What is the primary purpose of skimming a text?

Skimming a text serves the primary purpose of gauging overall meaning and identifying main ideas. This technique involves quickly moving through the material to grasp its general themes, structure, and essential points without getting bogged down in intricate details. By skimming, a reader can efficiently assess whether the content is relevant or valuable for further reading and comprehension.

This approach is particularly useful when one needs to determine the relevance of a text quickly, such as during research or while scanning for specific information in books or articles. Skimming allows for a broader understanding of the text's intent and argument structure, which is essential for effective studying and comprehension in educational contexts.