TOEFL Reading: Skimming and Scanning Strategies for Faster Results

Article Level: B2

Explanation: This article explains how skimming and scanning strategies can boost your TOEFL Reading performance. Learn to read faster, find key details quickly, and improve comprehension for exam success and real-life reading tasks.

Commonly Used Words from the Article

1. Strategy /ˈstrætədʒi/ (noun): A plan of action to achieve a goal.

   Skimming is an effective strategy for reading quickly.

2. Passage /ˈpæsɪdʒ/ (noun): A short section of a written text.

   Read the passage and answer the following questions.

3. Highlight /ˈhaɪlaɪt/ (verb): To mark or emphasise something.

   Highlight the key words in each question.

4. Efficient /ɪˈfɪʃənt/ (adjective): Working well without wasting time or effort.

   Skimming is an efficient way to understand a text quickly.

5. Synonym /ˈsɪnənɪm/ (noun): A word with the same or similar meaning as another.
   

   Use synonyms to understand vocabulary in the reading section.

   
          Audio File of the Article

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TOEFL Reading: Skimming and Scanning Strategies for Faster Results

Preparing for the TOEFL Reading section can be challenging, especially when time is limited. One of the best ways to improve speed and accuracy is by using skimming and scanning techniques. These reading strategies help test-takers locate information quickly and understand the main ideas without reading every word. Mastering these methods can lead to faster results and higher scores.

Skimming is the process of reading a text quickly to get the general idea. When you skim, you don’t focus on every detail. Instead, you look at titles, headings, the first sentence of each paragraph, and any highlighted or bold words. This gives you a basic understanding of what the passage is about. For example, in the TOEFL Reading section, you can skim a passage before answering questions to know where information might be located.

Scanning, on the other hand, means looking for specific information in a text. This could be a name, date, number, or keyword. When you scan, your eyes move quickly over the page until you find the detail you need. This is useful when answering questions that ask for facts, figures, or particular phrases. Scanning helps you avoid wasting time by reading the whole passage in detail.

Using both strategies together can be powerful. Start by skimming to understand the general topic, and then scan for the answers to detailed questions. For example, if a question asks, “When was the company founded?”, you don’t need to read the whole paragraph. Just scan for a year or phrase like “was established in”.

To improve these skills, practise regularly. Use practice tests or short academic articles. Time yourself and see how quickly you can skim a passage and answer basic questions. Then practise scanning for specific details. Over time, your reading speed and comprehension will improve.

In addition, underline or highlight key words in the questions. These words will guide you during scanning. If the question asks about “causes of pollution”, focus on finding the word “pollution” or synonyms like “contamination” or “toxins” in the passage.

By mastering skimming and scanning, you’ll be more confident and efficient during the TOEFL Reading section. These skills are not only helpful for exams but also useful for reading emails, reports, and other documents in everyday life.

Grammar Notes

This article makes use of the present simple tense to explain facts and habits (e.g. Skimming is the process…, Scanning helps you…), and modal verbs like can and should to give advice and show possibility.

Grammar Lesson 

Present Simple for General Truths and Habits:
Use the present simple to describe facts or regular actions.

• Structure: Subject + base verb
• Example: She scans the text for dates and names.
  Use this tense when explaining how strategies work, as shown in the article.

Five Questions Based on the Article

• What is the main purpose of skimming a passage?

• How does scanning differ from skimming in reading strategy?

• Which type of TOEFL Reading questions benefit most from scanning?

• What is a useful tip to follow when scanning for specific details?

• How can practising skimming and scanning improve test performance?

   

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