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Lessons›Reading›B1 Foundation

Skimming for the main idea

Learn to read a text quickly for its main idea, using the title, first sentences and topic sentences, before you read for details.

Start hereLevel B1 15 min4 exercisesLesson 1 of 12 in Reading B1

Trains: IELTS Reading – Matching headings, TOEFL iBT Reading – Read an Academic Passage, TOEIC Reading Part 7 – Reading Comprehension

Free

Start lesson All reading lessons

This lesson includes:

15 minutes of study
4 interactive exercises with instant feedback
2 reading passages
12 key words for flashcards
3 exam tips

What you'll learn

Skim a text in one or two minutes and say what it is mainly about
Find the topic sentence of a paragraph
Tell the difference between a main idea and a supporting detail

Lesson content

8 steps · 4 exercises · 15 min total

1. Warm-up2 questions
2. LearnThe skill and the strategy
3. ModelSee how it's done
4. Practice 1Check the model text
5. Practice 2Skim for the main idea + 2 more
6. Exam tips3 tips
7. Key vocabulary12 words
8. SummaryReview and finish

Next · B1 Scanning for details