4.
Matching Questions:
There are various types of matching questions in IELTS reading tests and each one
is different from another.
4(a) Matching Headings:
In this type of question, a list of headings will be given and you are asked to match
these headings with a paragraph in the passage. You should read the headings
before you begin reading the text. To get the correct answer, you have to read the
complete paragraph and not just stop with the first few lines of the paragraph. There
will also be many other headings that are not related to any of the paragraphs given
in the passage, in such cases, try to identify those types of headings too. Here is a
sample matching headings question:
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below. Write the correct num
viii, in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet. List of Headings
1. Dramatic effects can result from small changes in traffic just as in nature
2. How a maths experiment reduced traffic congestion
3. How a concept from one field of study was applied in another
4. A lack of investment in driver training
5. Areas of doubt and disagreement between experts
6. How different countries have dealt with traffic congestion
7. The impact of driver behaviour on traffic speed
8. A proposal to take control away from the driver
1. Section A
2. Section B
3. Section C
4. Section D
5. Section E
4 (b) Matching information:
Matching Information questions have a list which contains information taken from the
paragraphs. You are asked to find out the paragraph from which the information is
taken. Sometimes the question may be tricky because the information given might
not be in exact words as given in the paragraph instead it will be paraphrased so you
need to read the paragraph to understand the meaning/idea behind it to answer
these questions. Here is a sample matching information question:
Answer the following questions by choosing the correct responses A–P. Write your answers in bo
13 on your answer sheet.
9. What was the children’s most frequent response when asked where the rain
forests were?
10. What was the most common response to the question about the importance
of rain forests?
11. What did most children give as the reason for the loss of the rain forests?
12. Why did most children think it important for the rain forests to be protected?
13. Which of the responses is cited as unexpectedly uncommon, given the
amount of time spent on the issue by the newspapers and television?
