skimming
Skimming — Reading for the Big Picture
Get the general idea of a text quickly without reading every word.
TechniqueWhen to use: when you need a general idea of the text quickly; first pass before answering questions
TipRead the title, subheadings, first sentence of each paragraph, and the conclusion only
TipTakes 30–60 seconds for a full passage; do NOT read every word
Skimming Formula
Step 1
Read the title and any subheadings
Step 2
Read only the first sentence of each paragraph (topic sentence)
Step 3
Read the last paragraph or conclusion
Step 4
Form a general idea — "This text is about..."
Examples
✓ After Skimming
Based on my quick read, this article appears to discuss the effects of social media on teenagers.
The text seems to be arguing in favour of renewable energy sources.
From the headings, I can see this report covers three main areas: cost, efficiency, and sustainability.
The opening paragraph suggests this is a news article about a recent scientific discovery.
This passage is likely from an academic journal about urban planning.
The tone seems formal and the topic is related to economic policy.
scanning
Scanning — Finding Specific Information
Hunt for specific details like names, dates, numbers, or keywords quickly.
TechniqueWhen to use: when you know exactly what you're looking for (a name, date, number, keyword)
TipMove your eyes quickly in a zigzag or column pattern; don't read sentences — hunt for the target word
WarningNever scan before you know what to look for; always identify your target first
Scanning Formula
Step 1
Identify your target (a number? a name? a specific word?)
Step 2
Move eyes quickly across/down the text — don't read, just search
Step 3
When you spot the target area, slow down and read that sentence carefully
Step 4
Verify the answer matches the question exactly
Examples
I'm scanning for the year the company was founded — I'm looking for a four-digit number.
The question asks for a name, so I'm searching for a capital letter followed by more capitals.
I need to find the percentage mentioned in the third paragraph.
Scanning for the word 'however' because the answer is likely a contrasting point.
I'm looking for any phrase related to 'cause' or 'reason' to answer this question.
The question mentions 'a scientist' — I'll scan for any proper noun near a scientific term.
intensive
Intensive Reading — Reading for Full Understanding
Deep, careful reading when you need to understand every detail.
TechniqueWhen to use: when you need to understand every detail; for difficult academic texts or exam questions requiring inference
TipRead slowly, annotate, re-read difficult sentences, look up or infer unknown words from context
Intensive Reading Formula
Step 1
Read the whole text once without stopping
Step 2
Go back and annotate: underline main ideas, circle unknown words, mark examples
Step 3
Re-read difficult sentences — break them into smaller chunks
Step 4
Summarize each paragraph in one line in your own words
- Climate change paragraph: "Global temperatures have risen by 1.1°C since pre-industrial times [MAIN IDEA]. This warming is primarily caused by human activities [CAUSE], particularly the burning of fossil fuels [EXAMPLE]. Scientists warn that without immediate action [CONSEQUENCE], we face irreversible damage."
- Business strategy paragraph: "The company adopted a diversification strategy [TOPIC SENTENCE] to reduce risk and expand market share. By investing in three new sectors [EXAMPLE: technology, healthcare, renewable energy], they successfully increased revenue by 40% [RESULT]."
- Formal report paragraph: "The findings indicate a significant correlation between employee satisfaction and productivity [MAIN ARGUMENT]. Data collected from 500 respondents [METHOD] revealed that 78% of satisfied employees exceeded performance targets [EVIDENCE], compared to only 34% of dissatisfied employees [COMPARISON]."
- Vocabulary in context: "The new policy was met with 'skepticism' [UNKNOWN WORD] from industry leaders, who questioned its feasibility [CONTEXT CLUE: doubting/questioning]. Many remained unconvinced [SYNONYM CLUE: skepticism = doubt/lack of belief]."
- Hidden main idea: "Many factors contribute to childhood obesity. Poor diet is often cited as the primary cause. However, research increasingly suggests that lack of physical activity plays an equally important role [MAIN ARGUMENT — hidden in the middle, not the topic sentence]."
extensive
Extensive Reading — Reading for Pleasure & Fluency
Daily reading habit to build vocabulary, fluency, and cultural knowledge naturally.
