What matching is: In a matching task (abbinamento) 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 distractor that matches nothing — to catch you out.
- abbinare
- to match / pair up
- l'abbinamento
- the matching (task)
- il titolo
- the headline / heading
- il paragrafo
- the paragraph
- l'opinione
- the opinion / view
- l'opzione in più
- the extra (spare) option that matches nothing
There's usually one extra: Matching tasks normally give you one more option than you need. One item will be left over — so if everything seems to fit 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.
| Formato | Che cosa abbini |
|---|---|
| persone ↔ opinioni | ogni persona con ciò che dice o pensa |
| titoli ↔ paragrafi | ogni titolo con il paragrafo che riassume |
| metà di frase | l'inizio di una frase con la sua fine corretta |
| domande ↔ risposte | ogni domanda con la risposta che le corrisponde |
| Quante opzioni? | una in più di quante ne servano — ne avanza una |
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 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 (tap Mostra traduzione if you get stuck), then we'll match one question together.
Tre ragazzi e il loro tempo libero: Tre ragazzi parlano di come passano il loro tempo libero.
Anna: «A me piace tantissimo lo sport. Mi alleno con la squadra di pallavolo tre pomeriggi a settimana e nel fine settimana giochiamo le partite. Per me, l'importante è stare in forma e con le mie amiche.»
Luca: «Io preferisco stare a casa. Suono la chitarra e compongo le mie canzoni. Non mi piace molto la folla; sto meglio quando c'è tranquillità.»
Marta: «Quello che mi piace di più è viaggiare. Ogni estate visito un paese nuovo con la mia famiglia e imparo qualche parola della loro lingua. Così conosco altre culture senza spendere molti soldi.»
- il tempo libero
- free time
- allenarsi
- to train / practise
- comporre canzoni
- to write / compose songs
- la folla
- the crowd
- conoscere altre culture
- to get to know other cultures
Matching a person to a statement
Un abbinamento, passo dopo passo
- Read the question — «Chi dice che impara cose di altri paesi senza spendere molto?»
- Locate the person. Scan for «viaggiare» / «culture» / «soldi»: Marta dice «conosco altre culture senza spendere molti soldi».
- Match — La risposta è Marta. (Anna parla di sport; Luca, di chitarra e tranquillità — non c'entrano.)
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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Where matching marks are lost: Matching marks are lost when you match on a single shared word rather than the meaning, when you reuse an option, or when you leave a blank. Compare the two columns.
Buone pratiche (do)
- Match on the meaning of the whole statement, not one shared word.
- Do the sure matches first, then eliminate for the rest.
- Use each option exactly once.
- Match every item; leave the spare distractor as the one left over.
Errori tipici (don't)
- Match because two items share a single word, ignoring the meaning.
- Reuse an option for two different items.
- Leave a question blank instead of matching by elimination.
- Forget there is a spare and try to use every option.
Don't be fooled by a shared word: A distractor often repeats a word from the question while meaning something different. Always check the whole statement says what the question claims — a shared word is not a match.