Matching Sentence Endings Tips for IELTS Reading

IELTS reading has 14 different types of questions to be completed in an hour including, reading three passages and forty questions which usually involves three or four different types of the question. Mastering the art in the problems of IELTS Matching sentences will strengthen one's grip on the good score of the band. Few things to keep in mind while answering those types of questions.

1) Questions are in the same order as the information provided in the passage.
2) Underline keywords- synonyms/paraphrased
3) Locate these in the passage and try to figure out most suitable meaning of sentence
4) Start with the question that has names, places and dates in it
5) Do not read all the options/choices, read the first half first

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers

Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

In matching ending sentences questions need to be matched with the list of possible answers from the options. This test is to evaluate the students’ apprehension of meaningful sentences and to get the crux of the idea behind the sentences. With few helpful examples this article will put emphasis on discussing common problems, suggestions and strategy pass Reading portion with flying colors.

Examples-

Question[1]- Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-F, below.

Write the correct letter, A-F in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

1. Nutrients contained in the unused parts of harvested crops
2. Synthetic fertilizers produced with the Haber-Bosch process
3. Addition of a mixture developed by Pius Floris to the soil
4. The idea of zero net soil degradation

In the light of the above sample, it is clear that the number of options will always be more than the number of questions, this sample is exactly the reflection of questions which are put in front of the students to get engaged with. Usually there are five-six incomplete sentences and generally eight-nine possible endings.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Articles

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers

Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Matching Sentence Endings- Frequently asked Questions

There is a mindset amongst most of the students that the Reading portion can be done effortlessly but this is where they underestimate or challenge the examiner. This portion can not be navigated to the other shore only on the basis of general reasoning and on mere logic. Students don’t pay much heed to it to utilize the saved time towards other sections of the exam. This is a common and most silly mistake to underestimate a whole portion. This is sort of an area where the examiner throws its favorite google because without much practice the no options seem wrong and putting an option in the correct basket becomes more challenging. The examiner channelizes his time to frequently use the synonyms and paraphrases to create an illusion of correct answer and unsurprisingly students make the examiner’s effort successful just because they didn’t do justice with their preparation.

Suggestions for Matching Sentence Endings

IELTS Reading is truly hard to learn. There are few cores to get the edge in the Reading portion which are mentioned below;

1. Navigate question one after another- The answers provided are orderly written which means answer to the second question will always be preceded by the correct answer of question 1.
2. Foreseeing- Prediction plays a vital role while scratching your head for the next answer. So, prediction of how the previous answer will end may give you an edge.
3. Act wisely- Beginning with the sentences which are not complete before looking for the endings. As the number of endings are more than required, going through all the endings will kill your precious time.
4. Dates are important­- It's better to pay greater emphasis on the Names, Dates or places mentioned in the question.
5. Meaningful-The question you match with the endings should not only sound correct grammatically but also it should form a meaningful sentence.
6. Defend the first Question- Generally first question in such types of questions are tough as there are several endings and each endings suits perfectly as it is meant to be fit in all the endings. So try to act calmly specially while dealing with the first question.

Strategy for IELTS Matching Sentence Endings

1. Read the question keenly.
2. Avoid your attention to the endings before completely giving a read to the questions. And put efforts in comprehending the main principle behind the question and also to understand the core meaning of the sentence which Examiner is trying to convey.
3. Putting away the most absurd endings, these are generally given to engage students’ time unnecessarily.
4. Sometimes the answer to a question might lie on two-three options (keep in mind this happens 1/100 time i.e., highly uncertain.