As an IELTS instructor with over two decades of experience, I’ve encountered countless students wondering about the best approach to the IELTS Reading section. One of the most common questions is: “Should you scan in IELTS Reading?”
The answer, like many things in life, is not a simple yes or no. It’s a bit more nuanced than that. Let’s delve into the world of IELTS Reading, understand what scanning truly means, and discover how it can be your secret weapon for success.
Understanding Scanning in IELTS Reading
First, let’s clarify what we mean by “scanning.” In the context of IELTS Reading, scanning isn’t about quickly glancing over the entire passage. Instead, it’s a targeted search strategy. Imagine you’re looking for a specific piece of information in a long document – you wouldn’t read every word, would you? You’d scan the text, looking for keywords related to your target information.
When to Scan in IELTS Reading
Scanning is particularly useful for certain question types in the IELTS Reading test:
- Matching headings: You need to quickly identify the main idea of each paragraph or section.
- True/False/Not Given: You’re searching for specific information to confirm or refute statements.
- Sentence completion: You need to find specific details within the passage to fill in gaps.
- Short answer questions: These questions require you to locate and extract specific information from the passage.
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How to Scan Effectively
Here’s a step-by-step approach to scanning in IELTS Reading:
- Read the question carefully: Identify the keywords in the question that will help you locate the answer in the passage.
- Scan the passage for those keywords: Look for synonyms, paraphrases, or related terms. Your eyes should move quickly across the text, focusing on finding those keywords rather than reading every single word.
- Once you find a keyword, slow down: Read the surrounding sentences carefully to ensure you’ve found the relevant information.
- Match the information to the question: Confirm that the information you’ve found directly answers the question.
Example from an IELTS Reading Passage
Let’s say a question asks: “What is the main factor contributing to the decline of the honeybee population?”
You would then scan the passage for keywords like “honeybee,” “decline,” “population,” “factor,” and perhaps related terms like “colony collapse disorder” or “environmental stressors.” Upon finding a match, you would carefully read the surrounding sentences to pinpoint the main factor mentioned in the passage.
Tips for Successful Scanning
- Practice makes perfect: The more you practice scanning, the better you’ll become at quickly and accurately locating information.
- Don’t rely solely on scanning: While scanning is valuable, remember to combine it with other reading strategies like skimming and close reading for a comprehensive understanding of the passage.
Conclusion
Scanning is a powerful tool in your IELTS Reading arsenal. When used strategically, it can save you valuable time and help you achieve a higher score. Remember, the key is to practice regularly and develop a systematic approach to scanning that works best for you. Good luck!