Skimming and Scanning
BasicSkimming and Scanning.
- Skim for the gist: title + first/last paragraphs + topic sentences
- Scan for details: circle the keyword → sweep for numbers → read only those lines
- Facts hiding in the passage: eight books · three weeks · a one-dollar fine a day · 2345 6789
文體小知識：Skim for main idea; scan for specific details.
§Text Passage
1The new public library opens on 1 November at 123 Garden Road, right next to the MTR exit. The library replaces the old one, which closed for renovation last summer. It has five floors, and every floor serves a different purpose. Ground floor: children's section, family reading corner and baby care room. Level 1: fiction, comics and the popular young adult collection. Level 2: non-fiction, reference books and computers for online study.
2Level 3: eight quiet study rooms, which can be booked online for two hours at a time. Level 4: a small café selling drinks and sandwiches. Rooftop: reading garden with seats, plants and free Wi-Fi. Opening hours: 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 9 pm on weekends and public holidays. Membership is free for all Hong Kong residents.
3To join, bring your ID card and a proof of address to the service counter. Students can borrow up to eight books for three weeks. Remember to return them on time, or a fine of one dollar per day will be charged. Free activities this month: a story-telling hour for children, a talk on study skills and a book swap. The library also welcomes volunteers who love books. For enquiries, call 2345 6789 or visit our website.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
The new public library opens on 1 November at 123 Garden Road, right next to the MTR exit.
新公共圖書館在十一月一日開幕，地址是花園道一二三號，就在港鐵出口旁邊。
The library replaces the old one, which closed for renovation last summer.
這間圖書館取代了去年暑假因為翻新而關閉的舊館。
It has five floors, and every floor serves a different purpose.
圖書館樓高五層，每一層都有不同用途。
Ground floor: children's section, family reading corner and baby care room.
地下：兒童區、親子閱讀角同育嬰室。
Level 1: fiction, comics and the popular young adult collection.
一樓：小說、漫畫同最受歡迎的青少年藏書。
Level 2: non-fiction, reference books and computers for online study.
二樓：非小說類、參考書同供網上學習的電腦。
Level 3: eight quiet study rooms, which can be booked online for two hours at a time.
三樓：八間安靜自修室，可以網上預約，每次兩個小時。
Level 4: a small café selling drinks and sandwiches.
四樓：一間賣飲品同三文治的小咖啡室。
Rooftop: reading garden with seats, plants and free Wi-Fi.
天台：閱讀花園，有座位、植物同免費Wi-Fi。
Opening hours: 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 9 pm on weekends and public holidays.
開放時間：平日朝九晚十，週末同公眾假期朝九晚九。
Membership is free for all Hong Kong residents.
所有香港居民都可以免費入會。
To join, bring your ID card and a proof of address to the service counter.
想入會，帶你的身份證同住址證明去服務台即可。
Students can borrow up to eight books for three weeks.
學生可以借最多八本書，借期三個星期。
Remember to return them on time, or a fine of one dollar per day will be charged.
記得準時還書，過期每天罰款一元。
Free activities this month: a story-telling hour for children, a talk on study skills and a book swap.
這個月免費活動：兒童講故事時間、讀書技巧講座同舊書交換。
The library also welcomes volunteers who love books.
圖書館亦歡迎喜愛書本的義工。
For enquiries, call 2345 6789 or visit our website.
查詢請致電2345 6789或者瀏覽我們的網站。
1Summary 重點摘要
Skimming and Scanning.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Read quickly for gist.
Search for specific info.
Main idea.
Title.
Important word.
Section.
General look.
Find.
3Step by step Steps
- SkimSkimming finds the gist: read the title, the first and last paragraphs and the topic sentences — one to two minutes. Example: the title and opening line already tell you a new public library opens on 1 November.
- QuestionKnow what to look for before you search. Example: if the question asks about opening hours, circle opening hours, 9 am and 10 pm — without a target your eyes slow down.
- ScanScanning finds details: sweep your eyes fast for keywords. Example: for borrowing rules, hunt for borrow, eight books and three weeks, jumping across lines — never read word by word.
- Read closelySlow down only on the located lines. Example: once you find a fine of one dollar per day will be charged, stop and check the units (one dollar, per day) before answering; ignore everything else.
- Passage dataScan targets in this passage: weekdays 9 am–10 pm and weekends 9 am–9 pm; students borrow eight books for three weeks; the fine is one dollar per day; enquiries 2345 6789 — all findable by sweeping for numbers.
- Gist questionsAnswer gist questions with skimming only: the main idea is a new library opening on 1 November at 123 Garden Road, five floors with different purposes and free membership — a few topic sentences cover it all.
- Time strategyExam plan: skim the structure in one or two minutes, read the questions and circle keywords, then scan for answers. Skip unknown words, stop as soon as each answer is found, and do not read on.
5Worked example Example
Use scanning on the new library passage to find three facts: (1) the opening hours, (2) how many books students may borrow and for how long, (3) the late fine.
- Step 1: Circle the question keywords — opening hours · borrow · fine.
- Step 2: Sweep your eyes for numbers and time words — 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays…
- Step 3: You find borrow up to eight books for three weeks.
- Step 4: You find a fine of one dollar per day will be charged.
- Step 5: Check the units (hours / books / dollars) before answering.
- Answer: The library opens from 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 9 pm on weekends and public holidays. Students can borrow up to eight books for three weeks. A fine of one dollar per day is charged for late returns. Scanning in three moves: circle the keywords, sweep for numbers, check the units — no need to read every word.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Purpose of skimming?
Q2Purpose of scanning?
Q3What to read when skimming?
Q4How to scan?
Q5When in exam?
Q6Do you read every word?
Q7When does the library open?
Q8How many floors?
Q9What is on the ground floor?
8Recap Recap
- Skim for the gist: title + first/last paragraphs + topic sentences
- Scan for details: circle the keyword → sweep for numbers → read only those lines
- Facts hiding in the passage: eight books · three weeks · a one-dollar fine a day · 2345 6789
- Read the questions first so you know what to look for
- Stop as soon as you find each answer; ignore the rest