Rt/L1.

Scanning text

You can use the scanning technique to look up a phone number, read through the small ads in a
newspaper, or for browsing television schedules, timetables, lists, catalogues or webpages for
information. For these tasks you don’t need to read or understand every word.

Scanning is also useful when you don’t have time to read every word. This could be when you’re
studying or looking for specific information from a book or article and need to find it quickly.

Tips: better scanning

• Don’t try to read every word. Instead let your eyes move quickly across the page until you
find what you’re looking for.
• Use clues on the page, such as headings and titles, to help you.
• In a dictionary or phone book, use the header words to help you scan. You can find these
in bold type at the top of each page.
• If you’re reading for study, start by thinking up or writing down some questions that you
want to answer. Doing this can focus your mind and help you find the facts or information
that you need more easily.
• Many texts list things in alphabetical order from A to Z. These include everyday materials,
such as the phone book or indexes to books and catalogues.
• There are many ways to practise scanning skills. Try looking up a favourite recipe in the
index of a cookbook, search for a plumber in your local Yellow Pages or scan webpages on
the internet to find specific information.

© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Skimming text

 
Skimming is a reading technique that can help you:

• read more quickly

• decide if the text is interesting and whether you should read it in more detail

You can use the skimming technique when you want to identify the main ideas in the text.

How is skimming different to scanning?

The term skimming is often confused with scanning.

• You skim a text to obtain the gist - the overall sense - of a piece of writing. This can help
you decide whether to read it more slowly and in more detail.
• You scan a text to obtain specific information. For example, to find a particular number in a
telephone directory.

Sometimes you can use both reading methods. After you’ve skimmed a piece of text to decide
whether it’s of interest, you might then use scanning techniques to find specific information.

How do you skim read?

When you use the skimming technique you don’t read the whole text word for word. You should
use as many clues as possible to give you some background information. There might be
pictures or images related to the topic, or an eye-catching title. Let your eyes skim over the
surface of the text and look out for key words while thinking about any clues you’ve found about
the subject.

• Read the title, subtitles and subheadings to find out what the text is about.
• Look at the illustrations to give you more information about the topic.
• Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph.
• Don’t read every word or every sentence. Let your eyes skim over the text and look out
for key words.
• Continue to think about the meaning of the text.

© BBC 2011
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Rt/E3.7

Skimming and scanning

 
When you’re reading you don’t have to read everything with the same amount of care and
attention. Sometimes you need to be able to read a text very quickly.

For example, to look up the word ‘valuable’ in the dictionary you wouldn’t start at the letter A and
read every word. The most efficient way is to turn to the letter V and then find the words beginning
with va-.

This is called scanning through the dictionary. Scanning is one type of fast reading.

Skimming is another type of fast reading. You might use skimming to look through a text quickly
to get the gist (the general idea). So, if you want to know what’s going on in the news, you might
skim through a newspaper or a news website. You wouldn’t have much detail but you would find
out the main points.

Skimming and scanning are both quick reading techniques but they have different purposes.

You might use scanning to:

• look up a word in a dictionary or index

• find an address or a phone number in a directory
• check what time your programme is on television
• look up details or prices in a catalogue
• pick out the website you want from options on a Google search

You might use skimming to:

• see what’s in the news in a paper or on a website

• browse through a book to see if you want to read it
• look through the television guide to see what’s on one evening
• flick through a catalogue to see what’s on offer
• look through the options given on a Google search to see what sites it suggests

© BBC 2011
Skimming and scanning the news
We read in different ways. You don’t always need to read every word. Sometimes you leave bits out.

You can skim

to find out what
it is all about.

Headings and
pictures can
help you do
this.

Or you can scan

to look for
important
information.

Look for key words

or numbers to help
you do this.

Entry 1 & 2 Factsheet bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Scanning a recipe

When you are reading a recipe it can be useful to scan it first:

To check the ingredients you need.

To see how long it will take to cook.

To know when to switch the oven on.

You should be able to find all this information in the recipe.

Entry 1 & 2 Factsheet bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Scanning a recipe
Mild chicken tikka masala
By Matthew Martin

10 minutes preparation time

30 minutes cooking time

Serves 4-6

Ingredients To garnish

• 500g boneless chicken • Flat leaf parsley

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil • A lemon (cut into

• Half an onion or 2 shallots wedges)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 large jar tikka masala sauce

• 100ml plain yoghurt

Method

1. Fry the onion and garlic gently in the oil. Add the chicken pieces
and fry until golden brown and cooked all the way through.

