Reading for gist means understanding the overall message without stopping at every unfamiliar word.
Look at the title, opening, repeated ideas and ending, then decide what the text mainly explains or argues.
A topic names the subject, but a main idea says something about that subject.
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Easy / Start here
A text's topic can be school travel, while its main idea may be that a safer walking route benefits learners.
Moderate / Add a little
A useful heading covers the paragraph's point, not just one example.
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Reading for gist means understanding the overall message without stopping at every unfamiliar word. Look at the title, opening, repeated ideas and ending, then decide what the text mainly explains or argues. A topic names the subject, but a main idea says something about that subject. A detail may be true and memorable without representing the whole passage. Headings should cover the important content of their paragraph rather than one small example.
Read once for the broad meaning and again to confirm it with evidence. An unfamiliar word can often be left temporarily if the surrounding meaning remains clear. Do not choose a heading simply because it repeats a word from the paragraph. Ask whether the heading explains the paragraph's purpose. In your own one-sentence summary, preserve the writer's main point and avoid adding an opinion which does not appear in the source.
In General English, apply the method to study, community participation and future opportunities. The model is fictional teaching material, so personal applications must use truthful facts. Choose a suitable level of detail for a reader who may not share your background knowledge.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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Scanning means searching quickly for a particular name, date, number or fact.
First identify exactly what the question asks, then locate likely words or equivalent expressions in the text.
Slow down when you reach the relevant sentence and read nearby information.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
A notice can distinguish the event date from the closing date for registration.
Moderate / Add a little
After locating a matching number, read nearby words to check what the number measures.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
Scanning means searching quickly for a particular name, date, number or fact. First identify exactly what the question asks, then locate likely words or equivalent expressions in the text. Slow down when you reach the relevant sentence and read nearby information. A matching word is a clue rather than proof: the question and text may discuss different people or times. Note headings and layout because they help you predict where information appears.
In a timetable or notice, check units, dates and exceptions before answering. An old schedule may be mentioned only to explain a change. Copy a short answer accurately when exact wording is appropriate, and obey any stated word limit. If the required information is absent, do not fill the gap with outside knowledge. Good scanning combines speed in searching with careful reading at the point where the answer is found.
In General English, apply the method to study, community participation and future opportunities. The model is fictional teaching material, so personal applications must use truthful facts. Choose a suitable level of detail for a reader who may not share your background knowledge.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
Optional extra unit worksheet
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A summary selects the main relevant ideas and expresses them more briefly.
First identify the task's focus, then distinguish essential points from illustrations, repetition and background detail.
Group related points and write connected sentences in your own words where possible.
See it. Say it. Understand it.
Easy / Start here
A summary keeps the main relevant ideas, removes repeated examples and preserves qualifications.
Moderate / Add a little
Own words should change expression without changing facts or the writer's position.
More detail for teachers and confident learners
A summary selects the main relevant ideas and expresses them more briefly. First identify the task's focus, then distinguish essential points from illustrations, repetition and background detail. Group related points and write connected sentences in your own words where possible. Keep names, numbers and technical terms accurate when they are necessary. A summary should represent the source rather than add your opinion.
Do not shorten a passage merely by deleting every second sentence. That can remove the logic or distort a qualification. Use a general term to combine examples only when it preserves their meaning. A word limit requires selection, not tiny handwriting or unexplained abbreviations. Compare the finished summary with the source to check that no important relationship has changed, then remove repetition and repair any grammar affected by compression.
In General English, apply the method to study, community participation and future opportunities. The model is fictional teaching material, so personal applications must use truthful facts. Choose a suitable level of detail for a reader who may not share your background knowledge.
වැඩි විස්තර අවශ්ය විට පමණක් මෙම කොටස කියවන්න.
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