StrategyWhen to use: daily reading habit to build vocabulary, fluency, and cultural knowledge
TipChoose texts slightly above your level; don't look up every word; aim for enjoyment and flow
Tip20 minutes of daily extensive reading is more effective than 2 hours of cramming once a week
Extensive Reading Habit Formula
Choose
Graded readers, English news apps (BBC, Reuters), blogs, short stories
Set a goal
1 article per day OR 10 pages per day
Don't stop
If you don't understand a word, try to guess from context — keep reading
Reflect
After reading, write 2–3 sentences summarizing what you read
Good Sources
BBC Learning English — read the news articles at your level every morning.
The Guardian or The Economist — ideal for advanced learners wanting authentic texts.
Short Stories in English for Beginners — graded fiction for intermediate learners.
Oxford Bookworms series — structured graded readers from A1 to C1.
Wikipedia articles on topics you love — naturally motivating and informative.
TED Talk transcripts — read along while watching for extra comprehension support.
Reddit threads on topics you're passionate about — informal but rich authentic language.
English subtitles while watching TV — a passive but effective reading habit.
exam strategy
How to Approach an Exam Reading Passage
Follow this order every time to maximize your score.
StrategyFollow this order every time to maximize your score
WarningNever read the full passage first then look at questions — this wastes time
Exam Passage Approach Formula
Step 1
Read the questions first — know what you're looking for
Step 2
Skim the passage for the general idea (30 seconds)
Step 3
For each question, scan the passage for the relevant section
Step 4
Read that section intensively and select/write your answer
Step 5
If unsure, make your best guess — never leave blank
Question Types
True/False/Not Given — scan for the specific claim, then verify carefully
Multiple choice — eliminate clearly wrong options first, then compare the remaining two
Heading matching — skim each paragraph for the main idea, then match to headings
Short answer — scan for the specific information, copy exact words from the text
Sentence completion — read the sentence carefully for grammar clues about the missing word
Summary completion — read the whole summary first, then scan for matching passage sections
T/F/NG
True / False / Not Given — The Trickiest Question Type
This is the question type most test-takers get wrong. Master it here.
TechniqueThis is the question type most test-takers get wrong
TipTRUE = the passage clearly says this | FALSE = the passage clearly contradicts this | NOT GIVEN = the passage doesn't mention it at all
WarningDo NOT use your own knowledge — only use what the passage says
T/F/NG Decision Formula
Ask
"Does the passage directly state this is true?" → If yes: TRUE
Ask
"Does the passage directly say the opposite?" → If yes: FALSE
Ask
"Is this idea simply not mentioned anywhere?" → If yes: NOT GIVEN
Key rule
If you find yourself thinking "probably" or "maybe" — the answer is NOT GIVEN
- TRUE: Statement: "The company was founded in 1998." | Passage: "The company was established in 1998." → Answer: TRUE (directly stated)
- FALSE: Statement: "The majority of employees work from home." | Passage: "Only a minority of staff work remotely." → Answer: FALSE (passage says the opposite)
- NOT GIVEN: Statement: "The CEO has a background in engineering." | Passage: "The CEO joined the company in 2010." → Answer: NOT GIVEN (no mention of background)
- TRUE: Statement: "Renewable energy costs have fallen in recent years." | Passage: "The price of solar and wind power has decreased significantly since 2015." → Answer: TRUE (confirms the statement)
- FALSE: Statement: "The study was conducted in three different countries." | Passage: "Researchers collected data from two nations." → Answer: FALSE (passage says two, not three)
- NOT GIVEN: Statement: "The government plans to increase funding next year." | Passage: "Current funding levels are insufficient." → Answer: NOT GIVEN (no mention of future plans)
- FALSE: Statement: "Sales increased by 20% in the second quarter." | Passage: "Annual sales rose by 20%." → Answer: FALSE (annual vs quarterly — different time periods)
- NOT GIVEN: Statement: "The author believes technology improves education." | Passage: "Technology has transformed classrooms." → Answer: NOT GIVEN (no opinion stated, just a fact)
context clues
Vocabulary in Context — Guessing Unknown Words
You don't need to know every word — learn to guess meaning from context.
TechniqueWhen to use: when you meet an unfamiliar word in a reading passage
TipYou don't need to know every word — guess the meaning from surrounding clues
Word Guessing Formula
Step 1
Look at the sentence the word is in — what topic is it about?
