Tips for Effective Skimming and Scanning in TOEFL iBT® Reading

In the TOEFL Reading section, being able to quickly locate key information and understand passages efficiently is essential. Skimming and scanning are two crucial techniques that help you manage your time and answer questions accurately.

Skimming involves reading quickly to get the general idea of a passage while scanning focuses on finding specific information. Mastering these techniques allows you to navigate the reading section more effectively and improve your overall performance. In this blog, we’ll explore expert strategies for skimming and scanning to help you excel in the TOEFL Reading section.

Tips to Improve Skimming and Scanning in TOEFL Reading

Here are some expert tips to enhance your skimming and scanning skills for the TOEFL Reading section. These strategies will help you efficiently locate key information and boost your reading speed in TOEFL iBT:

1. Skim for Main Ideas

By reading the first (introduction ) and last sentence ( conclusion) of each paragraph quickly you will have an idea about the main idea. Pay your attention to key sentences that give you a summary about the text.

Example: If you're reading a passage about hobbies and the paragraph starts with 'Rita likes to dance’, skim the following sentences to understand it is about dance as a hobby.

2. Identify Key Words for Scanning

Look for specific keywords or phrases related to the question or information you need. These are often nouns, verbs, or unique terms.

Example: If you're looking for information about someone's interest, such as ‘Jennifer is very much interested in horror shows,’ then you would want to focus on the keywords ‘Jennifer’ and ‘horror shows’ to scan the text to locate information quickly.

3. Use Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings often indicate the main topics of the sections. Use them to quickly navigate to the relevant part of the passage.

Example: In a passage divided into sections such as ‘Types of Entertainment,’ you might find a section with ‘Singing and Music.’ If you’re looking for information about ‘Jeremy loves singing,’ this heading will guide you to the right section.

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4. Highlight or Underline Key Information

 While practising, highlight or underline key phrases or sentences that capture important details. This will help you quickly locate them during the test.

Example: If you’re reading about someone’s passion, such as ‘Rachel loves reading history,’ underline ‘reading history’ to easily spot this information when reviewing the passage.

5. Practice Speed Reading

Develop your speed reading skills by practising with timed passages. This will help you quickly grasp the main ideas without getting bogged down in details.

Example: When reading a passage about various travel experiences, like ‘Sasa went to travel a village,’ practise summarising the content in a short time to improve your ability to find and understand key points quickly.

6. Preview the Questions First

Read the questions before you read the passage. This will help you know what information to look for, making your skimming and scanning more efficient.

Example: If the questions focus on hobbies and interests, and you know there are mentions of ‘Jeremy loves singing’ and ‘Jennifer is interested in horror shows,’ you’ll be prepared to locate these details quickly.

7. Use Context Clues

Pay attention to context clues within the passage to infer meaning and understand the content more deeply. This will help you identify relevant sections faster.

Example: If you come across a section discussing various leisure activities and see a reference to ‘dancing’ right after a description of ‘Rita,’ you can quickly infer that it relates to her interest in dancing.

8. Pay Attention to Signal Words

Signal words like ‘however,’ ‘moreover,’ and ‘thus’ often indicate shifts in ideas or important points. Recognise these words to navigate the passage more efficiently.

Example: If a passage uses ‘moreover’ before mentioning ‘Jennifer’s interest in horror shows,’ it signals that additional information about her interests is coming, helping you locate relevant details.

9. Look for Summary Sentences

Summary sentences often appear at the end of paragraphs or sections and provide a concise overview of the content. Identify these to quickly grasp the main points.

Example: If a paragraph summarises ‘Jeremy’s love for singing,’ it might conclude with a sentence like, ‘Jeremy finds singing a fulfilling hobby that brings him joy,’ helping you capture the essence of the paragraph quickly.

10. Practice with Diverse Passages

Familiarise yourself with various types of passages (e.g., scientific, historical, narrative) to improve your ability to skim and scan different kinds of texts effectively.

We hope this blog on ‘Tips for Effective Skimming and Scanning in TOEFL Reading’ helps you enhance your reading skills. By practising these techniques, you can improve your ability to quickly find and understand key information, which is essential for achieving a high score in the TOEFL Reading section. Good luck with your preparation!

Also Read:

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• How to Answer TOEFL Reading Sentence Insertion Questions
• Common TOEFL Reading Section Difficulties
• Essential Grammar Rules and Tips for TOEFL iBT® Exam
• 10 Tips to Balance TOEFL iBT® Exam Preparation with a Full-Time Job