2. Add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Add the yoghurt and stir through the sauce.

4. Serve the chicken with rice.

Entry 1 & 2 Worksheet bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Page 1 of 2
Scan through the recipe to find the answers to these questions.

1) Whose recipe is this? ......................................................................

2) How many cloves of garlic are used? ..............................................

3) What comes in a jar? ......................................................................

4) How long should you simmer the sauce? .......................................

5) What should you serve the chicken with? .......................................

Entry 1 & 2 Worksheet bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Page 2 of 2
 Rt/E3.7

Scanning text to find information quickly

 
Have a go at scanning this BBC television guide to answer the questions. See how quickly you
can find the information you need.

19.00 The One 19.00 Escape to the 19.00 Top Gear 19.00 World News
Show country Today
The team sets out to
The One Show team A couple from end the chaos that The latest news,
bring viewers the Wimbledon want to snowfall brings to exploring the day’s
stories that matter escape the suburbs Britain every year. events from a global
from across the for countryside living perspective.
country. in East Sussex.
19.30 Waterloo 19.30 Springwatch 19.30 Born to be
Road Wild
Iolo Williams takes
Sambuca enlists to the water to We meet the
Lauren and Finn’s reveal puffins at amateur naturalist
help to track her their best - diving for who has turned his
father down in fish. garden into a lizard
Blackpool. empire.
20.27 BBC News 20.00 Great Movie 20.00 Explosions:
and Regional News Mistakes How We Shook the
World
The latest national Robert Webb
and international uncovers the Engineer Jem
news stories from clangers and gaffes Stansfield
the BBC, followed in Hollywood’s investigates the
by the weather. biggest science of
blockbusters. explosions.
20.30 In with the 20.30 Springwatch
Flynns Unsprung

Liam and Caroline Kate Humble, Chris

work extra shifts, but Packham and Iolo
who is looking after Williams answer
the kids? audience questions.

1
© BBC 2011
 Rt/E3.7

Scanning text to find information quickly

21.00 The 21.00 Wonderland 21.00 Cannabis: 21.00 Hidcote: A

Apprentice What’s the Harm? Garden for All
Film that climbs Seasons
Lord Sugar instructs aboard with four Exploring the world
the teams to build families as they take of organised crime The story behind
junk collection to the road. linked to the supply Hidcote, the most
businesses. of cannabis in the influential English
UK. garden of the 20th
century.
22.00 BBC News at 22.00 The 22.00 Kill Bill: Vol 2 22.00 Nurse Jackie
Ten Apprentice: You’re
Fired The assassin, The After breaking up
Latest national and Bride, concludes her with Eddie, Jackie
international news, This week’s task of ruthless quest for tries to reconnect
with reports from making money from revenge against her with her family.
BBC correspondents rubbish ended with nemesis.
worldwide. someone being
dumped.

1. If you miss the news at 19.00, when can you next catch the news?

2. If you’re interested in gardening, what programme might you look out for?

3. What time, and on which channel, would you catch The Apprentice?

4. When, and on which channel, can you see the weather forecast?

5. At what time, and on which channel, can you settle down to watch a film?

2
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Skimming text

 
Skimming is a reading technique that can help you:

• read more quickly

• decide if the text is interesting and whether you should read it in more detail

You can use the skimming technique when you want to identify the main ideas in the text.

How is skimming different to scanning?

The term skimming is often confused with scanning.

• You skim a text to obtain the gist - the overall sense - of a piece of writing. This can help
you decide whether to read it more slowly and in more detail.
• You scan a text to obtain specific information. For example, to find a particular number in a
telephone directory.

Sometimes you can use both reading methods. After you’ve skimmed a piece of text to decide
whether it’s of interest, you might then use scanning techniques to find specific information.

How do you skim read?

When you use the skimming technique you don’t read the whole text word for word. You should
use as many clues as possible to give you some background information. There might be
pictures or images related to the topic, or an eye-catching title. Let your eyes skim over the
surface of the text and look out for key words while thinking about any clues you’ve found about
the subject.

• Read the title, subtitles and subheadings to find out what the text is about.
• Look at the illustrations to give you more information about the topic.
• Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph.
• Don’t read every word or every sentence. Let your eyes skim over the text and look out
for key words.
• Continue to think about the meaning of the text.

© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a job advertisement

 
First of all print out this Skillswise Delivery Services job advert.

