Reading Skills

Instruction

Fill in the blanks according to the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq4rysS2Oqs

REMEMBER TO TURN ON THE CLOSE CAPTION

OPTIONS

Why do I need to improve my reading?

…because good reading skills will improve your overall (1)

English language skills. So let me tell you how we can improve your
reading.
After spending many years in school we think we're good at
reading. So what if I tell you we’re not. And that reading greatly affects
our ability (2) to learn a language. Let me explain.
First: reading can improve your vocabulary . Studies show that
reading significantly improves people's receptive vocabulary. These are
words that you might not necessarily be able to produce (3) but you can
recognize them and understand them when you read them in a text.
Studies have also shown that vocabulary is the most important when
learning a new language.
Second: by actively observing the text you can improve your
grammar. Basically, your grammar improves when you’re paying
attention to what you're reading and follow the patterns of the text. This
one has other skills such as writing or speaking and it’s especially (4)
important if you’re trying to learn English for academic or business
purposes.

How do I improve my reading skills?

Here are four ways to improve your reading:

1. Read, and read as much as possible. There's so many things you

can read in English: books, magazines, articles, newspapers and
of course our interactive English lessons. Our advice (5) to you:
read something you like. If you like history, read about history. If
you like sports, read about sports. Just choose something that will
keep you reading. And remember: practice makes perfect!
Whatever it is you’re reading, read it more than once (6).

2. The second way to improve your reading is to check your

comprehension. Sure. You read something. But how do you know
you understand it? Well, for example, if you’re

3. reading an academic article you can write down the main idea of
each paragraph (7). Then when you’re done reading you have a
 summary of the entire article. Or if you're reading a story book
check your comprehension by paraphrasing what you've read.
You can either write it or say in your own words. If you have
difficulty paraphrasing what you’ve read then this will show you
that you probably need to reread the Story (8). And of course you
can check your comprehension by practicing with us. In our
videos we ask you comprehension questions and we'll help you
find the right answer if you make a mistake (9).

4. The third way to improve your reading: read at the right speed.
Let your hand to be your guide. Put your finger on the text and
move it along as you read. This will help you find the right speed
for you that will maximize (10) your comprehension. If you’re
looking for a challenge there are many speed reading exercises
online. Or you can also practice with us. In many of our reading
videos we show you texts that move as a speed of a native
English speakers. Look, this may be challenging but it will train
your mind to start reading faster (11).

5. The fourth and final way to improve your reading is to interact

and engage with the text. Ask questions about what you’re
reading just like you would ask to another person. For example,
before you read you might ask: who’s the main character (12)?
or When these events take place? Then look for the answers while
you read. If you’re an advanced English learner think of questions
with more substance. What is the author trying to tell you? Does
he or she make compelling point? Does the author show any bias?
When you interact with the text you will become a better, more
efficient (13) reader an d you will have a lot more fun reading as
well.

We hope you find these suggestions helpful. Be sure to check out

our video lessons in order to learn and practice your reading
skills. We’d love to hear from my students. In the comments
below let us know why you reading (14) reading. We’ll see you
next time. Bye!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq4rysS2Oqs
True or false

1. Your reading skills have an effect on your language learning.

True

2. Nobody cares about reading in the scientific world. False

3. By paying attention to the text you can improve only your

vocabulary. True

4. It is not enough to read something once. True

5. Paraphrasing is useful only if you write it down. False

6. Following the words with your finger is a good strategy. True

7. Asking questions makes you confused. False

Useful vocabulary

1. Significantly: i) in a way that has a particular meaning

2. Receptive: l) able to receive signals or stimuli
3. Study: f) a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or
situation
4. Observ: c) to regard with attention, especially so as
to see or learn something
 5. Pattern: j) a repeated decorative design
6. Purpose: B) the reason for which something exists or
is done, made, used, etc.
7. Comprehension: k) the ability to understand something
8. Summary: e) a brief statement or account of the main points
of something
9. Challenging: h) testing one's abilities; demanding
10. Interact: g) participate or become involved in
11. Engage (in) : A) to act on or in close relation with each other
12. Substance: n) a particular kind of matter with uniform
properties
13. Compelling: m) evoking interest, attention, or admiration
14. Bias: D) inclination or prejudice for or against one person or
group, especially in a way considered to be unfair

a) to act on or in close relation with each other (11)

b) the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
(6)
c) to regard with attention, especially so as to see or learn something
(4)
d) inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group,
especially in a way considered to be unfair (14)
e) a brief statement or account of the main points of something (8)
f) a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation (3)
g) participate or become involved in (10)
h) testing one's abilities; demanding (9)
i) in a way that has a particular meaning (1)
j) a repeated decorative design (5)
k) the ability to understand something (7)
l) able to receive signals or stimuli (2)
m) evoking interest, attention, or admiration (13)
n) a particular kind of matter with uniform properties (12)