Lesson 11 – matching exercises
Today we are going to look at the matching exercise in reading
Key words feature again!
Let’s begin with some tips and advice
These exercises are quite straightforward – especially if key words include names
- There are usually more choices than you need so you’ll have to check quickly
- There are many kinds of matching exercise. Some involve matching sentences directly to the text others give two lists to match. The process is the same and they all require some reference to the text.
- Pick out key words which will direct you to the text and then match the question and text location closely.
- If you are matching information to a name or place in the text then make sure you match the non-information words (especially adverbs and adjectives – is this really what this person said or wrote?)
- Look for synonyms, the exact words used in the question and text may be different.
- If any examples are given study these carefully as they will help you.
- Make sure you check to see if sentences can be used more than once.
- Decide if the match is detail or something more general like a whole paragraph.
- Read all the choices first before you tackle them one by one – you may be able to answer some already or there may be more than one match for a particular place/name/number etc.. so you can do them at the same time
- Anything that can maximise the time and help you work faster is helpful, so knowing EXACTLY what you are looking for will help you to find the information much faster.
Key skills to develop:
This could be one exercise where you can increase your speed:
- Get really good at identifying key words this is important for reading, listening and writing.
- Get good at scanning the text for words and phrases. The more you do this, the more the words just seem to pop out!
- Make sure you underline key words with your pencil (you should do this for ALL questions)
- Use your instinct, if you know the answer then choose this and scan the text to test it out
- Try to get an idea of the geography of the text – this way you will ‘know’ where things are and this cuts down on the time
- If you can’t find a match then leave it and move on the chances are you will see it when you are looking for another one
- Circle the names, numbers etc.. that will be matched in the passage it will save you time especially if one name has more than one match
- Make sure that the answers don’t contradict each other – use a little common sense too!
Here’s more advice from IELTS Simon’s blog:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/12/ielts-reading-match-the-names.html
Things to do for matching:
Learn to scan well
- practise scanning with any text – scan quickly and see what you find – can you get an idea of the content from this?
- look at matching exercises in your IELTS books or online – how quickly can you complete these?
- try some of the matching exercises on gapfillers how quickly can you make the matches? How accurately? Here is one to try
Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us
Let’s have a go at a matching exercise
Here are two exercises for you.
The first are general English exercises on matching vocabulary – you may have done these earlier this week but it doesn’t hurt to try again – test your speed on them:
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=3399
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=3398
Try this matching exercise to create a short text
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/?atk=1161
Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us
Now you’re done!