Reading for detail and for the main idea
13 concepts in English Reading, in level order. Open one to read how it works and try practice items.
Elementary
- Finding specific information Locating one fact in a longer text.
- Reading for the main idea Saying in one sentence what a text is about.
Pre-Intermediate
- Extracting the main points from an article Reducing a longer article to three or four key points.
- Finding key information in a factual text Locating the answer to a specific question in a factual passage.
- Scanning for facts, numbers, and data Finding specific figures in a text without reading every word.
- Summarizing the main point of a text Stating in one sentence what a short article is mainly about.
Intermediate
- Reading for specific detail Finding the one fact you need.
- Understanding the main point of an article Saying in one sentence what a text argues.
Intermediate Plus
- Reading for specific information Locating a detail without reading everything.
Upper-Intermediate
- Reading for detail under time pressure Scanning accurately rather than exhaustively.
Advanced
- Reading for gist at speed Getting the shape of a text quickly.
Advanced Plus
- Understanding finer points of detail The distinctions a careless reading loses.
Proficiency
- Reading at speed, for gist and for detail Switching between the two deliberately.