Obtener La Información Fundamental: Aprenda Rápido Lectura en Inglés

Práctica: Pasaje Número 1

Comience inmediatamente a buscar los hechos. La pequeña selección siguiente se asemeja a lo que usted vea probablemente en un periódico. Lea la selección con cuidado y responda a las preguntas que siguen. Recuerde que una lectura cuidadosa es una lectura activa; no se olvide de marcar el texto a medida que lee. Subraye palabras e ideas claves; marque en un círculo y defina palabras o frases desconocidas; anote sus reacciones y preguntas en los márgenes de la página.

On Tuesday, August 30, Mr. Blank, a prominent local citizen, arrived home from work to find that his apartment had been robbed. The thieves somehow managed to slip past building security at 131 West Elm Street with nearly all of Mr. Blank's belongings. In fact, the thieves left behind nothing but a stack of old Home Decorator magazines and a can of pork and beans. The robbery was reported by Mr. Blank's neighbor, who found Mr. Blank unconscious in his doorway. Apparently, Mr. Blank was so shocked by the robbery that he fainted. His neighbor immediately called an ambulance and then the police. Mr. Blank is now staying with relatives and is offering a reward of $25,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the thieves.

1. What happened to Mr. Blank?
2. When did it happen?
3. Where did it happen?
4. How did Mr. Blank react?
5. Who called the police?
6. What was left in the apartment?

Recuerde que una lectura efectiva es una lectura activa. ¿Marcó y anotó la selección leída? Si lo hizo, puede ser que se asemeje a esto:

Usted se puede dar cuenta de que todas las respuestas a las preguntas planteadas han sido subrayadas porque hay palabras e ideas claves en esta selección. De todas maneras, éstas son las respuestas de una forma más convencional.

1. What happened to Mr. Blank? His apartment was robbed.
2. When did it happen? Sometime while Mr. Blank was at work on Tuesday, August 30
3. Where did it happen? 131West Elm Street.
4. How did Mr. Blank react? He fainted.
5. Who called the police? Mr. Blank's neighbor.
6. What was left in the apartment? Some old Home Decorator magazines and a can of pork and beans.

Note que las preguntas van más allá de lo convencional; quién, qué, cuándo y dónde, para incluir algunos de los detalles de la lectura, como por ejemplo lo que se dejó en el apartamento. Esto se debe a que los detalles de una lectura de comprensión, así como el trabajo de detective, pueden ser señas importantes que puedan ayudar a contestar las preguntas que faltan; ¿Quién lo hizo?, ¿Por qué y cómo lo hizo?

Práctica: Pasaje Número 2

Ésta es una nueva selección cuyo contenido se asemeja a lo que uno puede observar en el trabajo. Lea la selección cuidadosamente y responda a las preguntas que siguen:

To: All New Employees
From: Human Resources

In order for your first paycheck to be processed, we must have a number of documents completed and in our files. Once these documents are in our hands, you will be entered into our payroll system. These documents include: a completed company application; a W - 4 form; an I - 9 form; a Confidentiality Agreement, if applicable; an emergency contact sheet; and a copy of your resume. You should be sure all of these documents are filled out within your first week of work. In addition, we will need the following documents from you for your file to be complete: two letters of recommendation from previous employers, a high school and college transcript, and an insurance coverage application. We request that you complete your file within your first month of employment.

7. What papers must new employees have on file? List them below.
8. In your list above, circle the items that employees must have on file in order to get paid.
9. When should these circled items be completed?
10. When must the rest of the file be completed?
11. True or False: Everyone must sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

Antes de comparar con las respuestas del libro, pase a la página siguiente para ver cómo marcar la información más importante de este párrafo.

To: All New Employees
From: Human Resources

Con un texto marcado de esta manera, es muy fácil encontrar las respuestas.

7. What papers must new employees have on file?



8. In the preceding list, the items that employees must have on file in order to get paid are circled.
9. When should these circled items be completed? Within the employee's first week of work.
10. When must the rest of the file be completed? Within the employee's first month of work.
11. True or False: Everyone must sign a Confidentiality Agreement. False; only those for whom it is "applicable."

Práctica: Pasaje Número 3

Veamos una selección más. Otra vez, lea cuidado samente y responda a las preguntas que siguen.

Today's postal service is more efficient and reliable than ever before. Mail that used to take months to move by horse and by foot now moves around the country in days or hours by truck, train, and plane. First-class mail usually moves from New York City to Los Angeles in three days or less. If your letter or package is urgent, the U.S. Postal Service offers Priority Mail and Express Mail services. Priority Mail is guaranteed to go anywhere in the United States in two days or less. Express Mail will get your package there overnight.

12. Who or what is this passage about?
13. How was mail transported in the past?
14. How is mail transported now?
15. How long does first-class mail take?
16. How long does Priority Mail take?
17. How long does Express Mail take?

Como se puede observar, el marcar el texto ayuda al lector a entender la información contenida en la lectura.

12. Who or what is this passage about? The U.S. Postal Service.
13. How was mail transported in the past? By horse and foot.
14. How is mail transported now? By truck, train, and plane.
15. How long does first-class mail take? Three days or less.
16. How long does Priority Mail take? Two days or less.
17. How long does Express Mail take? Overnight.

Resumen

La lectura activa es el primer paso esencial para entender la lectura. Una lectura de esta manera empuja al lector a ver claramente lo leído y lo que contiene. Así como un detective que llega a la escena del crimen, si usted observa cuidadosamente y hace las preguntas correctas (quién, qué, cuándo, dónde, cómo y por qué), estará en camino de entender completamente lo que lee.