Track 23
Now turn to section 3.
You will hear two students talking about reading.
First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24.
Listen carefully to the first part of the conversation and answer questions 21 to
24.
Hi, Malena. How's your research for your assignment going?
Which assignment, Josh?
The one on sustainable transport. It's due in on Friday.
Oh, I've not nearly finished it. I've still got so many articles to get through.
In fact, I need to read another two books on the reading list before I can even
think about writing it up.
It doesn't help that I'm a really slow reader.
Well, why don't you practice speed reading just like me?
Oh, let me into your secret.
If anything, if I don't get a move on, my assignment is going to be late.
What exactly is speed reading anyway?
Well, speed reading basically means reading faster and more efficiently.
It can make such a difference. I've noticed the benefits already, and I've only
been doing it a few weeks.
Sounds good. What benefits are we talking exactly?
Well, the majority of people read as an average rate of 250 words a minute.
So that means that an average page in a book or document would take you around one
or two minutes to read.
So up to two minutes a page, that sounds quite fast to me.
I reckon I spend at least five minutes on each one.
But just think about it. Imagine if you could double that rate to 500 words a
minute.
You could zip through all the articles and books in half the time.
Another thing is that it can help you understand the basic structure of an idea or
an argument much better.
Now you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30.
Now listen to the next part of the conversation and answer questions 25 to 30.
You make speed readings sound like some kind of sport.
Well, actually, speed reading is a bit like playing sport. I like to think it's
similar to running.
Running? Much too fast for me. I'm more of a jogger. You're not selling it to me
very well.
Okay, okay, but just think about what it takes to be a fast runner.
You can learn the techniques, but to get really good at it and build up your speed,
you really need to practice.
But athletes train for hours every day. That's true, but your reading speed can
improve if you practice a few basic techniques.
The first thing to do is to actually find out how fast you're reading at the
moment.
So, time my current reading speed. But I read so slowly, it will be really
depressing to find out just how slow I am.
Believe me, timing yourself is a really good idea and it's so easy to do.
There are lots of online speed reading tests. You just enter the words, reading
speed test into Google and loads will come up.
You could also do a reading comprehension test and see how well you understand what
you're reading.
I don't know.
But remember to read at your normal speed and time yourself on a few different
pages.
The average of your times should indicate your average reading speed.
What do I do next?
Well, the next thing to do and this is really important is to get rid of
distractions.
I used to think that music in the background while I was reading was a good thing,
but it wasn't for me.
I found I increased my speed by working without any noise whatsoever.
I usually read in the library, but there always seem to be people talking around
me.
Well, try using earplugs to block out all the distractions.
Another important thing is to set yourself targets.
Basically, if you know what your goal is, you're more likely to achieve it.
My goal? Well, that's easy.
I need to find out about the problems of accessible transport in Africa and then
think about some solutions.
I know what I need to do, but I keep scooping back to a sentence I've just read.
And at other times, I go back a few pages just to make sure that I've read
something right.
I know what you mean. Actually, a lot of people do that when they read.
They re-read material when they don't actually need to.
It's called regression and it's important to get out of the habit of doing it.
You can reduce the number of times your eyes skip back by running your finger or a
pencil along each line you read.
Your eyes will follow the tip of your finger and this helps you avoid skipping
back.
Why not give it a try?
Yes, I think I'll give it a go.
But I suppose the first thing to do is find out what my reading speed is.
What a thought.
That is the end of section 3.
You now have half a minute to check your answers.
You
