4.

1 Getting the Gist: Smart Strategies for Reading

Getting an Overview

Before diving into a text, it's helpful to quickly understand what it's
generally about. This initial step—getting the gist—helps you decide
which parts are worth a closer look and which sections can be
skimmed or skipped. This process sets you up for more efficient
reading later on.

Quick Tips for Getting the Gist

1. Start with the Title

Ask yourself: What does the title suggest about the topic? Think about anything you
already know—maybe you’ve read something similar, discussed it with others, or have
personal experiences related to the topic.

Example: If you see a title like "Digital Nomads: The Future of Work?" you
might connect it to trends in remote work or your own experience working from
different locations.

2. Consider the Source

Check who wrote the article or where it was published. Is it from a credible magazine, a
blog, a scientific journal, or a social media post? Think about whether the writer's views
reflect your own or differ significantly.

Example: An article from a travel magazine might describe digital nomad life as
exciting, while a corporate journal might focus more on productivity concerns.

3. Scan for Standout Sections

Look at bold headings, bullet points, and any parts that are emphasized. These can give
you a quick sense of the structure and key themes without reading everything in detail.

Example: Headings like “Challenges of Remote Work” or “Living Abroad on a

Budget” can show what to expect in each section.

4. Use Visual Clues

Pay attention to images, charts, or diagrams. These often capture the main points or
highlight important data. Captions can be especially useful as they summarize content in
just a sentence or two.

Example: A pie chart showing where most digital nomads come from might
highlight global trends at a glance.
Exercise 1: Based on the following titles, try to guess what the article will be about.

Write your ideas in the space provided.

Headline What You Think the Article Is About

1. Local Hero Saves Cat from Burning Building

2. The Lazy Chef’s Pasta Hack

3. Famous Singer Opens Up About Past Struggles

4. Alien Message Detected from Nearby Galaxy

5. Fans Demand Fair Ticket Prices

Now match each headline to its corresponding article. Try to do it quickly by only reading
the first sentence of each article.
Skimming: Seeing the Big Picture Fast

Once you've previewed a text, the next step might be to

skim it—this means moving your eyes quickly over
the text to get a general understanding of what it's
about, without reading every word.

There are many times when skimming is especially

helpful. For example, professionals often skim emails or
reports to catch the main points without reading every
sentence. Researchers might skim through articles to
decide if they’re worth reading in full. Skimming is
also handy when checking online reviews or
summaries, so you can quickly figure out whether
something is rated positively or negatively. Even when looking at a restaurant menu, you might
skim to see your options and get an overall feel for the food and prices.

Skimming is especially useful in timed reading tasks, like in TOEIC reading sections or other
standardized exams. Readers who can combine previewing, skimming, and scanning (which will
be discussed in Unit 4.2) are able to manage their reading time much more effectively.

Tips for Effective Skimming

1. Focus on Beginnings and Endings

If you’re reading a formal report or academic article, check the first and final paragraphs.
These usually contain the main idea and the writer’s conclusions, helping you decide
whether to explore the middle sections more deeply.
2. Scan Topic Sentences
In most types of writing, especially in formal texts, the first line of each paragraph
usually tells you what it’s about. This helps you decide whether to read further into that
paragraph.
3. Look for Tone and Style
Glance over the body of the text and notice how it’s written. Is it technical or casual? Are
the sentences long and complex, or short and conversational? Has the writer used active
or passive voice?
4. Watch for Facts vs. Opinions
Does the piece include statistics or expert quotes? Has the writer used phrases like
“might,” “could,” “it seems,” or “possibly”? These are signs of hedging—language that
shows uncertainty or caution, often used in academic or scientific writing.
5. Consider the Time Frame
Is the text talking about the past, present, or future? Has the author made any guesses
about future events? If so, does the article support those predictions with solid evidence?
📝 Note: When you skim, your eyes might not move in a straight line. They may jump across,
move downward quickly, or zigzag. Skimming is still an active form of reading—it requires
focus to capture the overall meaning efficiently.

In the following exercises, try not to ‘read’ the text. Instead, try to move your eyes over the
information picking up the main points. When you answer the questions, do not go back to
check the information.

Exercise 2: Please look at the following e-mail and answer the questions on the next page:

Subject: Concern About Hotel Stay – 22 March

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have been staying at your hotel regularly over the past eight years, often choosing it for both
business trips and personal holidays. I’ve always appreciated the comfort and service. However,
after my most recent stay on 22 March, I feel compelled to express some dissatisfaction.

Firstly, upon arrival, I was informed that my reservation had not been recorded correctly, even
though I had received a confirmation email. I had to wait over 40 minutes before the issue was
resolved. The receptionist appeared unsure about how to handle the situation and had to consult a
supervisor multiple times.

Secondly, the room I was given was not up to your usual standards. The air conditioning unit
was malfunctioning, and the bathroom had not been cleaned properly. When I requested a room
change, I was told none were available due to full booking, which I found disappointing.

I am not writing to claim a refund or any form of compensation. I simply hope this message
encourages your management team to ensure such problems are avoided in the future. I expect to
return later this year in October and sincerely hope to see improvements by then.

Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Ellis
Questions:

1. What is the purpose of this e-mail?

2. Does the writer know the name of the person they are writing to? How do you
know?

3. Would you say this message is formally or informally written? Can you remember
any examples to show the reason for your answer?

4. Can you tell the purpose of the e-mail from the subject line? If not, why do you
think that is?

5. How many examples does the reader mention to show his dissatisfaction? What are
they?

6. Regarding the way the message is structured, what do you think the purpose of the
first paragraph is?

Exercise 3: Please look at part of a school newsletter and, when you have finished, try to
answer the questions on the next page:

Brookfield High School – Growing Together

School Newsletter – Autumn Term 2023

Important Dates:

 First day of term: Monday 4 September

 Mid-term break: Monday 23 October – Friday 27 October
 Last day of term: Friday 15 December

After-School Clubs:

This term we are offering a range of new and exciting after-school clubs:

 Drama Club: Tuesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 PM

 Science Explorers: Thursdays from 3:45 – 4:45 PM
 Robotics Team: Fridays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Clubs are open to students from Year 7 to Year 11. Please sign up by the end of the first week of
term via the school website.
New Library Rules:

 The library is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.

 No food or drink allowed.
 Students must use quiet voices.
 Mobile phones should be put away while in the library.

Uniform Reminder:

 Students must wear black shoes (no trainers), a school tie, and a navy blue blazer.
 Skirts should be knee-length.
 No hoodies are permitted on school premises.

📄 Questions

1. What is the first day of the autumn term?

2. Name two after-school clubs mentioned in the newsletter.
3. What must students wear as part of the school uniform?
4. Which rule applies to mobile phones in the library?
5. Where do students go to sign up for clubs?
6. Are there any restrictions on clothing in the school newsletter? If so, what are they?
7. After skimming this newsletter, what is your impression of Brookfield High School?

Exercise 4: Please look at some of the results of a survey on the next two pages and, when
you have finished, try to answer the questions after them:

A Teenager’s Opinion on Reading Habits

1. How often do you read books (excluding school textbooks)?

 Every day – 12%

 A few times a week – 28%
 Once a week – 20%
 Rarely – 30%
 Never – 10%

2. What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?

 Fiction (e.g., fantasy, mystery, adventure) – 55%

 Non-fiction (e.g., biographies, history, science) – 20%
 Comics / Graphic Novels – 15%
 I don’t enjoy reading – 10%

3. Where do you usually get your books?

  School library – 35%
 Public library – 18%
 Online / E-books – 27%
 Bookshops – 15%
 Friends / Family – 5%

4. What makes it difficult for you to read more?

 Not enough time – 38%

 Don’t enjoy reading – 20%
 Prefer other hobbies – 25%
 Can’t find interesting books – 17%

💬 Interpretation of the Results

Many teenagers reported that they don’t read daily, with 40% saying they read rarely or never.
One of the biggest reasons for this was a lack of time, which might suggest that schoolwork,
hobbies, or screen time take up much of their day.

Interestingly, fiction remains the most popular genre, with more than half choosing it as their
favorite. Graphic novels are also becoming more popular, especially among younger teens.

