Skimming is likely most effective for which reading task?

Skimming is an effective reading strategy that allows readers to quickly gather the main ideas and overall structure of a text without diving deeply into every detail. When previewing a chapter in a content-area textbook, skimming can help readers quickly identify key concepts, headings, and subheadings, giving them a framework for what the chapter covers. This approach enables learners to form initial impressions and determine which sections might require closer reading later.

In this context, skimming serves as a valuable tool for organizing thoughts and focusing attention on important topics, making it an ideal choice for previewing content. Other tasks, such as evaluating the validity of information, synthesizing facts for research, or studying specific details for an exam, typically demand more thorough reading and critical analysis than skimming can provide. These tasks often require careful consideration of arguments, nuance, and supporting evidence, which are not captured through quick skimming.