IELTS Reading Matching Headings – Important Tips and Strategies with Solved Sample – My IELTS Tutor

The very challenging question type for the IELTS Reading section of the exam is Matching Headings. As you proceed, you will see me revealing a few important tips and strategies to easily solve Match the Headings of IELTS reading.

IELTS Reading Matching Headings Tricks, Tips, and Strategies

Firstly, before we dig into tips and tricks, the following is the Reading Match the Headings question type format.

Such questions usually occur in section 3 of the IELTS Reading. The format follows a list of headings along with paragraphs to match.

Learn as we solve;
Here the paragraph is about “Efforts to save a special bird – the spoon-billed sandpiper.”

“Last year, an international team of ornithologists devised a bold plan to rescue one of the world’s rarest birds. Gerrit Vyn reports.”

The most fundamental tip to solve Match the headings is paraphrasing the passage first and then looking out for the most appropriate heading as the answer. Rephrasing is essential because, generally, the exact words as paragraphs are not used in the headings.

Secondly, one can most commonly find the answer to the headings of body paragraphs of the passage in the first & second sentence itself. The introductory paragraph & conclusion has tricks to follow, which are discussed at the article’s end.

Have a look at body paragraphs & solve:

In this paragraph, in the first sentence, the writer talks about fully documenting a special bird that has never been possible in years. As I mentioned, generally, the answer to body paragraphs is in the first & second sentences.

Let us look at other sentences; an air of mystery is not helpful…. Decided to produce photographic & audio records. Rephrase – ‘Birds Russia’ planned on preparing a documentary of the bird and how to do that is mentioned in the stages to proceed in the further sentences.

Now get back to headings, iv – The main stages of a plan fully satisfies our paragraph & are the correct answer.

Here, in this paragraph C, in the first sentence, it is mentioned why (reason) birds travel such great (long) distances. Option heading two is the Reason for continuing to make the long journey is the correct answer.

Solve Paragraphs D & E on your own. The answer to these questions is given below the paragraphs.

Paragraph D – vi Increasing Threats
Paragraph E – iii A disappointment followed by desirable outcomes

To solve the reading passage with Matching Headings types easily, quickly, as well as correctly the first step is to solve body paragraphs. This step not only helps to answer the four basic questions accurately but also helps to eliminate options for the toughest question types.

The trick to solving the most challenging part of the reading passage, the headings to match for introductory & conclusion is playing with the options. For example,

headings ii, iii, iv, & vi are already marked as answers meaning we are only left with i, v, vii, & viii.

If you begin answering from the first passage itself, it becomes confusing. Solve it in this unique way & surprisingly, you will have all the correct answers in hand.

Introduction Paragraph :

In this paragraph, there is no description of the general public or their recognition or growth in the number of birds; Cautious Optimism means someone has a feeling of confidence knowing the difficulties.

vii A very unusual feature of these birds

Conclusion :

If we look at the concluded passage, the rescue plan is available to save birds from being extinct despite the difficulties mentioned. So the answer is, viii – Cautious Optimism.

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