• Unit 2: Reading Actively – What Does Reading Tell Me?

    Unit 2 introduces you to the active reading strategies of skimming and questioning. These strategies help you better understand what you read. Along with using context clues and making predictions, which we discussed in ESL001: Beginning Lower-Intermediate English as a Second Language, knowing how to use these strategies will help you comprehend, or understand, more of what you read. In this unit, you will practice skimming job ads and questioning a story to see how it improves your reading skills.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • apply active reading skills by skimming and questioning a text.

    • 2.1: Skim a Reading

      • Skimming Page

        When we see page with a lot of information on it, we can become intimidated and not want to read any further. When we worry about what we may not understand, it's easy to get discouraged. Skimming is a strategy that helps you read over something quickly to see what you already know and get an idea of what the reading may be about. Skimming can help you understand a reading and prepare to read the whole thing. Read this article on skimming strategies. When you're done, complete the activity "Applying for a Job". 

    • 2.2: Ask Questions

      • Questioning Page

        When we read, it can be helpful to ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to improve your understanding of the text. This strategy lets you think about what you already know and why you need to read something, what is going on in a reading, and what you learned from it when you are finished. Keeping track of the answers to your questions can help you remember what you've read, too. Watch the video below and review the asking questions guide. Then complete the asking questions activity.

      • Ask These Questions Page

        When you are faced with something new to read it's not uncommon to be a little afraid you won't understand it. Taking a new reading in small pieces can help you understand a complicated reading. For this exercise, you'll read "The Most Amazing Structure on Earth".

    • Unit 2 Assessment

      • Unit 2 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.