IELTS Reading: Matching Headings 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Matching the heading 'A surprising discovery' best fits a paragraph that:
- Describes an unexpected finding (Correct answer)
- Lists dates of events
- Defines a technical term
- Gives the author's biography
Correct answer: Describes an unexpected finding
The heading signals an unexpected result.
Question 2: Why is it risky to match a heading based on one keyword shared with the paragraph?
- Keywords may appear in distractor headings too (Correct answer)
- Keywords are always wrong
- Paragraphs avoid keywords
- Headings never repeat words
Correct answer: Keywords may appear in distractor headings too
Shared single words can be deliberate traps.
Question 3: A paragraph contrasts two viewpoints. The best heading would:
- Reflect the comparison or opposing ideas (Correct answer)
- Name only one viewpoint
- Mention an unrelated topic
- State a date
Correct answer: Reflect the comparison or opposing ideas
The heading should capture the contrast as the main idea.
Question 4: If a paragraph gives a problem and then its solution, the ideal heading:
- Captures both the problem and resolution (Correct answer)
- Names only the problem
- Lists examples only
- Describes the writer's feelings
Correct answer: Captures both the problem and resolution
The heading should reflect the full problem-solution arc.
Question 5: An example heading 'Funding challenges' suits a paragraph mainly about:
- Difficulties securing money (Correct answer)
- Scientific equipment design
- Historical timelines
- Geographic locations
Correct answer: Difficulties securing money
It points to money-related obstacles.
Question 6: Time management in Matching Headings is helped most by:
- Skimming each paragraph quickly for its gist (Correct answer)
- Reading every word twice
- Looking up unknown words
- Reading paragraphs backwards
Correct answer: Skimming each paragraph quickly for its gist
Skimming for the main idea saves time.
Question 7: After matching all paragraphs, what remains true about the heading list?
- One or more headings stay unused (Correct answer)
- Every heading is used once
- Headings are used in order
- All headings repeat
Correct answer: One or more headings stay unused
Distractor headings are left over by design.
IELTS Reading: Matching Headings 3
Matching the heading 'A surprising discovery' best fits a paragraph that: