Vocabulary Building – Words, Synonyms & Usage
📖 Smart English – Week 1, Day 7
Reading Skills Practice: Understand & Enjoy English Texts
Welcome to Day 7 of your English learning journey! Today, we’re focusing on a key skill that's useful not just for exams like IELTS or TOEFL, but for everyday life, your career, and even for fun: reading. A strong reading habit is a fantastic way to boost your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and sharpen your thinking.
🌟 Why Reading is a Superpower
Think of reading as a workout for your brain. It helps you:
- Expand your vocabulary by introducing new words and phrases in context.
- Understand sentence structures so you can write and speak more clearly.
- Develop critical thinking, a skill essential for understanding complex ideas and acing exams.
- Become familiar with different cultures and ideas from around the world.
📘 What to Read Every Day
Variety is key! Try to read a little bit of something different each day to keep things interesting. Here are some great options:
- Short Stories: Simple, fun, and a great way to start.
- News Articles: Perfect for exam preparation and staying informed about the world.
- Blogs & Essays: Excellent for practicing more formal or persuasive language.
- Dialogues & Conversations: Useful for understanding how people speak in real life.
🔑 Key Reading Techniques
Not all reading is the same. There are two main strategies you can use to read more effectively:
- Skimming: This is when you read a text quickly to get the main idea. Think of it like looking at the headings, subheadings, and first sentences of paragraphs.
- Scanning: This technique is for when you're looking for specific information, like a name, a date, or a number. You're not reading for meaning; you're just looking for a specific detail.
📝 Practice Exercise
Ready to give it a try? Read the short passage below and then answer the questions.
“English is a global language. People use it for communication in business, travel, and education. Learning English opens the door to opportunities all around the world.”
Questions:
- Why is English called a global language?
- Where do people use English?
- What does learning English provide?
*(Answers: 1. It is used for communication in business, travel, and education. 2. In business, travel, and education. 3. It opens the door to opportunities all around the world.)*
🎯 Exam Tip
When you take a reading test like the IELTS or TOEFL, keep these tips in mind:
- Don't try to translate every single word. Focus on the overall meaning.
- Find keywords and use the context to figure out what a new word means.
- Practice with timed exercises to improve your speed and get used to the pressure.
✅ Summary
- Read something daily, even just a few paragraphs.
- Use skimming and scanning to read more efficiently.
- Don't worry about every word; focus on the overall meaning.
- Remember that reading helps improve your grammar, vocabulary, and test-taking skills!
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