- Not Reading Around Keywords: When students scan for keywords, they sometimes overlook the broader context in which those words appear. It’s important to read the sentences before and after the keywords to fully understand the intended meaning.
- Focusing Only on Exact Matches: While scanning for keywords is important, some students only look for exact matches in the passage. IELTS often uses paraphrasing, so if you’re only searching for the same words as those in the question, you might miss the right answer. Look for synonyms and similar expressions instead.
