Scanning for the TOEIC test

Scanning is one of the most important techniques in reading a passage. When scanning, you look only for a specific fact or piece of information without reading everything. Here, we concentrate on how to scan to effectively deal with specific information questions in the TOEIC Part 7

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​In this section, you are asked to read different passages and then answer specific information questions related to them by using the technique of scanning.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

1. For whom is this letter intended?

A. Alberto Romero

B. Benjamin Weintraub

C. John Teirney

D. Alex Andreas

2. What kind of job does the applicant want?

A. Human resources

B. Advertising

C. Marketing

D. Sales

3. Where did Mr. Romero want to work?

A. In Britain

B. In North America

C. In Eastern Europe

D. In Asia

Scan the text and answer the questions

Alberto Romero

3254 Turney Road

Garfield Heights

OH 44125

USA

Dear Mr. Romero,

This letter is to thank you for your application to join our international sales team. Unfortunately, we must inform you that due to the large number of highly-qualified applicants that applied for the position of Eastern European sales representative, we have already filled all the positions that were advertised in the May issue of the Human Resources Bulletin.

As you know, administrative and marketing positions in our European and AsiaPacific offices regularly become available during the year and we would welcome your application for future international postings.

Yours truly,

Alex Andreas

p.p. Benjamin Weintraub

Human Resources Manager

London Office

John Teirney & Sons Ltd.

1. For whom is this letter intended?

A. Alberto Romero

B. Benjamin Weintraub

C. John Teirney

D. Alex Andreas

2. What kind of job does the applicant want?

A. Human resources

B. Advertising

C. Marketing

D. Sales

3. Where did Mr. Romero want to work?

A. In Britain

B. In North America

C. In Eastern Europe

D. In Asia

​In this example, we can see that the second and third questions ask about specific information.

In question number 2, the keywords are “kind of job”, “applicant” and “want”. Then, we need to scan to look for information. Information is in the sentence “This letter is to thank you for your application to join our international sales team”. D is the correct answer. 

With question number 3, the keywords are “where”, “Mr. Romero” and “want to work”. Then, we need to scan to look for information. Information is in the sentence “we must inform you that due to the large number of highly-qualified applicants that applied for the position of Eastern European sales representative”. C is the correct answer. 

How to use scanning in the TOEIC test​?

- Read questions and underline the keywords.

- Scan the passage to look for the information needed.

- Choose the correct answer.