Step 2
Look for clues before and after the word (synonyms, opposites, examples)
Step 3
Check the grammar — is it a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?
Step 4
Replace the unknown word with your guess and check if the sentence makes sense
Step 5
Check for prefixes/suffixes: un-, dis-, re-, -tion, -ment, -ful, -less
Examples
'The arid landscape showed no signs of water.' — 'arid' must mean very dry, because it contrasts with 'water'.
'He was known for his prolific output — publishing over 50 books.' — 'prolific' means producing a lot.
'The benevolent donor gave millions to charity.' — 'benevolent' means generous/kind; prefix bene- means good.
'She was adamant that she would not change her mind.' — 'adamant' means completely firm/refusing to change.
'The new policy was met with skepticism.' — 'skepticism' means doubt; people didn't fully believe it.
'His meticulous attention to detail impressed everyone.' — 'meticulous' means very careful and precise.
'The company's revenue was negligible compared to competitors.' — 'negligible' means very small/barely worth mentioning.
'She felt apprehensive before the interview.' — 'apprehensive' means nervous/worried about something.
'The contract was deemed void after the signature was found to be forged.' — 'void' means invalid/not legally binding.
'His verbose speech lasted three hours.' — 'verbose' means using too many words; it has a negative tone.
paraphrasing
Paraphrasing in Exams — Matching Ideas Not Words
Exam questions rarely use the exact same words as the passage — they paraphrase.
TechniqueExam questions rarely use the exact same words as the passage — they paraphrase
TipWhen scanning for an answer, search for the idea, not the exact phrase
Paraphrase Recognition Formula
Original → Paraphrased
"children" → "young people / minors / kids"
Original → Paraphrased
"increase" → "rise / grow / go up / surge / climb"
Original → Paraphrased
"problems" → "challenges / difficulties / issues / concerns"
Original → Paraphrased
"says" → "claims / argues / states / suggests / reports"
Original → Paraphrased
"important" → "significant / crucial / vital / key / essential"
Original → Paraphrased
"because" → "due to / as a result of / owing to / since / given that"
- Passage: "The number of electric vehicles on the road has surged in recent years." | Question: "Electric car usage has increased significantly."
- Passage: "Young people are particularly vulnerable to online misinformation." | Question: "Teenagers and children are especially at risk from false information on the internet."
- Passage: "The initiative was abandoned due to a lack of funding." | Question: "The project was cancelled because there was insufficient money."
- Passage: "Researchers claim the findings are inconclusive." | Question: "Scientists say the results do not provide a clear answer."
- Passage: "The region experienced unprecedented flooding." | Question: "The area suffered from extreme floods never seen before."
- Passage: "Employees reported higher levels of job satisfaction after the policy change." | Question: "Workers became more content with their roles following the new regulation."
- Passage: "The drug was found to be highly efficacious in clinical trials." | Question: "The medicine proved very effective during testing."
- Passage: "Access to clean water remains scarce in many developing nations." | Question: "Many poorer countries still struggle to provide safe drinking water."
academic words
Academic Word List — High-Frequency Reading Words
These words appear in almost every academic or formal English text.
VocabularyThese words appear in almost every academic or formal English text
- Analysis & Research: analyse, assess, evaluate, examine, investigate, identify, demonstrate, establish
- Change & Process: develop, emerge, evolve, transform, shift, alter, modify, generate
- Structure & Argument: argue, claim, suggest, propose, indicate, conclude, outline, define
- Cause & Effect: cause, result, lead to, contribute to, affect, influence, determine, produce
- Comparison: compare, contrast, differ, similar, whereas, unlike, in contrast, correspond
- Data & Evidence: data, evidence, findings, results, statistics, survey, study, research
- Importance: significant, crucial, major, primary, fundamental, key, essential, notable
- Uncertainty: suggest, appear, seem, tend, likely, possibly, approximately, arguably
Examples in Context
The study examines the relationship between diet and cognitive performance.
These findings suggest a significant correlation between exercise and mental health.
The data indicates a sharp increase in urban migration over the past decade.
Researchers argue that early childhood education is crucial for long-term success.
The results demonstrate that the new treatment is considerably more effective.
This shift in policy has led to a fundamental change in how schools are funded.
