IELTS Reading Matching Features: How to Match Descriptions

Quick Answer: Matching Features questions test your ability to link descriptions (e.g., opinions, dates, names) to a list of options. You must scan the text for specific information and match it correctly. Key strategies include identifying keywords, paraphrasing, and reading the options before the text. Practice with timed exercises to improve speed and accuracy.

Table of Contents

Understanding Matching Features Questions

Step-by-Step Strategy

Common Question Variations

Band Score Comparison Table

Understanding Matching Features Questions

Matching Features is one of the most common question types in the IELTS Reading test. You are given a list of statements or descriptions (usually numbered) and a list of options (usually letters A, B, C, etc.). Your task is to match each statement to the correct option based on the information in the reading passage.

Example format:

Passage about three scientists (Smith, Jones, Lee)

Statements: "This scientist discovered the cure for X." "This scientist worked in the 19th century."

Options: A. Smith, B. Jones, C. Lee

You must decide which scientist matches each statement. The options can be names, dates, theories, countries, or any category that appears in the text.

Why this question type is challenging:

The statements are often paraphrased, so you cannot rely on exact word matches.

Options may be used more than once, or not at all.

The text may contain similar information that is easy to confuse.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Follow this 5-step approach to tackle Matching Features questions efficiently.

Step 1: Read the instructions carefully

Check if options can be used more than once. Usually, they can. Also note if there are extra options (distractors) that will not match any statement.

Step 2: Skim the list of statements

Read all the numbered statements quickly to understand the type of information you need to find. Underline key words (nouns, verbs, numbers, proper nouns). This helps you focus during scanning.

Step 3: Scan the text for the options

Identify where each option (e.g., a person's name) appears in the passage. Mark them with the option letter. This creates a map of where to look.

Step 4: Match each statement to an option

Go back to the first statement. Scan the marked sections for the option that best matches the description. Use paraphrasing – the text may use synonyms or rephrase the idea.

Step 5: Check and eliminate

After matching all statements, review any remaining options. Ensure you haven't used an option for two statements if the instructions say "use each option only once". If allowed multiple uses, double-check that each match is correct. Time-saving tip: Start with the statements that contain unique, easy-to-find keywords (e.g., dates, capitalised words). Save vague statements for last.

Common Question Variations

Matching Features questions come in several forms:

Variation	Example
Matching names to descriptions	Match each researcher (A–D) to their finding (1–4).
Matching dates to events	Match each year (A–F) to the event (1–5).
Matching categories to statements	Match each country (A–C) to the characteristic (1–4).
Matching theories to proponents	Match each theory (1–3) to the scientist (A–D) who proposed it.
Matching paragraphs to information	Match each statement (1–4) to the paragraph (A–F) it appears in.

The strategy remains the same: identify keywords in statements, locate options in the text, and use paraphrasing to match.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Can match some features when keywords are obvious, but may miss paraphrases or confuse similar options. Answers often have 50–60% accuracy.
7	Can match most features, including those with moderate paraphrasing. Uses scanning effectively but may run out of time. Accuracy around 70–80%.
8	Matches features quickly and accurately, even with complex paraphrasing. Manages time well and rarely makes careless errors. Accuracy 85–90%.
9	Matches all features effortlessly, understands subtle differences between options, and handles any distractors. Accuracy 95–100%.

Sample Answers

Band 7: Passage excerpt: "Dr. Emily Chen, a biologist at the University of Tokyo, first observed the migration pattern in 2015. Meanwhile, Professor Alan Brown from Cambridge argued that climate change was the primary cause." Statement: "This person believed climate change caused the migration." Answer: B (Professor Alan Brown) – matched correctly because "believed" paraphrases "argued". However, the student might have misread "first observed" as the cause. Accuracy: 7/10. Band 8: Statement: "This individual's research was focused on the movement of animals." Answer: A (Dr. Emily Chen) – because "migration pattern" equals "movement of animals". The student quickly scanned for "migration" and matched without hesitation. Accuracy: 9/10. Band 9: Statement: "This scientist's work was published after 2010." Answer: A (Dr. Emily Chen) – because "2015" is after 2010. Also noticed that Professor Brown's work is not dated, so only A fits. No confusion. Accuracy: 10/10.

Common Mistakes

❌Matching based on one keyword only – e.g., matching "climate" in the statement to "climate change" in the text without checking if the person actually said it. Always read the full sentence around the keyword.

❌Ignoring paraphrasing – if the statement says "disagreed with" but the text says "criticised", you must recognise the synonym. Train yourself to spot synonyms and rephrased ideas.

❌Not reading the instructions about multiple use – if options can be used more than once, you might waste time trying to use each only once. Check before you start.

Top Tips

Tip 1: Before reading the passage, underline all options (names, dates, etc.) in the text. This creates a quick reference map.

Tip 2: For each statement, write the option letter next to it as soon as you find a match. This prevents confusion later.

Tip 3: If you're unsure between two options, move on and come back. Often later statements will help eliminate the wrong one.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their matching features exercises come with answer keys and explanations.

FAQ

Q: Can options be used more than once? A: Yes, often they can. Always read the instructions carefully. It will say "You may use any option more than once" or "Use each option only once." Q: What if I can't find the answer in the text? A: It means you've missed a paraphrase. Scan again, focusing on synonyms of the key words in the statement. If still stuck, guess and move on – don't waste time. Q: How many matching features questions are there in the test? A: Usually 5–8 questions per passage, but it varies. They appear in all three sections. Q: Should I read the whole passage first? A: No. For matching features, it's more efficient to skim the passage for the options first, then match statements. Reading everything first wastes time. Q: What if two options seem to match the same statement? A: One is a distractor. Look for subtle differences. For example, "discovered" vs "applied" – only one fits the exact description.

Key Takeaways

✅Matching Features requires scanning and paraphrasing skills.

✅Always read the instructions – know if options can be reused.

✅Underline options in the text before matching statements.

✅Use keywords but check the full context to avoid errors.

✅Practice with timed exercises to improve speed and accuracy.

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