What does scanning involve when reading?

Scanning involves reading quickly to locate specific information within a text without the need to absorb all the details. This technique is particularly useful when a reader is searching for particular facts, dates, names, or keywords. By focusing on specific elements rather than the overall meaning, scanning allows individuals to effectively filter through material to find the exact information they need.

The other options highlight different reading strategies: comprehensive understanding pertains to reading for overall meaning, grasping the gist refers to skimming, which includes getting the main ideas quickly, and careful pronunciation emphasizes reading each word slowly and attentively, which is not characteristic of scanning. Thus, scanning is distinctly focused on targeted information retrieval rather than these broader or more meticulous reading approaches.