Best techniques to improve your reading, Scanning (part 2 out of 3)

Last updated: February 13, 2025

This article is going to focus on useful reading tips and resources for IELTS reading practice and tests, as well as certain reading exercises, specifically Scanning!

Reading strategies

As was said in the first part, two main strategies for reading are skimming and scanning, and while skimming focuses on the general ideas(gist), Scanning is like a magnifying glass, you use it to find specific details, and words!

How to scan in reading?

Well, that is easy but the most challenging at the same time!

The overal framework is going to look something like:

1. Understand what you are looking for
2. Think about synonyms or paraphrases that might be useful
3. Skim the article to understand the overal possible locations of the info you are looking for
4. Find the information you are looking for, and highlight or underline it, not to forget where it is
5. Apply the information you found to answer the question

Voila, you have successfully scanned the passage and answered the questions! Although the third step may be confusing, that is precisely why this is the second part; you can find how to skim here.

Let’s practice?

Copyright warning: the following examples are taken from IELTS practice tests plus, accessed on scribd.com

As was already said, the first step is to understand what you need to find! So look at these questions and find the keywords

Correct keywords (click to expand):

Obviously names of scientists: Dr.Fienberg, Adrian Hunt, Rick Bonney, Dr. Carlson And some words from the questions, like
9. Amateur involvement ... instructive pastime
10. Amateur ... prone... accidents
11. Science ... not belong ... professional ... alone
12. certain areas ... people ... more valuable ... technology
13. give amateurs ... name ... reflects ... value

As you probably noticed, some keywords are quite repetitive and, therefore, are probably not going to be paraphrased in the text; however, you should always think about whether they are possible.

The next step is skimming the text! Go through it, and do an activity after the text.

In Praise Of Amateurs

A. During the 17th century scientific revolution, scientists were mostly wealthy men who pursued their interest in natural philosophy for their own edification. It has only been possible to make a living studying the workings of nature for the past century or two. To put it another way, modern science was built on the efforts of amateurs. Science is becoming increasingly specialised and compartmentalised, with experts knowing more and more about less and less. Surprisingly, amateurs – even those with limited financial resources – are still important.

B. A recent poll conducted by astronomer Dr. Richard Fienberg at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science revealed that, in addition to astronomy, amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology. Amateur scientists, far from being crackpots, are frequently in contact with professionals, some of whom rely heavily on their cooperation.

C. Some fields, admittedly, are more accessible to amateurs than others. Anything that necessitates the purchase of expensive equipment is clearly a no-no. And some types of research can be hazardous; according to Dr. Fienberg, the majority of amateur chemists are either locked up or have blown themselves up. However, amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology, and the rise of the Internet has made collecting data and disseminating results easier than ever before.

D. Which field of study has benefited the most from amateur contributions is a matter of contention. Dr. Fienberg makes a compelling case for the study of astronomy. He points out that amateur and professional sky watchers have a long history of working together. Amateurs found many asteroids, comets, and planet Uranus. Observing the brightness of variable stars and detecting novae—‘new’ stars in the Milky Way and supernovae in other galaxies—are still important tasks for amateur astronomers today, in addition to comet and asteroid spotting. According to Dr. Fienberg, amateur observers are beneficial because there are so many of them (far outnumbering professionals) and because they are located all over the world. This allows for unique observations: for example, if several observers around the world accurately record the time when a star is eclipsed by an asteroid, useful information about the asteroid’s shape can be derived.

E. Palaeontology is another field where amateurs have historically played a significant role. Adrian Hunt, a palaeontologist at Mesa Technical College in New Mexico, claims that his field is the one where amateurs have had the most impact. Despite advances in technology, he claims that the best sensors for finding fossils are human eyes – and lots of them.

F. Because of the near universal interest in anything dinosaur-related, he says, finding volunteers to look for fossils isn’t difficult. Volunteers learn about science while also assisting with the research, which he refers to as recreational education.’

G. In his field, Rick Bonney of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, believes that amateurs have made the most contributions. He points out that there are an estimated 60 million birdwatchers in the United States alone. Mr Bonney has enlisted thousands of amateurs in a number of research projects due to their large numbers and wide geographic coverage. Their observations over the last few years have revealed previously unknown trends and cycles in bird migrations, as well as declines in the breeding populations of several migratory bird species, prompting habitat conservation efforts.

H. Collaboration between amateurs and professionals, despite its successes and regardless of the field of study, is not without its challenges. The term ‘amateur,’ for example, does not sit well with everyone. Mr Bonney coined the term “citizen scientist” because he thought other terms, such as “volunteer,” were derogatory. The question of how professionals can best acknowledge amateur contributions is a more serious issue. Some amateur astronomers, according to Dr. Fienberg, are happy to provide their observations but complain about not being reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Others are disappointed when their findings are included in scientific papers but they are not listed as co-authors. Some amateur palaeontologists, according to Dr. Hunt, are disappointed when they are told they cannot take their finds home with them.

I. These are legitimate concerns but none seems insurmountable. There’s no reason why amateurs and professionals can’t work together if they agree on the terms of their collaboration ahead of time. Dr. S. Carlson, the founder of the Society for Amateur Scientists, received a $290,000 award last year for his efforts to promote such collaboration. He claims that one of the prize’s main benefits is the recognition it has given to amateur scientists’ contributions, which has helped silence critics among professionals who believe science should be their exclusive domain.

J. Dr. Carlson says the society is currently working on a number of projects, including an innovative rocket design project and the establishment of a network of observers to look for evidence of a link between earthquakes and low-frequency radiations. He claims that amateurs contribute enthusiasm and talent, while professionals provide guidance so that whatever they discover is taken seriously.’ Having laid the foundations of science, amateurs will have so much to give to its expanding structure.

Locating information (Skimming activity)

This reading passage has ten paragraphs, A–J.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A - J, as your answer to each question.

1. Scientific disciplines are growing more specialized and divided into separate subfields.

2. Amateurs also take interest in fields like acoustics and horticulture.

3. Amateurs bring passion and skills to their areas of interest, while experts offer direction and mentorship.

4. According to Rick Bonney, non-specialists have made the greatest contributions in his field of study.

5. People without formal credentials can provide meaningful input across diverse domains, from rocket science to fossil studies.

Answers (click to see)

1. Paragraph A
   Explanation: Science is becoming increasingly specialised and compartmentalised, with experts knowing more and more about less and less.
   
2. Paragraph B
   Explanation: in addition to astronomy, amateurs are also interested in acoustics, horticulture, ornithology, meteorology, hydrology, and palaeontology.
   
3. Paragraph J
   Explanation: Amateurs contribute enthusiasm and talent, while professionals provide guidance
   
4. Paragraph G
   Explanation: Rick Bonney of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, believes that amateurs have made the most contributions.
   
5. Paragraph C
   Explanation: Amateurs can make valuable contributions in fields ranging from rocketry to palaeontology.

And Finally answer the questions!

Answers (click to see)