Skimming and scanning
The foundation of IELTS Reading: skim for structure, scan for details, and manage 60 minutes for 40 questions.
In this lesson you will
- Skim a passage in two to three minutes
- Scan for names, numbers and key words
- Plan your time across three passages
Learn
Skim (2–3 minutes per passage): read the title, any subheading, the first sentence of each paragraph and the last paragraph. Note in a few words what each paragraph is about.
Scan: move your eyes quickly to find a specific item — a capitalised name, a number, a date, or a distinctive key word from the question. Then read that sentence carefully.
Synonyms: questions rarely use the passage’s words. Before scanning, think: increase → rise, growth, went up; children → young people, pupils.
Time: about 20 minutes per passage; passages usually get harder, so don’t spend too long early on. There’s no extra transfer time — write answers as you go and never leave a blank.
Examples
- Skim note: P1 history; P2 problem; P3 study; P4 results; P5 future.
- Scan target: “1987”, “Professor Lang”, “Kenya”.
- Synonym: question “elderly people” → passage “older adults”.
Vocabulary
skim
read quickly for the general idea
scan
look quickly for specific information
distinctive
easy to recognise
capitalised
starting with a capital letter
blank
an empty answer space
In real life
Skim the passage in 90 seconds, then answer.
A Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers indoors, often in disused warehouses, using LED lighting and nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
B Supporters argue that they use up to 95% less water than conventional farms and can be built close to cities, reducing transport emissions.
C Critics point to high energy costs. Lighting alone can make vertical farming several times more expensive than growing crops in fields or greenhouses.
D For now, most vertical farms grow high-value leafy greens and herbs. Whether they can produce staple crops like wheat economically remains uncertain.
Practice
To find a date in a passage, you should…
Lesson quiz
Which paragraph discusses costs?
Review
Key points
- Skim: title, first sentences, last paragraph.
- Scan: names, numbers, key words.
- Think of synonyms.
- About 20 minutes per passage; no blanks.
What you learned
- ✓ I can skim and scan efficiently.
- ✓ I plan my reading time.
- ✓ I expect paraphrase.