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A cause is something that makes something else happen. Out of two events, it is the event that happens first. To determine the cause, ask the question "Why Did it Happen?"

An effect is whathappens as a result of the cause. Of two related events, it’s the one that happens second or last. To determine the effect, ask the question "What Happened?"
CAUSE | EFFECT |
The boy kicked the ball.| The ball rolled. |
The girl teased the cat. | The cat growled. |
Sally studied hard for a test. | Sally earned an A on her test. |
Joe became really tired. | Joe went to sleep early.|
Skimming: is the technique of allowing your eyes to travel rapidly over a page, stopping here and there to register the main idea. When skimming, you should follow the procedure below, adapting itto your purpose
* Read the title.
* Note the writer's name.
* Note the date and place of publication.
* Read the first paragraph completely.
* Read sub-headings and first sentencesof remaining paragraphs.
As you read, pick up main ideas, key words (words that tell you who, what, when, where, how many, and how much), and transition markers (words like 'however','alternatively', 'additionally', and so on), which suggest the direction of ideas in the text.
Summarise:
A summary is a collation of your notes, recording the main points the writer makes. Making a summary fromyour notes has two main benefits.
* It allows you to test yourself on your understanding of the material you have been reading - sometimes it is only when you try to put the writer's ideas intoyour own words that you uncover difficulties.
* It provides you with a compact account of the text for further reference.

Scanning: is a technique you often use when looking up a word in thetelephone book or dictionary. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your...