Evidence suggests that social media use tends to peak among teenagers.
The two approaches differ significantly in both cost and efficiency.
The report outlines three key factors contributing to the decline in biodiversity.
These conclusions, however, should be interpreted with caution.
signal words
Signal Words — Reading the Author's Logic
Signal words tell you what the author is about to do next; recognizing them speeds up comprehension dramatically.
VocabularySignal words tell you what the author is about to do next; recognizing them speeds up comprehension dramatically
- Contrast (contradiction coming): however, nevertheless, yet, on the other hand, despite, although, even though, in contrast, conversely, that said, while
- Addition (more of the same): furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally, also, besides, what is more, not only... but also, likewise
- Cause (reason coming): because, since, as, due to, owing to, as a result of, given that
- Effect (result coming): therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a result, for this reason, this led to, this caused
- Example (illustration coming): for example, for instance, such as, to illustrate, namely, in particular, specifically, including
- Emphasis (important point): indeed, in fact, clearly, notably, above all, it is worth noting that, crucially, significantly
- Sequence (order): first, second, then, next, subsequently, finally, after that, to begin with, in the first place
- Concession (admitting the opposite): admittedly, it is true that, granted that, while it may be argued, even if
- Summary (conclusion coming): in conclusion, to summarize, overall, in short, on balance, to sum up, all in all
Examples
'The treatment is effective; however, it has serious side effects.' — 'however' signals a contrast: something negative follows.
'Sales rose sharply. Furthermore, customer satisfaction improved.' — 'furthermore' signals more positive news.
'The factory closed. Consequently, 500 workers lost their jobs.' — 'consequently' signals a direct result.
'The policy was widely praised. Nevertheless, critics argued it didn't go far enough.' — 'nevertheless' signals disagreement.
'Several factors contribute to obesity — for instance, poor diet and lack of exercise.' — 'for instance' signals examples are coming.
'Admittedly, the study has limitations. However, the core findings remain valid.' — 'admittedly' signals a concession before a counter-argument.
'To summarize, the evidence points strongly toward environmental causes.' — 'to summarize' signals the final conclusion.
'Although costs have risen, productivity has also increased.' — 'although' signals two opposing ideas in one sentence.
word parts
Prefix & Suffix Power — Decode Any Word
Knowing common prefixes and suffixes lets you guess the meaning of thousands of new words.
TechniqueKnowing common prefixes and suffixes lets you guess the meaning of thousands of new words
Word Decoding Formula
Identify the prefix
un-, dis-, re-, mis-, over-, under-, pre-, post-, anti-, inter-
Identify the root
act, form, vis, port, ject, dict, scrib, struct, spec
Identify the suffix
-tion, -ment, -ful, -less, -ness, -ity, -ous, -ive, -able, -ify, -ize
Combine
"un" + "predict" + "able" = unpredictable = cannot be predicted
- Prefixes: unnecessary (un = not), disagree (dis = opposite), reorganize (re = again), mislead (mis = wrongly), overestimate (over = too much), underestimate (under = too little), preview (pre = before), postpone (post = after), antibiotic (anti = against), international (inter = between)
- Suffixes: -tion: education (act of educating), -ment: improvement (state of improving), -ful: careful (full of care), -less: careless (without care), -ness: darkness (state of being dark), -ity: creativity (quality of being creative), -ous: dangerous (full of danger), -ive: creative (tending to create), -able: readable (capable of being read), -ify: clarify (to make clear)
- Combined decoding: "incomprehensible" = in(not) + comprehend(understand) + ible(able to) = cannot be understood
- Combined decoding: "overcautious" = over(too much) + cautious(careful) = too careful
- Combined decoding: "misinformation" = mis(wrong) + inform(tell) + ation(noun) = wrong information deliberately spread
academic
Reading Academic Texts & Research Papers
Academic texts are dense; never try to read them like a novel.
StrategyAcademic texts are dense; never try to read them like a novel
TipRead abstract first → then conclusion → then intro → then body sections relevant to your purpose
Academic Text Reading Formula
Step 1
Read the abstract (summary of the whole paper)
Step 2
Read the conclusion (findings and implications)
Step 3
Read the introduction (background and research question)
Step 4
Read only the sections relevant to your specific purpose
Step 5
Note key terms, data, and citations for reference
Examples
The abstract clearly states that the study found a positive correlation between sleep and academic performance.
