Keywords are the words that carry a question or a sentence. Whoever identifies them finds the matching spot in the text faster. Here you learn how this reading technique works.
Identifying keywords: the most important thing first
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Keywords are mostly nouns, verbs or numbers that form the core of a statement. Small words like articles or filler words, on the other hand, are rarely important. If you mark the keyword in the question, you know what to search for in the text. Where this technique helps in reading comprehension is shown in the overview of the B2 exam sections, and more on this is in reading comprehension tips.
How to use keywords
- Mark one or two keywords in each question.
- Search the text for these words or their synonyms.
- Note: the exam often rephrases, the matching word in the text may be different.
This technique is closely related to selective reading and also applies to B1.
Why synonyms are decisive
Often the text does not contain the same word as the question but a synonym. That is why a good vocabulary helps you recognise the right spot.
The bottom line
Identifying keywords is the most important reading technique: mark the core, search the text, watch for synonyms. That is how you find the answer quickly and confidently.
