What matching is: In a matching task you link two sets together: each person to what they say, or each heading to its paragraph, or the two halves of a sentence.
Each option is used once, and there is often one extra option that matches nothing — a distractor put there to catch you out.
The exam instruction you'll see: In the real English Paper 2 exam, this question type is introduced by an instruction like:
“Choose an appropriate heading from the list that completes each gap in the text.”
What you have to do: Match each paragraph/section to the heading or question that captures its MAIN idea (not just one word it shares). Each option is used once and there are extra ones you will not need.
- to match / to pair up
- to link each item in one set with its partner in another set
- a pair
- two items that go together
- a heading / headline
- a short title at the top of a paragraph or article
- a paragraph
- a block of sentences about one idea
- an opinion / a view
- what a person thinks or feels about something
- a distractor
- a wrong option included on purpose to tempt you
- the spare / extra option
- the leftover option that matches nothing and stays unused
There's usually one extra: Matching tasks normally give you one more option than you need. One item is meant to be left over — so if everything seems to fit too easily, double-check: one of your matches is probably wrong.
Common matching formats: Matching comes in a few standard shapes. Whatever the format, the rule is the same: each option is used once, and there's usually one extra to catch you. Match on meaning, not on a single shared word.
| Format | What you match |
|---|---|
| people ↔ opinions | each person to what they say or think |
| headings ↔ paragraphs | each heading to the paragraph it sums up |
| sentence halves | the start of a sentence to its correct ending |
| questions ↔ answers | each question to the answer that fits it |
| How many options? | one more than you need — one is spare |
Each option, once only: Every option is used exactly once. If you've used one twice, one of those matches is wrong — and remember the spare option is meant to be left over.
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A reliable matching routine: Don't match top-to-bottom in order. Read both lists, lock in the matches you're sure of, then use elimination for the rest. Finish by checking nothing is used twice and the spare is left over.
Win at matching — 5 steps
1
Read both lists
Read both sets fully before you match anything, so you know all the options.
2
Sure ones first
Do the matches you are certain of first — they remove options from play.
3
Eliminate
For the rest, cross off options already used; the choice gets smaller each time.
4
Match the rest
Match every remaining item — leave no question blank, even if you're unsure.
5
Check
Confirm no option is used twice and the spare distractor is the one left over.
Read both → Sure ones first → Eliminate → Match rest → Check
Anchor on the sure matches: Start with the matches you're confident about. Each one you lock in removes an option, making the doubtful ones easier — that's why you don't go in order.
A matching task in action: Here are three short statements — the kind Paper 2 (Reading) matches a person to. The text stays in front of you, so you find who says what. Read all three, then we'll match one question together.
Three teenagers and their free time: Three teenagers talk about how they spend their free time.
Ana: "I love sport. I train with the basketball team three afternoons a week, and at the weekend we play matches. For me, what matters is staying fit and being with my friends."
Liam: "I'd rather stay at home. I play the guitar and write my own songs. I don't really like crowds; I feel much more comfortable when everything is quiet."
Marta: "What I enjoy most is travelling. Every summer I visit a new country with my family and I learn a few words of the language. That way I get to know other cultures without spending much money."
- free time
- the time when you are not studying or working
- to train
- to practise a sport regularly to improve
- to write / compose songs
- to create your own music and lyrics
- crowds
- large groups of people in one place
- to get to know other cultures
- to learn about how people in other places live
Matching a person to a statement
One match, step by step
- Read the question — "Who says they learn about other countries without spending much money?"
- Locate the person. Scan for "travelling" / "cultures" / "money": Marta says "I get to know other cultures without spending much money."
- Match — the answer is Marta. (Ana talks about sport; Liam talks about the guitar and quiet — they don't fit, so you match on the meaning of the whole statement, not one word.)
Match the whole meaning: Match on the meaning of the whole statement, not a single word it shares with the question. A distractor person may use one of the same words while saying something different.
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The GOLDEN RULE — copy the exact words: Most Paper 2 Reading answers must be copied straight from the text. When a question says "Answer using the words as they appear in the text", paraphrasing scores ZERO — find the exact word or phrase and copy it.
So your job is usually: locate the line, copy the right part. You almost never write in your own words.
Do this — score the mark
- Copy the exact word/phrase from the text.
- Keep the answer complete — include the whole correct phrase.
- For True/False, write the tick AND a justification quoted word-for-word.
- In multiple choice, put exactly ONE answer in the box.
Don't do this — lose the mark
- Paraphrase or reword when the text wants the exact words.
- Add extra, irrelevant words — wrong extra info loses the mark.
- Write True/False with no justification (the tick alone scores 0).
- Put two answers in one box "to be safe".
| Question type | What it asks you to do |
|---|---|
| Find the exact words | Copy the precise word/phrase straight from the text. |
| Gap-fill from a word list | Choose the right word from a given list to fill each gap. |
| Multiple choice | Tick the ONE correct option in the box. |
| True/False + justify | Tick T or F AND quote a line that proves it. |
| Find the word/phrase that means… | Find the text word with that meaning and copy it. |
| Heading-match | Match each heading to the paragraph it sums up. |
Three quick reminders: 1. Keep it complete but add no extra words.
2. True/False needs the tick AND a quoted justification for the 1 mark.
3. A small spelling slip is OK if the meaning is still clear — but copying the exact word avoids the risk.
One box, one answer: In multiple choice, write exactly one answer in each box. Two answers in one box scores zero, even if one of them is right.