READING TEST

Role of Keywords

• Finding the right keywords shorten the time you would have otherwise spent on the question by a huge margin.
• Locating the answers in the passage becomes easier, if you identify keywords from the questions.
• Sometimes the keywords can be made out of the options given in answers too.
• Identify the focus of the question, especially in MCQs.

Skimming:

• Read the entire introductory paragraph and then the first and last sentence only of each following paragraph.
• For each paragraph, read only the first few words of each sentence or to locate the main idea.
• Stop and quickly read the sentences containing keywords indicated in boldface or italics or in inverted commas.
• When you think you have found something significant, stop to read the entire sentence to make sure. Then go on the same way.
• Resist the temptation to stop to read details you don't need.

Scanning:

• Read questions and identify keywords.
• Know what you're looking for. Decide on a few key words or phrases.
• Look for only one keyword at a time. If you use multiple keywords, do multiple scans.
• Let your eyes float rapidly down the page until you find the word or phrase you want.
• When your eye catches one of your keywords, read the surrounding material carefully.
• Re-read the question to determine if the answer you found answers this question.