In my years of preparing students for the IELTS Reading test, I found a common pattern: strong grammar and vocabulary often didn’t guarantee high scores. What did? Time management.
Many students know the answers — they just can’t find them fast enough.
The solution? Mastering two powerful techniques: skimming and scanning.
These are not shortcuts. They are essential test-taking strategies. Once students learn when and how to use them, they become faster, more focused, and far more confident.
Let’s learn these skills in detail — with real examples and clear steps.
1. Skimming = Finding the Main Idea Quickly
Skimming is about reading fast to get a general understanding. You do not read every word. You focus on:
Skimming helps you know where to look later when answering detailed questions.
2. Scanning = Locating Specific Information
Together, these techniques save time and help you find answers with confidence.
1. Skimming
Use at the beginning of each passage and for:
How to Skim:
2. Scanning
Use when you already have a question and you need the exact part of the text.
How to Scan:
Passage (Inspired by Cambridge IELTS 13 – “The Birth of Scientific English”)
Instructions: Skim this text quickly, then scan to answer the question below.
Paragraph A
In the late 17th century, scientific writing began to shift from classical Latin to vernacular English. This transformation was partly due to the founding of the Royal Society in 1660, whose members believed in clear communication of experimental findings. They saw the purpose of science not only as discovery but also as dissemination, and thus promoted English as a practical tool for sharing ideas.
Paragraph B
At the time, Latin was still considered the language of academia. However, it limited access. Only the educated elite could understand scientific literature, which contradicted the Royal Society’s mission of openness. Early members like Robert Hooke and Robert Boyle began publishing their work in English to reach wider audiences.
Paragraph C
The shift wasn’t without resistance. Some academics argued that English lacked the precision and authority of Latin. Others feared that abandoning Latin would lead to a decline in academic quality. Still, English slowly gained acceptance, especially as scientists began creating consistent vocabulary for their fields.
Paragraph D
One important factor in this transition was the printing press. As books became cheaper and more widely available, publishers demanded texts in languages that common people could read. Scientific books in English sold better, influencing more scientists to adopt it.
Paragraph E
Grammar and style were another challenge. Scientists struggled to find the right tone — should they write formally or like everyday speech? Over time, a style developed that was objective, neutral, and focused on clarity — values still reflected in today’s scientific writing.
Paragraph F
By the early 18th century, English had established itself as the primary language for science in Britain. This evolution allowed scientific ideas to spread faster and encouraged public engagement with science. It was a step toward the modern world of open-access knowledge.
Sample Question:
Why did some scholars resist writing science in English?
Answer:
Because they believed English was not as precise or authoritative as Latin.
Applying the Skills
➡ So we focus on Paragraph C.
“Some academics argued that English lacked the precision and authority of Latin…”
Band 5 Learner | Band 8 Learner |
Reads all 6 paragraphs slowly | Skims in under 90 seconds |
Gets stuck on unknown words | Focuses on structure, not perfection |
Misses where to look | Identifies the right paragraph to scan |
Writes answer from memory | Matches words with proof from text |
Mistake | How to Fix |
Reading every word | Skim first, read closely only where needed |
Guessing without proof | Always scan for evidence |
Looking only for exact words | Look for synonyms and paraphrases |
Spending too long on one question | Move on, come back later |
Text Snippet:
Honeybees are essential pollinators in many ecosystems. They communicate direction and distance using a waggle dance. This movement pattern is studied closely by biologists.
Question:
How do honeybees communicate information about food?
Answer: Using a waggle dance
🧠 Matching Headings →
🔎 Paraphrasing in Reading →
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