The IELTS is an exam that certifies the English skills of people who wish to study or work abroad. It comprises four section out of which many find the IELTS reading to be quite hard. It is because this module has many different types of questions. One of the task that confuses test takers is the matching heading one. So, in this article, learn about the ways in which you can solve this question and reading mock test IELTS related to this. Also the tips from the experts that will help you ace this task.
Introduction to the Matching Heading Task
The matching heading is a part of the fourteen questions that comprise the reading section of the IELTS test. In this you need to match the headings give in the question with the paragraphs in the text. Moreover, the heading that you choose must also convey the gist of the main idea that is present in the text. You will get a list of possible headings that you can match with the passage. Further, to solve this you will need to follow the right strategy. Hence, in the next part you will know about the techniques for this task.
Strategies for Attempting Matching Heading
When you go through the IELTS reading matching heading task you will realize that the number of headings is also more than the total paragraphs. However, if you wish to get all the answers correct than you need to be aware of the strategies for solving this. So, here are some ways for you to solve this task:
Starting from the Headings
If you are first starting from the headings than following are the steps and techniques that you can take help of to get to the responses quickly.
Read Headings
First carefully read the headings given to you. Moreover, you need to try to fathom the meaning of the heading so that you are able to match it to the specific text. It can also explain the main theme or be paraphrased.
Identify Keywords
Next, you need to highlight the words from the heading that might be crucial to the text. You can also underline or circle these to be sure of the key terms. These can be also places, dates, names and other details.
Compare and Contrast
This is another one of the ways in which you can match the headings with the specific paragraph. In this, you have to further check the similarity and the differences that the headings share with each other. This enables you to match the specific headings.
Paragraph Sentences
The first and the last sentence of the paragraph can also be a good way to choose the correct heading for it. They can give you an idea of what the paragraph is about and thus help you select a suitable heading.
Starting from the Text
If you are among the test takers who solve the IELTS reading matching heading by going through the passage first, then this is the technique for you.
Read Paragraph
Firstly, you need to read the text and then focus on each paragraph at a time. Also, pay attention to the last and first line of it to know the main theme.
Make Heading
After you skim the text, try to guess the type of heading that will be suitable for it. Also, remember that the heading that you make must cover the gist of the main theme.
Read Headings
Lastly, now read the headings in the question to identify which one will be perfect for the specific paragraph. You can make a note of it and then move on to the next one.
Now, up next are the tips for this task.
Expert Tips for Matching Heading Questions
The following are some of the IELTS reading tips from the experts that you can take to ace this task:
- It’s a good habit to cross out the heading once you’re confident that you have the correct one for the paragraph or have ruled out a choice.
- If you are not sure about the difference between two or more headings, make a note and move on to the next paragraph.
- Skimming is a crucial skill for question types like matching headings which require a lot of time. It also allows you to quickly grasp the main idea and gives you more time.
- Practice with a reading mock test IELTS to become familiar with the task structure.
- Also, remember that the similar words may not be used, so look for synonyms.
- Ensure the headings you chose reflect the main idea of the paragraph, and not the specific details.
Conclusion
To sum up, these are the strategies and tips that you can use to attempt the matching heading questions. In addition to that, if you need any other help with this exam, you can connect with experts at Gradding. It is a coaching center that also provides many different resources to the test takers. These further include IELTS writing practice test, other mock tests and free coaching classes.