Hello, I’m Chen Wei, and over the past decade as an IELTS Reading coach, I’ve seen that one key skill separates Band 6 candidates from Band 8 performers — Skimming for Main Ideas. In the IELTS Reading test, time is your most limited resource. Skimming allows you to capture the overall message of each passage in seconds, helping you answer global questions and locate detailed information faster later on.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to skim effectively, what to focus on, and how to integrate this skill into your overall reading strategy
Skimming means reading quickly to understand the general meaning — not every word. You focus on:
Think of it as “reading with wide eyes”: you move across the text to see patterns and ideas rather than fine details.
Skimming is essential for:
1️⃣ Read the Title and Any Subheadings
Titles tell you the topic. Subheadings (if present) show how the passage is divided.
Example:
“The History of Timekeeping” → Topic is about how humans measured time through history.
2️⃣ Read the First and Last Sentences of Each Paragraph
The first sentence usually introduces the main idea. The last often summarises or transitions.
Paragraph Section | Function | Example |
First sentence | Topic / Theme | “Before the invention of mechanical clocks, people used the sun to measure time.” |
Last sentence | Summary / Transition | “However, these early methods were far from accurate.” |
3️⃣ Note Repeated Words or Phrases
If a term appears several times, it’s likely the central topic. For example, “renewable energy,” “solar,” “wind,” may indicate the passage’s main theme is alternative energy sources.
4️⃣ Ignore Examples and Details
Skimming is not about understanding everything. Skip names, figures, and dates — these can be located later during scanning.
5️⃣ Summarise Mentally
After each paragraph, say to yourself:
“This paragraph is mainly about …”
This keeps your comprehension active and focused on meaning, not memory
Here’s a short example of how to apply skimming.
Text Excerpt:
For centuries, humans have looked to the stars to measure time. Ancient civilisations built stone structures aligned with the sun’s position to mark seasonal changes. With technological progress, clocks became more precise, leading to the atomic standards used today.
Skim Summary:
That’s the essence of skimming — identifying the overall theme in under 15 seconds
1️⃣ Reading too slowly — Skimming is not detailed reading. Move your eyes fast; aim for 250–300 words per minute.
2️⃣ Trying to memorise details — Focus on meaning, not remembering data.
3️⃣ Skipping the introduction or conclusion — These often contain the passage’s main message.
4️⃣ Reading question first — For skimming, you should first grasp the passage globally, then go to the questions.
Passage Title: Urban Farming: Feeding Cities of the Future
Skim quickly for 30 seconds. Then answer:
(Answer: It discusses how urban agriculture could solve food supply challenges in growing cities.)
Practise this with real IELTS texts — the more you skim, the faster your brain recognises structure.
Skill | Benefit |
Understanding passage flow | Helps predict where answers appear |
Reducing rereading time | Speeds up scanning later |
Boosting comprehension | Enables better connection between ideas |
Improving accuracy in heading questions | Helps you choose correct paragraph titles |
Skimming also supports time management — you’ll spend less time getting lost in details and more time answering correctly.
In short, Skimming for Main Ideas trains your brain to see the bigger picture before diving into detail. It builds confidence, speed, and structure awareness — crucial for Band 7 and above.
Next, move on to Scanning for Details to learn how to locate facts, numbers, and names efficiently.
Or revisit the IELTS Reading Skills & Exam Strategy page to explore other core reading techniques.
For additional guidance, check the British Council IELTS Reading Tips page for official examples and practice tasks.
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