- LPU MCA Semester 1
- PEL546
- Unit 6
PEL546 · Unit 6: Vocabulary and reading comprehension
Skimming and scanning, identifying the main idea
10 practice questions · in the ETE syllabus
Key points
- Skimming finds the general idea; scanning finds specific details
- Use titles, headings and first sentences to skim
- The main idea is supported by all the sentences
- A minor detail is not the main idea
Skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea: look at the title, headings, first and last sentences and the first line of each paragraph. Scanning means moving your eyes over the text to find a specific piece of information, such as a date, a name or a number, without reading everything.
| Technique | Purpose | Example task |
|---|---|---|
| Skimming | Overview of topic and structure | What is the passage about? |
| Scanning | Find a particular detail | In which year was the company founded? |
| Close reading | Understand details, tone and inference | What is the writer's attitude? |
The main idea is the central point that the whole passage supports. It is often stated in a topic sentence, usually at the beginning (and sometimes at the end as a conclusion), while the other sentences give reasons, examples or details. A good main idea is general enough to cover all the sentences but is not a single minor detail.
Exam trap: an option that is true in the passage but only a minor detail is not the main idea.
Try two questions
Read: Rivers carry water, soil and nutrients to farmland. Many cities also depend on rivers for drinking water and transport. Rivers are therefore vital to human life. What is the main idea?
- Farmland is the most important use of land.
- Rivers are vital to human life because they supply water, soil and transport.
- Cities should be built far away from rivers.
- Transport on rivers is cheaper than on roads.
Show the answer
B. The last sentence states the main idea, and the earlier sentences give support.
Why not A: Farmland is mentioned only as one example.
Why not C: The passage does not say that cities should avoid rivers.
Why not D: The passage does not compare costs.
Which question is best answered by scanning rather than skimming?
- What is the passage mainly about?
- What is the writer's overall attitude?
- What is the general structure of the article?
- What was the date of the meeting?
Show the answer
D. A specific fact such as a date is found by scanning.
Why not A: The main topic is found by skimming.
Why not B: Attitude needs careful reading of the whole text.
Why not C: Structure is found by skimming headings.