IGCSE Language A

Reading techniques

You have 2 hours and around 2,000 words of unseen text to read. Use the right technique for the right job - never read every passage at the same speed.

Skimming

First pass - 2 minutes per passage

Purpose: Get the overall gist, topic, tone and structure of the passage before any question is attempted.

How to do it

Read the title and any headings first - they signal the main topic.
Read the opening and closing sentences of each paragraph.
Look for signal words: but, however, therefore, in contrast.
Note the writer's general attitude: positive, critical, neutral?

Common pitfall: Do not try to understand every word. Skimming is for the big picture only.

Scanning

When hunting for specific information

Purpose: Find a specific detail, date, name or key word quickly to answer a short-answer question.

How to do it

Know exactly what you are looking for before scanning (e.g. a number, a name).
Move your finger or pen down the page in a zig-zag.
Let unimportant words blur - your eye is only searching for the target.
Stop, read the sentence carefully, then return to the question.

Common pitfall: Do not read the whole passage word-by-word again. Scan, stop, verify, move on.

Close reading

For language analysis (Q2) and inference

Purpose: Read slowly and deliberately to understand the writer's intended effects and layered meanings.

How to do it

Read at quarter speed. Pause after each sentence.
Ask why the writer chose this word rather than a synonym.
Notice verbs, adjectives, imagery, sentence length and rhythm.
Look for connotations - what does each word suggest beyond its dictionary meaning?

Common pitfall: Do not fall into feature-spotting. Always link each observation to the effect on the reader.

Annotating

While reading - integrated with other techniques

Purpose: Leave a visible trail of thoughts on the page so you can find evidence fast when writing answers.

How to do it

Underline key content points (useful for summary writing).
Circle powerful verbs, adjectives and images (useful for Q2).
Margin notes: short labels like "fear", "contrast", "climax".
Draw a vertical line next to a paragraph if it has a shift in tone.

Common pitfall: Do not highlight everything. If half the passage is marked, nothing stands out.

Putting it all together in the exam

1Skim all three passages quickly at the start. Do not try to remember details - just get the tone and topic.
2Read Q1 questions first, then scan Text A for each answer in order.
3Close read Text B for Q2. Annotate powerful words and link each to an effect.
4Point-spot Texts A and C for Q3 summary. Underline every discrete piece of information.

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IGCSE Language A

Reading techniques

You have 2 hours and around 2,000 words of unseen text to read. Use the right technique for the right job - never read every passage at the same speed.

Skimming

First pass - 2 minutes per passage

Purpose: Get the overall gist, topic, tone and structure of the passage before any question is attempted.

How to do it

Read the title and any headings first - they signal the main topic.
Read the opening and closing sentences of each paragraph.
Look for signal words: but, however, therefore, in contrast.
Note the writer's general attitude: positive, critical, neutral?

Common pitfall: Do not try to understand every word. Skimming is for the big picture only.

Scanning

When hunting for specific information

Purpose: Find a specific detail, date, name or key word quickly to answer a short-answer question.

How to do it

Know exactly what you are looking for before scanning (e.g. a number, a name).
Move your finger or pen down the page in a zig-zag.
Let unimportant words blur - your eye is only searching for the target.
Stop, read the sentence carefully, then return to the question.

Common pitfall: Do not read the whole passage word-by-word again. Scan, stop, verify, move on.

Close reading

For language analysis (Q2) and inference

Purpose: Read slowly and deliberately to understand the writer's intended effects and layered meanings.

How to do it

Read at quarter speed. Pause after each sentence.
Ask why the writer chose this word rather than a synonym.
Notice verbs, adjectives, imagery, sentence length and rhythm.
Look for connotations - what does each word suggest beyond its dictionary meaning?

Common pitfall: Do not fall into feature-spotting. Always link each observation to the effect on the reader.

Annotating

While reading - integrated with other techniques

Purpose: Leave a visible trail of thoughts on the page so you can find evidence fast when writing answers.

How to do it

Underline key content points (useful for summary writing).
Circle powerful verbs, adjectives and images (useful for Q2).
Margin notes: short labels like "fear", "contrast", "climax".
Draw a vertical line next to a paragraph if it has a shift in tone.

Common pitfall: Do not highlight everything. If half the passage is marked, nothing stands out.

Putting it all together in the exam

1Skim all three passages quickly at the start. Do not try to remember details - just get the tone and topic.
2Read Q1 questions first, then scan Text A for each answer in order.
3Close read Text B for Q2. Annotate powerful words and link each to an effect.
4Point-spot Texts A and C for Q3 summary. Underline every discrete piece of information.

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Reading techniques

Putting it all together in the exam

Reading techniques

Putting it all together in the exam