Reading

Detail, not just gist

Whilst reading for gist is quick and useful, studying for detail is essential when one word can completely change the interpretation of the message or direction of a project.

Detail comes from understanding how words connect, identifying which meaning is appropriate and then connecting everything together.

Trump Is Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Russian Oligarchs

For years, so-called golden visas have been one of the favored tools of the crooked and corrupt around the world. These tools allow deep-pocketed kleptocrats, oligarchs, and others to effectively buy citizenship in other jurisdictions, providing them with a way to dodge investigators and any authorities trying to hold them to account. 

Source

Article

Article date

Reference

R009B

[2-12] = [page number - line number]

28 February 2025

Line number

Task

  • ‘Deep pockets’ refers to ‘the possession of abundant financial resources’. It can be used in both positive and negative situations.

  • We use ‘hold to account’ means ‘to make someone accept they are responsible for something and explain their actions or decisions’.

  • (c) to mean ‘draw special attention to’.

  • ‘Bucking the trend’ means to oppose or resist (something oppressive or inevitable)

  • ‘Pocket change’ means a small amount of money (this is relative: £100 may be a small amount of money to some, but not to others).

  • When we say ‘in someone’s mind’ it refers to what they think, not perhaps the conventional or accepted view.

  • ‘Let alone’ - used to indicate that something is far less likely or suitable than something else already mentioned.

  • ‘Actor’ refer to participants in an action or process, not those in the film or entertainment.

  • We use ‘poster child’ (North American English) to refer to ‘a person or thing that epitomises or represents a specified quality or cause’.

  • We use ‘outed’ to mean ‘revealed or made public’.

  • To be ‘asleep at the wheel’ means not attentive or alert. Often used for those in leadership or responsibility where they are not leading in an acceptable or responsible manner.

  • In this context, ‘hang on’ means ‘remain firm or persevere, especially in difficult circumstances’.

  • ‘By and large’ is a common phrase to mean ‘on the whole; everything considered’.

  • The full expression is ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ which means ‘every difficult or sad situation has a comforting or more hopeful aspect, even though this may not be immediately apparent’.

  • ‘Small comfort’ is another way to express ‘little’ comfort.

  1. Read the article.

  2. Note new words and expressions, unfamiliar structures, and writing style.

  3. Answer questions before expanding to show answers.

Guidelines:

  • NOTE new words which you may have never seen [wholesome | upright | squeaky clean] or words having a different meaning to its primary one [‘clean’ to mean ‘(of a taste, sound, or smell) giving a clear and distinctive impression to the senses; sharp and fresh’].

  • NOTE phrases which can form part of the writing or be distinctive from the text [hot on the heels | before one’s eyes | there’s no smoke without a fire].

  • NOTE phrasal verbs, how they are used and in which context.

  • NOTE the writer’s style: word choice, simple or complex, short or long sentences, descriptive, persuasive, narrative or argumentative.

  • NOTE punctuation and why and where the writer uses it.