This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within Reading strategies: skim, scan and trap-check for GCSE French. Revise Reading strategies: skim, scan and trap-check in Reading and Translation into English for GCSE French with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key rules at a glance
- Question first: always read the question before the text to focus your search
- Text order: questions follow the order of the passage — don't skip around
- Evidence first: locate the French before writing English — never answer from assumption
- Cognates: -tion, -ique, -al, -ité patterns are almost always trustworthy
- Word families: -eur/-euse, -ment, -able/-ible, re-, dé- unlock unknown vocabulary
- "Which is NOT true": verify each option against the text — all will seem plausible
- Higher inference: look for evaluative/emotional language and contrast markers
Practice questions for Reading strategies: skim, scan and trap-check
What is the purpose of skimming a French reading text before answering questions?
You need to find what time a French event starts. Which reading strategy should you use?
Quick recall flashcards
What is 'inference' in a reading exam?
Working out the meaning of an unknown word from the surrounding context.
Steps: (1) Read the whole sentence. (2) Identify words you DO know. (3) Use logic to guess the unknown word. (4) Check if your guess makes sense in the paragraph.
Why are negatives a common reading trap?
Students miss the negative and choose the OPPOSITE answer.
Watch for: ne...pas, ne...jamais, ne...rien, ne...plus, ne...personne.
In spoken/informal French, the 'ne' is often dropped, leaving only 'pas'.