Skim and Scan for Main Ideas & Details
Master two essential IELTS Reading strategies to save time and answer accurately.
Skimming
- Purpose: Quickly understand the gist or main idea of the passage[1][2][3][6].
- How to Skim:
- Read the title, headings, and sub-headings[3][7].
- Read the first sentence (topic sentence) of each paragraph[1][3][6].
- Glance through the rest of the paragraph for names, dates, and keywords[1][3].
- Read the last paragraph more carefully for a summary[1][3][5].
- When to Use: At the start, to get an overview, and before answering questions[2][3][6].
Scanning
- Purpose: Locate specific information, facts, or keywords quickly[1][2][4][6].
- How to Scan:
- Identify keywords in the question (names, numbers, dates, etc.)[4][6].
- Move your eyes rapidly across the text to find these keywords[1][2][6].
- Underline, circle, or highlight the keywords as you find them[4][6].
- Use your finger or a pen to guide your eyes if needed[4][6].
- When to Use: When you need to answer specific detail questions or locate information[2][6].
Practice Both Techniques
- Use skimming to get the main idea, then scanning to find answers efficiently[1][3][6].
- Practice with real IELTS passages to build speed and accuracy.
- Try this interactive practice: IELTS-up: Skimming & Scanning Practice
- Watch a quick guide: IELTS Reading – Skimming and Scanning Technique (YouTube)