Most students still rely on school libraries to access books, which shows the importance of
schools offering good reading resources. Online sources are becoming increasingly common as
well.

Only 10% said they don’t enjoy reading at all — meaning the majority do like reading but may
be struggling to fit it into their routines.

📄 Questions

1. How many students said they read rarely or never?

2. What is the most popular type of book according to the survey?
3. Name two places where teenagers usually get their books.
4. What is the main reason teenagers say they don’t read more?
5. What does the data suggest about how teenagers feel about reading overall?
6. How could schools encourage more students to read regularly?
7. What might be a better way to ask Question 4 to get more useful answers?
4.2 Information Spotting

Information spotting is similar to skimming because it involves

reading a passage quickly. However, the goal is different. Instead
of understanding the overall message, the reader looks for specific
details such as names, dates, numbers (e.g. prices or
measurements), or times. This is a helpful skill we use in many
everyday situations. For instance, we might scan a schedule to
check when a bus arrives, or a menu to see if our favorite meal is
available.

When people use this technique, they don’t read every word. They focus only on the particular
item they need. Their eyes don’t always move from left to right like they would in normal
reading — instead, they might jump around the page, going up, down, or diagonally, depending
on where the needed detail could be.

Spotting information is a skill that becomes easier the more you practice. You can improve it by
working with different types of texts and writing styles.

Exercise 1: Try answering the questions below by quickly scanning the message on the next
page for key information.

Questions:

1. How many times is the word “me” used in the message below?
2. Who wrote the message?
3. What is the writer’s Instagram username?
4. Who is the writer’s favorite teacher?
5. How old is the favorite teacher?

Message:

Hi Jason,

Thanks for your last message! I’ve been meaning to write back, but things have been a bit
chaotic lately. I moved to a new city, and I’m still adjusting to everything. Anyway, I hope
you’re doing well.

My new college is interesting, though a little overwhelming at times. I had to catch up on a lot of
readings last week, and I barely had time for myself. One thing that helps is my literature class
— it’s my favorite. The teacher, Sarah (we all call her by her first name), is amazing. She’s got a
cool way of explaining things, always connects the material to real-life stories. I think she’s
around 40, but she seems so full of energy.
By the way, if you want to stay in touch more easily, I’m on Instagram now. My username is
jennyreads. Feel free to message me anytime!

Take care and say hi to everyone for me!

Love,
Jenny

As shown in the exercise above, scanning often means concentrating on a specific detail—like a
number (e.g. someone’s age), a keyword (like a username), or something we naturally know
where to look for (such as the writer’s name). With regular practice, these abilities can become
second nature.

Exercise 2: Scan the bios on the next page to answer the following questions:

1. Which artist mentioned was born in July?

2. What city was Alicia Keys born in?
3. In how many different languages has Shakira recorded music?
4. When did the film Dreamgirls come out?
5. What award did Alicia Keys win for her debut album?
6. How old will Shakira be on 2 February 2035?
7. Which artist starred in Men in Black?
8. Who collaborated with Beyoncé on the track Beautiful Liar?
9. What is Will Smith’s birth sign?
10. Why is Alicia Keys known outside of her music career?

Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook, known as Alicia Keys, was born on 25 January 1981 in
New York City. Her debut album Songs in A Minor (2001) earned her five
Grammy Awards and established her as a leading figure in contemporary
R&B and soul music. Apart from music, she is also known for her activism
and work in education and social justice.

Will Smith
Born on 25 September 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Will Smith is a
rapper, actor, and film producer. He gained fame in the late 1980s as part of the
hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Smith starred in blockbuster
films like Men in Black (1997), Ali (2001), and The Pursuit of Happyness
(2006). His zodiac sign is Libra.
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on 2 February 1977 in
Barranquilla, Colombia. She is known for her unique blend of
Latin, Arabic, and rock influences. Shakira has recorded songs in
Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She gained global fame with
hits like Hips Don’t Lie and collaborated with Beyoncé on
Beautiful Liar in 2007.

Beyoncé
Born on 4 September 1981 in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé Knowles-
Carter rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny’s
Child. She began her solo career in 2003 and has since become a
cultural icon. In 2006, she starred in the film Dreamgirls, for which
she received praise for both her acting and musical performance.

