Reading: Skimming vs. Scanning
Mastering these two fundamental reading techniques is the key to managing your time effectively in the IELTS Reading test.
What is Skimming? (Reading for Gist)
Skimming is reading quickly to get a general idea or overview of a text. You don't read every word. The goal is to understand the main ideas, the overall theme, and the structure of the passage.
How to Skim:
- Read the title and any subheadings.
- Read the first paragraph completely.
- Read the first sentence of each subsequent paragraph (the topic sentence).
- Read the last paragraph completely (the conclusion).
- Look for keywords that are repeated.
When to use it: At the very beginning to get a general understanding of the passage, and for questions like 'Matching Headings'.
What is Scanning? (Searching for Details)
Scanning is searching a text for specific information, such as names, dates, numbers, or keywords from a question. You are not trying to understand the text, just to locate a particular piece of information.
How to Scan:
- First, identify the keyword(s) in the question you need to find.
- Let your eyes run quickly over the text. Don't read sentences.
- Look for the specific keyword or a synonym of it.
- Look for capital letters (names, places), numbers (dates, statistics), or specific terms.
- Once you find a keyword, read the sentence around it carefully to see if it answers the question.
When to use it: For most question types, like True/False/Not Given, fill-in-the-blanks, and short-answer questions, after you have skimmed the text.
The Winning Combination
The most effective strategy is to combine these techniques. First, skim the entire passage to understand its layout and main ideas. Then, read a question, identify the keywords, and scan the passage to locate the relevant section. Finally, read that section carefully to find the answer.