Skillswise Delivery Services is looking for extra staff before Christmas. Scan the advert quickly
and try to find the answers to these questions. Remember, you don’t need to read every word.

1
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a job advertisement

 
Questions

1. When do these jobs start?

2. The work will last for about a month. True or false?

3. What type of work is on offer?

4. What kind of people is Skillswise Delivery Services looking for?

5. What shift patterns are available?

6. Where is the job based?

7. The work involves travel around the UK. True or false?

8. How much will you earn per hour if you are aged 18?

9. True or false? You will be paid extra for working on Saturday. True or false?

10. Whom should you contact at Skillswise Delivery Services to get an application form?

11. You can leave a message on an answering machine. True or false?

12. You need to be able to work at short notice. True or false?

13. It is 1 November. Is there still time to apply for a job?

14. The minimum age for this job is 18. True or false?

15. Do you need a driving licence to apply for a job with Skillswise Delivery Services?

2
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a school prospectus

1
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a school prospectus

First of all print out the Portham Village School prospectus. Then scan the prospectus to find
the answers to the questions.

1. If your child is ill, who should you telephone?

2. Which school year does this prospectus relate to?

3. Who has stated that children shouldn’t take holidays during term time?

4. Children can attend the dentist during school hours. True or false?

5. Can girls wear stud earrings?

6. What colour is the school tie?

7. Children have to be in which school years to attend archery?

8. Can children wear trainers in school?

9. On which page will you find information about exams?

10. How often is the budget uniform shop open?

2
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Skimming a school prospectus

Print out the Portham Village School prospectus then skim read it to answer the questions.

1
© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Skimming a school prospectus

1. Is the prospectus aimed at children or parents?

2. Would you use the prospectus to:

a. find directions to the school?

b. find out what time the school opens?

c. find out about school uniform?

3. As well as illness, which issues does the ‘Absence’ section deal with?

4. Does the prospectus give details of the curriculum?

5. You can find out about school clubs from this prospectus. True or false?

6. The prospectus tells parents about the issues of bullying. True or false?

7. Does the prospectus give parents information about school examinations?

8. Does the prospectus tell parents how to purchase second-hand uniform?

9. Does the prospectus tell you about school lunches?

10. The prospectus gives you the telephone number to call if your child is ill. True or false?

2
© BBC 2011
Scanning a recipe - answers
Mild chicken tikka masala
By Matthew Martin

10 minutes preparation time

30 minutes cooking time

Serves 4-6

Ingredients To garnish

• 700g / 1½lb-900g / 2lbs boneless chicken • Flat leaf parsley

• 45ml / 1½fl oz / 3 tbsp vegetable oil • A lemon (cut into

• ¼ red onion or 1 shallot wedges)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 large jar tikka masala sauce

• 125ml / 4¼fl oz plain yoghurt

Method

1. Fry the onion and garlic gently in the oil. Add the chicken pieces
and fry until golden brown and cooked all the way through.

2. Add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Add the yoghurt and stir through the sauce.

4. Serve the chicken with rice.

Entry 1 & 2 Worksheet (answers) bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Page 1 of 2
Scan through the recipe to find the answers to these questions.

1) Whose recipe is this?

Matthew Martin

2) How many cloves of garlic are used?

3) What comes in a jar?

Tikka Masala sauce

4) How long should you simmer the sauce?

5 minutes

5) What should you serve the chicken with?

Rice

Entry 1 & 2 Worksheet (answers) bbc.co.uk/skillswise © BBC 2012

Page 2 of 2
 Rt/E3.7

Scanning text to find information quickly - answers

 
How quickly did you find the answers?

1. If you miss the news at 19.00, when can you next catch the news?
Correct answer: if you miss the news at 19.00, you can catch the news at 20.27 on BBC1.

2. If you’re interested in gardening, what programme might you look out for?
Correct answer: if you’re interested in gardening, you might want to watch Hidcote: A garden
for All Seasons at 21.00 on BBC4.

3. What time, on which channel would you catch The Apprentice?

Correct answer: you can catch The Apprentice at 21.00 on BBC1.

4. When, and on which channel, can you see the weather forecast?
Correct answer: you can see the Weather Forecast after the News at 20.27on BBC1.

5. At what time, and on what channel, can you settle down to watch a film?
Correct answer: there is a film called Wonderland on BBC2 at 21.00. Kill Bill: Vol 2 at 22.00
on BBC3 is also a film, although it doesn’t say this in the programme guide.

© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a job advertisement - answers

1. When do these jobs start?

Correct answer: these jobs start in late November.

2. The work will last for about a month. True or false?

Correct answer: true.

3. What type of work is on offer?

Correct answer: the type of work on offer is sorting and delivering parcels.

4. What kind of people is Skillswise Delivery Services looking for?

Correct answer: Skillswise Delivery Services is looking for enthusiastic and reliable people.

5. What shift patterns are available?

Correct answer: the available shift patterns are early, late and night shifts.

6. Where is the job based?

Correct answer: the job is based in Reading.

7. True or False? The work involves travel around the UK. True or False?
Correct answer: false.

8. How much will you earn per hour if you are aged 18?
Correct answer: if you are aged 18 you will earn £6.10 per hour.

9. You will be paid extra for working on Saturday. True or false?

Correct answer: false - Saturday is paid at the weekday rate.

10. Whom should you contact at Skillswise Delivery Services to get an application form?
Correct answer: to get an application form you should contact Elaine Grey.

11. You can leave a message on an answering machine. True or false?

Correct answer: true - you can leave a message on 0118 932 814.

12. True or false? You need to be able to work at short notice. True or false?
Correct answer: true.

13. It is 1 November. Is there still time to apply for a job?

Correct answer: yes, there is still time to apply for a job because the closing date is 10
November.

14. The minimum age for this job is 18. True or false?
Correct answer: false - the minimum age for this job is 16.

15. Do you need a driving licence to apply for a job with Skillswise Delivery Services?
Correct answer: you don’t need a driving licence to apply for a job with Skillswise Delivery
Services.

© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Scanning a school prospectus - answers

 
1. If your child is ill, who should you telephone?
Correct answer: if your child is ill, you should you telephone the school office.

2. Which school year does this prospectus relate to?

Correct answer: this prospectus relates to 2010/2011.

3. Who has stated that children shouldn’t take holidays during term time?
Correct answer: the Board of Governors has stated children shouldn’t take holidays during
term time.

4. Children can attend the dentist during school hours. True or false?
Correct answer: true - children can attend dental appointments if it is unavoidable, but parents
should try to make them outside of school time.

5. Can girls wear stud earrings?

Correct answer: yes - girls can wear stud earrings, but they must take them out for PE classes.

6. What colour is the school tie?

Correct answer: the school tie is blue and grey.

7. Which school years do children have to be in to attend archery?

Correct answer: children must be in years 1-7 to attend the archery club.

8. Can children wear trainers in school?

Correct answer: no - the prospectus says that children must not wear trainers at any time.

9. On which page will you find information about exams?

Correct answer: you will find information about exams on page 9.

10. How often is the budget uniform shop open?

Correct answer: the budget uniform shop is open once a term.

© BBC 2011
 Rt/L1.5

Skimming a school prospectus - answers

1. Is the prospectus aimed at the children or the parents?

Correct answer: The prospectus is aimed at parents - in the first sentence it says ‘your child’.

2. Would you use the prospectus to:

a. find directions to the school?
Correct answer: No, the prospectus doesn’t include directions to the school.
b. find out what time the school opens?
Correct answer: No, the prospectus doesn’t say what time the school opens.
c. find out about school uniform?
Correct answer: Yes - under the heading SCHOOL UNIFORM?

3. As well as illness, which issues does the ABSENCE section deal with?
Correct answer: As well as illness, the ABSENCE section deals with holidays.

4. Does the prospectus give details of the curriculum?

Correct answer: No, the prospectus doesn’t give details of the curriculum.

5. You can find out about school clubs from the prospectus. True or false?
Correct answer: True - this is under the heading EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

6. The prospectus tells parents about the issues of bullying. True or false?
Correct answer: False - this information isn’t included in this text.

7. Does the prospectus give parents information about school examinations?

Correct answer: Yes - the prospectus does give parents information about school
examinations. It says ‘see page 9 regarding examinations’.

8. Does the prospectus tell parents how to purchase second-hand uniform?

Correct answer: Yes - the prospectus tell parents how to purchase second-hand uniform under
the heading SCHOOL UNIFORM.

9. Does this prospectus tell you about school lunches?

Correct answer: No - the prospectus doesn’t include information about school lunches.

10. True or false? This prospectus gives you the telephone number to call if your child is ill.
Correct answer: False - the prospectus tells you to phone the school office if your child is ill,
but it doesn’t include the phone number.

© BBC 2011