Exercise 3: Please scan the review of five eateries for the following information

1. Where is Bella Vita located?

2. At which restaurant did the writer experience a long wait for dessert?
3. What comment was made about the staff at The Noodle Nest?
4. How much did the writer spend at The Urban Fork?
5. Which restaurant specializes in vegan dishes?
6. Who is the head chef at Firewood Grill?
7. Which eatery had the lowest Star Rating?
8. What did the writer enjoy about Casa del Sol’s atmosphere?
9. How many total people are mentioned by name in the reviews?
10. In total, how much did the writer spend across all five restaurants?

Alex's Column

This week, I visited five eateries across Riverdale to check out what’s worth your time (and
money) when you’re dining out.

1. Bella Vita (Corner of Maple and 3rd Street)

A charming Italian café with cozy décor and soft music playing in the background. The lasagna
was rich and flavorful, and the tiramisu was simply divine. I spent $28 here, including a
cappuccino. The waiter, Marco, was friendly and recommended great wine. Definitely worth a
return visit.
STAR Rating (Out of Five): ★★★★☆
2. The Noodle Nest (Riverbank Mall)

If you’re a fan of Asian fusion, The Noodle Nest might be your spot. I tried their spicy peanut
ramen and miso dumplings—both excellent. The only letdown was the service; our server
seemed distracted and forgot our drinks twice. Still, the food was top-notch and cost $22.
STAR Rating (Out of Five): ★★★☆☆

3. Firewood Grill (Near Elmwood Park)

This rustic steakhouse is known for its wood-fired dishes. Chef Lena Ortiz greeted us at the table
and described the daily specials with passion. I ordered the ribeye with roasted potatoes and
seasonal veggies—perfectly cooked. I spent $35 here, and it was worth every cent.
STAR Rating (Out of Five): ★★★★★

4. Casa del Sol (Downtown Riverdale)

Colorful, lively, and bursting with Mexican flavor, Casa del Sol is great for a casual night out.
There was live music and festive decorations everywhere. I had enchiladas with mole sauce and
a margarita for $20. The joyful atmosphere made the experience memorable.
STAR Rating (Out of Five): ★★★★☆

5. The Urban Fork (Greenwood Avenue)

A small vegan bistro with a sleek, modern vibe. The grilled cauliflower steak and beetroot salad
were beautifully plated. I waited nearly 20 minutes for dessert, which was a bit much, but the
lemon sorbet made up for it. My total bill came to $18.
STAR Rating (Out of Five): ★★★☆☆
4.3 Tables, Schedules & Info Boxes

Not all reading in daily life comes in paragraph form. Much of what we need to understand is
presented in a structured layout—such as schedules, charts, and tables. These formats are
common in workplace notices, class timetables, and public information displays.

In this unit, you will learn how to extract specific information from such layouts by scanning and
skimming efficiently.

Example Scenario:

It is 10:25 a.m. on a Friday, and the office receptionist at

Greendale Language Institute receives a phone call from a
student’s parent needing to speak urgently with their child.
Phones are not permitted in class, so the receptionist must
locate the student. The student is in Level 3B.

LEVEL 3B — FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

Time Subject Instructor Location

08:30 – 09:20 Grammar Mr. Lopez Room 210
09:20 – 10:10 Vocabulary Ms. Green Room 210
10:10 – 10:25 Break — Common Area
10:25 – 11:15 Listening & Speaking Ms. Carter Room 208
11:15 – 12:05 Reading Practice Mr. Jordan Room 208
12:05 – 13:00 Lunch — Cafeteria
13:00 – 13:50 Pronunciation Workshop Ms. Carter Room 208
13:50 – 14:40 Project Work Mr. Jordan Lab 1

Questions:

To find out where the student is, what steps must the receptionist follow?

1. What day’s schedule should she be checking?

2. What time should she locate in the table?
3. What subject is the student attending at 10:25?
4. Who is teaching that subject?
5. In which room is the student?
6. What happens between 10:10 and 10:25?
7. What is the first class after lunch?
8. Who teaches both the “Listening & Speaking” and “Pronunciation Workshop” classes?
Exercise 1: Please read the following advertisement and answer the questions that follow it.
Highlight the keywords you used to find each answer.

