As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial strong reading skills are to achieving a high IELTS score, especially in the Academic test. Two techniques that are often overlooked but incredibly effective are skimming and scanning. Mastering these can significantly boost your reading speed and comprehension, ultimately leading to a higher band score.
Understanding Skimming and Scanning in IELTS Reading
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s clarify what skimming and scanning actually entail:
Skimming is like taking a quick glance at a newspaper to get the gist of the articles. It involves quickly running your eyes over the text to grasp the main idea, identifying key information like the topic, purpose, and overall structure.
Scanning, on the other hand, is like searching for a specific name in a phone directory. You’re looking for specific details, facts, or figures within the text, disregarding any information that doesn’t match your search.
Effective Techniques to Improve Skimming
Focus on Key Sections: Don’t waste time reading every word. Concentrate on the title, headings, subheadings, and the first and last sentences of paragraphs. These often hold the most crucial information.
Use Your Finger as a Guide: This may seem simple, but it effectively keeps your eyes moving at a consistent pace, preventing you from getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Pay Attention to Visual Cues: Be alert to boldface type, italics, bullet points, and numbered lists. They often highlight important information and can help you quickly locate specific details.
Effective Techniques to Improve Scanning
Identify Keywords: Before you start scanning, carefully read the question and pinpoint the specific keywords you need to find in the passage.
Use a Systematic Approach: Instead of randomly searching, move your eyes vertically or diagonally across the passage. This helps you cover more ground efficiently.
Look for Synonyms and Paraphrasing: Remember, the passage may not use the exact words from the question. Be prepared to identify similar meanings and different ways of expressing the same idea.
IELTS Reading Skimming and Scanning Techniques
Applying Skimming and Scanning: An Example
Let’s say you encounter a reading passage about the history of photography in the IELTS exam. A question asks, “When was the first permanent photograph created?”
Instead of reading the entire passage, you would:
Skim: Quickly glance at headings and the first/last sentences of paragraphs to locate the section discussing the invention of photography.
Scan: Once you’ve found the relevant section, scan for keywords like “first,” “permanent,” “photograph,” or dates.
Tips to Maximize Your Practice
Time Yourself: Practice skimming and scanning under timed conditions to simulate the exam environment. Aim to skim a 700-word passage in under 2 minutes and scan for specific information within 1 minute.
Use Authentic Materials: Practice with past IELTS reading passages, newspaper articles, and academic journals to familiarize yourself with different text structures and difficulty levels.
Don’t Be Afraid to Reread: If you don’t find the information on the first try, don’t panic! Take a breath, refocus, and scan the relevant section again.
Conclusion
Mastering skimming and scanning is essential for success in the IELTS Reading test. By understanding these techniques and practicing regularly, you’ll improve your reading speed, comprehension, and ultimately, your chances of achieving your desired band score. Remember, practice makes perfect!