Reading quickly is a valuable skill, but one must read fast and comprehend well to achieve it. Time how fast you can read the passage below, then answer the questions below to test your comprehension, to see how well you can speed read!
Start your timer!
Speed reading is not just racing through a passage. Once honed, it becomes a powerful technique that, when combined with effective comprehension strategies, can significantly enhance your cognitive abilities—not only in reading but also in learning other new skills. At its core, speed reading involves training your eyes and brain to process information more efficiently, minimising habits like subvocalization—where you “say” words in your mind as you read. By practising methods such as using a pointer or finger to guide your eyes, expanding your peripheral vision, and chunking words together, you can increase your reading speed while still understanding the material and even enjoying the process more.
Comprehension is the critical companion to speed. Without it, reading quickly becomes meaningless. Focus on active reading strategies: preview the text by skimming headings and subheadings, ask yourself questions about the content before diving in, and summarise key points after each section. This improves recall while also encouraging deeper, critical thinking. This approach keeps your brain engaged and helps you retain more information. Over time, these habits strengthen your cognitive abilities, making it easier to process complex ideas and remember important details.
Combining speed reading with comprehension exercises creates a virtuous cycle for your brain. As you challenge yourself to read faster and understand more, your brain adapts by forming new neural connections. These adaptations support lifelong learning and mental resilience. It’s like a workout for your mind, just as physical exercise builds muscle, reading efficiently builds cognitive strength. Studies suggest that people who regularly practice speed reading and comprehension techniques experience improved memory, sharper focus, and enhanced problem-solving skills.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, these skills empower you to absorb vast amounts of information quickly and effectively. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can unlock your brain’s full potential, remain mentally agile, and keep pace with the ever-growing demands of the information age.
Stop your timer!
Answer these true or false statements to ensure you understood the passage.
1. Skimming headings is a bad speed-reading strategy.
2. Subvocalization is a habit in which you mentally say words as you read.
3. The passage compares speed-reading to racing a fast car.
4. Memory, focus, and problem-solving skills improve with speed-reading skills.
5. The passage describes speed-reading as ‘valuable’ for the brain.
The Results
The odd-numbered statements are false, whereas the even-numbered statements are true. If you answered all five questions correctly and took one minute or less to read the passage, you are an excellent speed reader. The passage has 319 words, but the average reader reads about 240 words per minute. If you took over three minutes to read the passage, its advice might be worthwhile to you! Speed-reading is a valuable skill, but ultimately, reading is to be enjoyed at your own pace.