Questions:

1. Where do the ZenFlow classes take place?

2. What is Tina Morales’ contact number?
3. What time do the sessions begin and end?
4. Will men and women attend the same sessions?
5. How are the classes structured?
Exercise 2: Please look at the following invoice and answer the questions that follow it.
Also, highlight the process you used to find each answer.

📦 BRIGHT TECH SOLUTIONS

2F, 77 Innovation Avenue, Hsinchu Science Park
Tel: 0987 456 321

INVOICE
Invoice To: Sunrise International School
No. 12, Sunrise Lane, Taipei

Contact Name: Linda Cheng

Invoice No.: 034592
Date: 10 October 20XX

Quantity Description Unit Price (NT$) Total (NT$)

10 SmartBoard Touchscreen Displays 15,000 150,000
5 All-in-One Desktop PCs 25,000 125,000
20 Wireless Keyboards + Mice Sets 1,500 30,000
15 Student Tablets (8") 6,000 90,000
8 Noise-Cancelling Headphones 3,000 24,000

Total: NT$ 419,000

Less 5% Educational Discount: NT$ 20,950
Total Balance Due: NT$ 398,050

🕒 All payments are due within 30 days of the invoice date.

Questions:

1. How much needs to be paid and when is it due?

2. Who should the reader contact if they have any questions?
3. How many Wireless Keyboard + Mouse sets were purchased?
4. What product was the most expensive per unit?
5. What is the phone number for Bright Tech Solutions?
6. On which product did the customer spend the most total money?
4.4 Understanding Hidden Messages

Before diving into the skill of figuring out what’s not directly stated, it’s important to understand
the difference between “suggesting” (the act of implying) and “interpreting” (the act of
inferring). Implying is done by the speaker or writer, while inferring is done by the listener or
reader.

What It Means to Suggest Something

Suggestions or implications come from the person giving information. The receiver of that
information, on the other hand, makes inferences — they read between the lines.

Example: If a teacher tells a student, “Your aunt is coming to visit tomorrow, and you know
how she always notices every little thing out of place in your room,” the teacher might be
suggesting that the student should clean up.

Sometimes, tone plays a big role in meaning, especially when speaking. Take the sentence:

“Oh, really?”

 If said with curiosity, it’s just a question.

 If said with sarcasm, the suggestion might be that the speaker doesn’t believe what was
said.

Being Careful with Your Words

Writers and speakers need to be careful not to send the wrong message by accident or leave out
important context.

Example Message:

Subject: Private Recipe Leak

To All Staff:
We’ve learned that a rival company has our secret Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe.
Anyone found leaking our recipes will face immediate dismissal and legal action.
— Robin Hill, CEO

What’s being suggested:

That someone on the team leaked the muffin recipe to the competitor.
Another Example:

Dear Jamie,
I’m concerned about the current layout you chose for our website. Since we moved away from
my original design, visitor numbers have dropped. We need to act quickly before higher-ups —
who aren’t known for being patient — get involved.
— Blake

What’s being suggested:

The company should return to Blake’s design before Jamie faces serious consequences.

Reading Between the Lines

We often figure things out not just by what people say or write directly, but by picking up on
hints — whether through words, tone, or context. This process is called inferring.

For example, if we see someone standing at a train station, we might guess they’re waiting for a
train. But maybe they’re just there to meet someone. Inference isn’t always perfect, but it's a
powerful skill for understanding what’s really going on.

How Do We Use Inference?

Let’s say someone says:

A: Hey Sam! It’s been so long. I heard you moved. Where are you living now?
B: Yeah, we moved around two months ago. For now, my partner and I are staying with my
cousin in Melbourne.

What we can tell: The phrase “for now” and the use of the present continuous “are staying”
suggest this is a temporary arrangement — they probably plan to move again.

Another Situation:

Jordan: So what happened after that?

Taylor: I had to take her to the vet.
What we can tell: Without it being said directly, we can infer that “her” refers to a pet — maybe
a cat or dog.

