What strategies can enhance effective skimming of a passage?

• A. Focus on headings, topic sentences, and keywords
• B. Read each word carefully for detail
• C. Summarize the passage in full sentences
• D. Take comprehensive notes on every paragraph

Answer: (A)

The strategy of focusing on headings, topic sentences, and keywords is vital for effective skimming. This approach allows the reader to quickly identify the main ideas and structure of the passage without getting bogged down in the details. Headings often indicate major themes or sections, while topic sentences summarize the main point of each paragraph. Keywords provide clues about essential concepts and can help in grasping the core message rapidly.

By concentrating on these elements, readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the passage’s overall argument or narrative. This technique is especially beneficial in test situations where time is limited, as it enables efficient processing of information and facilitates a quicker assessment of the text’s relevance to the questions posed.