BitWithBite
IELTS Prep · Reading · Quick Reference
Lesson 7 — Reading Strategies Cheat Sheet
In one line: Skim for the main idea, scan for specific details, read in detail only around the answer — using the wrong speed wastes the most time.
Key Ideas
1Skimming (2–3 min). First sentence of each paragraph — main idea only.
2Scanning (~30 sec). Fast eye movement for names, numbers, dates.
3Detailed reading (1–2 min). For True/False/Not Given and sentence completion.
460 minutes total across 3 passages, 40 questions.
Time Per Passage
Passage 1 (13 Qs, easiest)
17 min
Passage 2 (13 Qs, medium)
20 min
Passage 3 (14 Qs, hardest)
23 min