: You find 8.5 kilometres — that answers the length question.
- Step 4: You find three to four hours — that answers the time question.
- Step 5: You find from October to March — that answers the best-season question. Check the units, then answer.
- Answer: The Dragon's Back is 8.5 kilometres long, it takes three to four hours, and the best time to visit is from October to March, when the weather is cool and dry. Scanning means you never read every word: circle the keywords in the questions first, sweep down for numbers and dates, stop as soon as you find each answer, and skip the scenery descriptions completely.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is skimming?
Q2What is scanning?
Q3What do you look for?
Q4What is a headline?
Q5What is an index?
Q6How long is the Dragon's Back?
Q7When is the best time?
Q8What should you bring?
8Recap Recap
- Skim = the gist from title and first/last lines; Scan = one specific fact (time, length, name)
- Scan in three moves: circle the keyword → sweep for numbers / names → stop when found
- Facts in the passage: 8.5 km · three to four hours · October to March
- Skip unrelated sentences while scanning — scenery and crowd details are not answers
- From the passage: summer hikes are dangerous because the sun is strong — reasons hide details too