Inspecting a text rapidly with occasional periods of close inspection, i.e., quickly running one's eyes over the text to get the gist.

SCANNING --

Reading in order to locate a specific symbol or group of symbols (e.g., a date or a name of a person or place); quickly searching for some particular piece of information.

RECEPTIVE / INTENSIVE READING --

Careful reading aimed at discovering exactly what the author seeks to convey; often reading for information; readers need to understand linguistic and semantic detail and pay close attention to the text.

EXTENSIVE READING --

Often reading for pleasure; readers need not understand all details of the text; speed and skill in getting the gist are most important.