2.
Answer the following questions
A. *Why may reading be the most demanding work at university or college?*
-Because students are required to read a huge volume of material, and
reading requires thought, effort, concentration and different reading
strategies.
B. In what way is the written word common to every field of study?*
-The written word contains the ideas, information, theories and
knowledge developed by people in every academic discipline.
C. *What are some of the ways in which we read?*
-We can skim, scan, read for detail, read for study, read for general
understanding, or read for enjoyment.
D. *How do our ways of reading vary?*
-They vary according to the purpose of reading, the reading material,
the task and the particular focus.
E. *How do students who say “Oh no…” differ from those who say “Oh
wow…”?*
-Students who say “Oh no” see the large number of books as a difficult
burden. Those who say “Oh wow” have a positive attitude and see the books
as an opportunity to learn.
F. *What do the writers mean by “Reading is a skill which is often taken for
granted”?*
-They mean that people often think reading is easy and does not require
thought or effort, while effective reading actually requires understanding,
concentration and different approaches.
3. *TRUE or FALSE*
A. *Students had developed reading skills when they come to university.*
✅ *True* – Students already have reading abilities developed through
everyday life.
B. *Our reading purpose changes according to our approach to reading.*
❌ *False* – Our approach to reading changes according to our purpose.
C. *Reading is the only way of gathering information about one's field of
study.*
❌ *False* – Reading is a major/basic way of gaining information, but it is
not the only way.
D. *Reading an instruction book in order to apply the information
immediately and reading an enjoyable novel for escapism both employ the
same reading skill.*
❌ *False* – They require different reading approaches and skills because
their purposes are different.
E. *The writers believe that reading requires thought and effort.*
✅ *True* – The text says reading is concerned with understanding the
author's meaning and requires thought and effort.
F. *At university, it is very useful for students to start at the beginning and
read through to the end of a book.*
❌ *False* – The text says this method is unlikely to bring the most benefit
when studying at university.
4. *What do the words in bold type refer to?*
“it” – Reading
“this” – Gathering ideas and information, assimilating them into your own
view, and expressing that view
“these” – The key facts/issues identified and examined by the theorists
“both” – Glancing through a newspaper and reading for study
5. *Meanings of words and phrases*
*Word*
Meaning
A. *keys*
important/main points
B. *access*
the opportunity or ability to obtain/reach something
C. *perceptions*
ideas or opinions about something
D. *interpreted*
understood or explained the meaning
E. *glancing through*
looking at something quickly
F. *extract*
take out or obtain important information
G. *vary*
change or be different
H. *themes* . main ideas or subjects
I. at their disposal available for them to use
J. *recognizing* identifying or knowing something
6. Guided Summary — Completed
Reading seems to be the main way of gaining information about a
discipline. It is a very useful skill to develop at university or college. It
is through reading that academic disciplines are developed and
understood. One major objective of reading at university or college is
to gather ideas and information. This means that students need to
assimilate ideas into their own view of the world and express that view
in order to be successful in their university studies. It is also important
to note that the approach to reading varies according to the purpose of
reading, and there are different ways of tackling reading based on the
reading material, task and focus. Thus, to make the best use of their
reading, students need to develop different reading strategies in
addition to using the abilities that they already possess when they
come to university.