3.4Question type: matching information to a text
- 1 reading text
- 6 marked questions
- 5 min timed
This is the typical Section 1 question. You are given several short texts labelled A, B, C and D, and a list of statements. You decide which text each statement belongs to.
How students lose marks here
They read all four texts from beginning to end before looking at the questions, and use half their time. These texts are not for reading, they are for searching. You are not reading a newspaper, you are looking up a number in a directory.
The method
- Read the question first, never the text. Find the key idea in it, usually a noun or a verb that is hard to replace.
- Think of the paraphrase before you search. If the question says lends equipment, look for available to borrow or provided.
- Sweep the texts vertically and quickly, looking for the idea, not the word.
- Read the whole sentence before you write a letter down. Most errors come from spotting a similar word and stopping there.
- Mark in the text where you found each answer, so that checking later takes seconds.
Watch the instructions
In this type the same letter can usually be the answer to more than one question. The instruction says: You may use any letter more than once. Do not reject a letter just because you have already used it.
Practice 3
ABeginner Photography
Every Tuesday, 6.00pm to 8.00pm, for six weeks. Bring your own camera; phone cameras are welcome. No previous experience is required. Fee: AED 300, payable on the first evening.
BConversational English
A ten-week course for adults who can already read English but feel nervous when speaking. Sundays and Wednesdays, 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Places are limited to twelve people. Fee: AED 550, which must be paid in full before the course begins.
CCar Maintenance Basics
Four Saturday morning sessions, 9.00am to 12.00pm, in the centre workshop. Participants must wear closed shoes for safety reasons. Fee: AED 200.
DCreative Writing
An eight-week evening course on Mondays, 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Suitable for anyone who enjoys reading. Members of the centre pay AED 250; non-members pay AED 400. Laptops are available to borrow during class.
Two questions, worked through
Worked through
Which course lends equipment to participants?
- Step 1: The key idea is lends equipment. Step 2: Before searching, think of paraphrases: you can borrow, available to use, provided. Step 3: Sweep the texts. Text A says bring your own camera, which is the opposite idea, so rule it out. Text D says laptops are available to borrow. Step 4: Check the full sentence. Is a laptop equipment? Yes. Is it lent? Yes, during class.
Answer D
Worked through
Which course has a rule about clothing?
- Step 1: Two key words here, not one: clothing and rule. Step 2: Paraphrases for clothing: wear, shoes, uniform, dress. Paraphrases for rule: must, required, should not. Step 3: Text C says participants must wear closed shoes. The word must confirms it is a rule and not a suggestion. Note: the word clothing never appears in the text at all. Shoes are clothing. You match the meaning, never the word.
Answer C
Now do these
Practice 3
Matching6 questionsWrite the correct letter, A, B, C or D. You may use any letter more than once. You have five minutes.
5 minutes remaining of 5 minutes.
Choose from
- A
- B
- C
- D
Which course must be paid for in full before it starts?
Which course states that no previous experience is required?
Which course has a different fee for members of the centre?
Which course limits the number of people who can join?
Which course takes place during the day rather than the evening?
Which course can be paid for on the day it begins?