Nonfiction · Level 2 · 138 words
Two Kinds of Reading
Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.
Not all reading is the same. Shallow reading scans for a single fact: a price, a time, a yes or no. It is fast and useful, and we do it dozens of times a day. Deep reading is different. It asks you to build a model in your head of what the writer is saying, to test it against what you already know, and to carry an idea from one paragraph into the next. Both kinds matter, but only one of them grows with practice. You can scan your whole life and never get better at scanning. Deep reading, by contrast, rewards effort: the more demanding texts you finish, the more easily you finish the next one. A good daily habit is small but deep — one short passage read with full attention beats an hour of skimming.
Comprehension questions
1. What is the main point of the passage?
- A Shallow reading is useless.
- B Deep reading is a skill that improves with practice, unlike scanning.
- C All reading is equally valuable.
- D Skimming for an hour is the best habit.
Show answer
B. Deep reading is a skill that improves with practice, unlike scanning.
The passage contrasts the two and stresses that "only one of them grows with practice" — deep reading rewards effort.
2. According to the passage, what does deep reading ask you to do?
- A Scan for a single fact quickly
- B Build a mental model, test it, and carry ideas across paragraphs
- C Read as fast as possible
- D Memorize every word
Show answer
B. Build a mental model, test it, and carry ideas across paragraphs
Deep reading asks you to "build a model," "test it," and "carry an idea from one paragraph into the next."
3. What daily habit does the author recommend?
- A An hour of skimming
- B One short passage read with full attention
- C Reading only headlines
- D Avoiding difficult texts
Show answer
B. One short passage read with full attention
The closing advice: "one short passage read with full attention beats an hour of skimming."
Source: Written for Hone Literacy. Original passage © Team AM, written for Hone Literacy.