Before reading the full article, I skimmed the headings to identify which sections were relevant to my research.
The methodology section explains that 200 participants were recruited over a six-month period.
The conclusion argues that further research is needed before any policy changes are made.
According to the findings, the experimental group showed significantly better results than the control group.
The literature review suggests that previous studies on this topic have produced inconsistent results.
news
Reading News Articles & Reports
News follows the "inverted pyramid" structure — most important information comes first.
StrategyNews follows the "inverted pyramid" structure — most important information comes first
TipThe headline + first paragraph often contain the full story; read these first
News Article Reading Formula
Headline
Tells you the main event or finding
Lead paragraph
Who, What, When, Where, Why (first 1–2 sentences)
Body
Supporting details, quotes, background
Final paragraph
Context or less important information
Examples
The headline 'Scientists discover link between diet and longevity' tells me immediately what the article is about.
The first paragraph answers the 5 Ws — who conducted the study, what they found, when it was published.
The quote in paragraph three gives the researcher's direct opinion on the findings.
The final paragraph provides historical context about previous research in this area.
This is a feature article, not a news report — it focuses on analysis rather than reporting facts.
The subheadings break the report into three sections: causes, effects, and proposed solutions.
Words like 'claims' and 'alleges' in news articles signal that the information hasn't been verified.
Charts and graphs in reports often summarize the most important data — always read the captions.
data visual
Reading Graphs, Charts & Infographics
In exams and professional settings, you often need to read and understand visual data.
TechniqueIn exams and professional settings, you often need to read and understand visual data
TipAlways read the title, axes labels, legend, and any footnotes before interpreting the data
Chart Reading Formula
Step 1
Read the title — what is being measured?
Step 2
Read the axes or categories — what are the variables?
Step 3
Identify the trend — is it rising, falling, fluctuating, or stable?
Step 4
Find the highest and lowest points
Step 5
Look for significant changes, gaps, or anomalies
Step 6
Read any footnotes or source information
Examples
The bar chart illustrates the percentage of students achieving grade A in five subjects.
According to the line graph, sales rose steadily from January to March, before declining sharply in April.
The pie chart shows that over half — 54% — of respondents preferred option A.
There was a significant drop in production in 2020, likely due to the global pandemic.
The data peaked in 2022, reaching approximately 3.5 million units.
Throughout the period shown, temperatures remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations.
A sharp increase can be observed between 2018 and 2019, after which growth slowed considerably.
The figures for Group A and Group B follow a similar trend, though Group B consistently scores higher.
By 2025, the proportion of remote workers had more than doubled compared to 2019.
The table compares the GDP of six countries over a ten-year period.
critical
Critical Reading — Reading Between the Lines
Advanced reading means questioning and evaluating, not just understanding.
StrategyAdvanced reading means questioning and evaluating, not just understanding
TipAsk yourself: Who wrote this? What is their purpose? Is this fact or opinion? Is the evidence reliable?
Critical Reading Questions Formula
Purpose
Why was this text written? To inform / persuade / entertain / sell?
Audience
Who is this written for? Experts / general public / students / policymakers?
Tone
Is the writer neutral, biased, enthusiastic, critical, or sarcastic?
Evidence
Is the evidence factual (statistics, research) or opinion (personal belief)?
Balance
Does the text present both sides, or only one perspective?
Reliability
Is the source credible? Is it recent? Is it peer-reviewed or unverified?
- News editorial: Identified as opinion-based with emotional language like "outrageous" and "must" — writer is trying to persuade, not just inform.
- Advertisement disguised as article: Identified by promotional language ("revolutionary", "amazing results"), one-sided claims, and lack of balanced criticism.
- Scientific abstract: Identified as credible due to clear methodology, peer-review journal, recent publication date, and statistical data.
- Social media post about health: Identified as unreliable due to lack of sources, anecdotal evidence only, and author has no medical credentials.
- Government report: Identified as official and well-researched, but potentially biased toward a political position — check for alternative perspectives.
- Balanced feature article: Identified by use of multiple perspectives, quotes from different experts, neutral language, and acknowledgment of limitations.