Making Sense of Unspoken Clues

Imagine walking into a café and overhearing this:

“I do like the work. The hours are tough, and it’s not always easy seeing people struggle with
their health. But I enjoy helping them, and most people are grateful. What gets to me, though, is
when people make poor lifestyle choices and still expect us to fix everything. One of the team
doctors is actually quite direct with those patients — which I appreciate.”

What might the speaker's job be?

Probably a nurse — though they could also work in hospital admin or as a health care assistant.

We come to this conclusion by listening closely to the clues: mentions of patients, doctors, tough
hours, and emotional experiences point to healthcare work.

Why Inference Matters

Being able to “read between the lines” is incredibly useful — not only in everyday conversations
but also in exams like the TOEIC. In the workplace, it helps when figuring out people’s roles,
company culture, and how to navigate new environments. It gives you insight into people’s
attitudes, expectations, and even problems they might not say out loud.

Exercise 1: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

It was just past 7:30 p.m. when Carla finally stepped off the bus and walked the last few blocks
to her apartment. She had been on her feet for nearly ten hours, most of it spent restocking
shelves and helping customers find everything from baking flour to cat food. Her uniform cap
was slightly askew, and her name badge had a smudge of chocolate on it from a spilled candy
box earlier that day.

In her hand, she carried a reusable shopping bag with some marked-down groceries she picked
up after her shift. “At least dinner won’t be too expensive,” she mumbled. As she climbed the
stairs to her flat, she thought about the part-time college course she had to study for and the
energy bill waiting on the kitchen table. “One day at a time,” she whispered. “I’ll get there.”
Questions:

1. What time did Carla likely start her workday?

2. What clues suggest that Carla works in a low-paying or entry-level job?
3. What can we infer about Carla’s financial situation?
4. What does the text suggest about Carla’s education goals?
5. Is Carla living alone or with others? Explain your answer.

Exercise 2: Please look at the following chat conversation and answer the questions on the
next page.
Questions:

1. What can we infer about Lara’s feelings toward the microwave situation?
2. What does Alex’s use of emojis and responses suggest about his personality?
3. What can we infer about the relationship between Lara and Alex?
4. Who seems to be organizing the movie night?
5. What can we infer about Jenny’s role in the group?
6. What kind of workplace or team do you think this is? Why?

Exercise 3: Please look at the following movie reviews and answer the questions on the next
page.

Welcome to Kevin’s Movie Blog. Today, I’m sharing my brutally honest reviews of two recent
releases:
Running on Empty and The Chef Upstairs.

Movie One

Running on Empty (Starring Rachel Kim and Devon

Blake)
Set in a futuristic world where fuel is currency, this movie
follows Lara (Kim), a rebellious courier with a mysterious
past, and Max (Blake), a scientist trying to stop an energy
war. Sounds exciting? Well, don’t get your hopes up.

The story speeds ahead like a train with no brakes, but

unfortunately, it’s also completely off the rails. The
chemistry between Kim and Blake is as flat as a pancake,
and the dialogue is filled with awkward lines like “My love
burns brighter than solar flare batteries.” I wish I was
making that up.

The special effects? Let’s just say my nephew’s school play

had better CGI.
Movie Two

The Chef Upstairs (Starring Dana Torres and Lionel

Franks)
This one surprised me. It's a low-budget romantic comedy
about Claire (Torres), a food critic who gets stuck in a
cooking competition with a former rival chef, Julian
(Franks), who now runs a pop-up restaurant... above her
apartment.

Yes, the plot is a bit silly, but the performances are warm
and believable. Torres brings charm to her role, and
Franks has great comedic timing. The film is full of clever
lines and genuine emotion. Plus, the food scenes made me
ridiculously hungry.

If you want something light and fun, this movie is like a

warm bowl of soup on a rainy day.

Questions:

1. What can we infer about the movie reviewer’s opinion of Running on Empty?
2. What does the line “My love burns brighter than solar flare batteries” tell us about the
dialogue?
3. Do Rachel Kim and Devon Blake have strong on-screen chemistry?
4. Is the reviewer likely to watch Running on Empty again?
5. What does the reviewer think of The Chef Upstairs?
6. What can we infer about the acting in The Chef Upstairs compared to Running on Empty?