Among several different question types such as notes or summary completion, multiple-choice, etc. in the IELTS Listening section, matching tasks are the most common. That is why you should always be prepared to get one in your test, i.e. you have to learn and practice the strategy of answering this type of question. Many students and candidates struggle to answer such questions because they do not understand what to do in the task and how to approach it. Read further, and you will find out how to do matching tasks in a few easy steps.
Understanding the task
Most often you may come across this type of question in parts 1 or 3 of the Listening section, which means that you will be listening to the conversation between two or more people.
Let us have a look at the following example:
Here you can see a numbered list of items from the listening text and a set of options (A, B, C). While listening, you have to match these pieces of information together. There will always be a list with numbers — these are questions, and a list with letters — these are options to choose from. The list of options can sometimes be shorter as in the example above. What does this mean? Yes, you can use one option for more than one question.
This task type checks if you can understand the details and notice the relationships and connections between different facts in the listening passage. It also checks if you can follow a conversation with a few speakers.
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Useful tips
Here are a few tips that will help you to answer the matching questions easily.
Remember that the list with numbers follows the order of the listening passage. This means you will hear the information about each question one by one. This will help you not to get lost in the recording. If you cannot work out an answer, be ready for the next question.
What you read in questions and what you hear will come in different words. This means that everything is paraphrased, and you will have to look for synonyms. Listen for the same meaning, not only the same words.
Remember about distractors. They are here to confuse you and to check if you really understand the details of the conversation. The speakers might mention several options. However, only one of them is the answer to the question.
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How to answer the questions
Now when you are aware of what is required to be done to complete the task, we will look at some strategies for successfully answering any matching question. Follow these easy steps in order to complete the task.
Step 1. Read the instructions carefully.
This step will help you understand what exactly you need to do and how many options you can use. So, what you have to do is to check if there are any extra options. Besides, you may be allowed to choose any letter more than once. This is usually mentioned in the instructions.
Step 2. Look at the lists of questions and options to make predictions.
If you read the two lists carefully, you will likely guess what the recording is about and what you might hear in it.
In the case of our sample task, the names of the courses will probably be the same in the recording and in the task. What will be different are the options. They will definitely be paraphrased. This means you have to predict what words Jack might tell his tutor about these courses. What are the other ways to say ‘I’ll definitely do it’, for example? Jack might say, ‘I’m sure this course is perfect for me’, ‘I’ll go for this course’, ‘That’s a definite for me’, etc.
Try to paraphrase each option before you listen. By doing so you will prepare yourself for the listening.
Step 3. Listen and match information.
As you will hear the recording once, it is important to remember that the answers are usually paraphrased and come in order. Choose one answer to each question. For example:
| You will see: | You will hear: |
| What does Jack tell his tutor about each of the following course options?
A He’ll definitely do it. B He may or may not do it. C He won’t do it. Write the correct letter, A, B or C next to questions 1 — 5. You may choose any letter more than once. 1 Media Studies – C 2 Women and Power 3 Culture and Society 4 Identity and Popular Culture 5 Introduction to Cultural Theory |
Dr Ray: So for example the Media Studies Option will cover quite a lot of the same area you did in the core module on mass communications this semester — the development of the media through the last two centuries, in relation to political and social issues.
Jack: Mmm. Well that was interesting, but I’ve decided I’d rather do something completely new. There’s a Women’s Studies option, isn’t there? |
Step 4. Check that you have answered all the questions.
If you have not answered all the questions, the guesswork will help. You should not leave any blank answers if you want to get a better score for the listening section.
Go to our course to learn and practise strategies for all the parts of the IELTS Academic exam. Not only you will learn and practise, but save all the tips and tools in your personal Knowledge Bank, get 24/7 support and instant feedback from our IELTS experts. Depending on how much time you have, we provide you with a study-plan to help you make the most of your IELTS preparation. The more you practise, the more confidence you have on the day of the exam.
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