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To accurately read a pipette, you need to focus on the volume markings along the length of the pipette. When reading a graduated pipette (like a serological pipette), always ensure that the liquid is level and that the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid) is clearly visible. For most liquids, the reading should be taken from the bottom of the meniscus. When the liquid is inside the pipette, ensure the pipette is held vertically to avoid parallax errors. The volume reading is determined by aligning the meniscus with the nearest graduation mark. For precision, ensure that the pipette is free of air bubbles, and check the meniscus at eye level to avoid reading errors. With a volumetric pipette, the volume is typically predetermined and marked clearly on the instrument, so you can simply check the graduation that corresponds to the desired volume.