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.
Curious questions: Why do we use Seville oranges to make marmalade?
Why do we use Seville oranges to make marmalade when there are more than 400 other varieties available worldwide? And do they really make the best preserve?
Source
Country Life
Article
Article date
Reference
R010B
[2-12] = [page number - line number]
01 February 2025
Line number
Task
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A ‘marmalade fundamentalist’ is one who ‘adheres strictly to the basic principles’ of marmalade making: using only Seville oranges; they believe this is the only and proper orange to use and all others would be wrong.
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To ‘be in good company’ means to be in the same situations someone important or respected.
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‘Laden’, heavily loaded or weighed down, is best replaced with ‘loaded’. ‘Burdened’ means ‘a load, typically a heavy one; often with a negative implication’; ‘stuffed’ is used to mean ‘filled with some material’.
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‘Lean on’ means rely on or derive support from someone or something.
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In this context, ‘set’ means harden into a solid or semi-solid state.
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While we could use delicious, this is not the full meaning of sublime; elevated better fits the context.
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Although sounding negative, fearsomely is used for emphasis, like very or really, but with the element of being frightened and scared.
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In this context, ‘dark-arts’ refers to techniques or practices that are regarded as mysterious.
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Takes much effort: faff - something that takes a lot of effort or causes slight problems | spend time in ineffectual activity
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Founder: someone who establishes an organisation. Found [v.]: to bring something into existence.
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Savoury dishes are those which is not sweet. Savoury food might be ambiguous e.g. a carrot could be savoury or sweet.
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Peel (remove the outer covering or skin from (a fruit or vegetable):
The new manager spent days peeling back years of red tape and unintelligible procedures to discover who really did what.
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‘By and large’ is a common phrase to mean ‘on the whole; everything considered’.
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Take on: [n.]: a particular version of or approach to something; therefore, approach is the better alternative.
Read the article.
Note new words and expressions, unfamiliar structures, and writing style.
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.