IELTS Reading Matching Features: Strategy, Tips, and Sample Exercise

Matching Features is a common question type in the IELTS Reading test. To score well, you need a solid understanding of the question format, effective strategies, and smart techniques for matching information accurately and efficiently.

In a Matching Features question, you are given a list of options (such as names, countries, dates) and a series of statements. Your task is to match each statement to the correct option. Most statements are paraphrased from the passage, so identifying synonyms and related meanings is crucial.

Example format of Matching Features questions:

• Match the statement to a person, researcher, or country

• Each option may be used once, more than once, or not at all

Step 1: Read the questions and identify keywords

Carefully read all the statements first. Underline or circle keywords and think of possible synonyms. This will help you focus on relevant parts of the text more quickly.

Step 2: Search for information in the passage using keywords

Use your identified keywords and their synonyms to scan the passage. Look for matching content even if it is paraphrased.

Step 3: Narrow down relevant sections

Focus on the sections where keywords or names appear. Usually, unique information like names or dates appears fewer times and is easier to locate. Read carefully to ensure the information is relevant.

Step 4: Read the full context and select the correct answer

Make sure to fully understand the paragraph containing the keyword. Match the statement to the most appropriate feature based on both meaning and context. Do not rely on exact word matches—look for paraphrasing.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Reading the entire text in detail. Instead, use skimming and scanning to locate key information quickly.

• Looking for exact words from the statement. IELTS often paraphrases the text—look for synonyms or similar phrases.

• Rushing through the reading and missing important clues. Slow down and verify your answer against the full context.

Tips to improve your performance:

• Underline keywords in both the list and statements.

• Skim for context, scan for specific details.

• Pay attention to paraphrasing in the passage.

• Answers are not in the same order as the statements.

• Always transfer your final answers to the answer sheet correctly.

Pronunciation and Physiognomy

Imagine the scene: you are sitting on the tube anti on guts someone you instinctively feel Is American, To make sure you ask them the time, fend is light, but how did you know?

A. The writer Arthur Hue’s tier remarked that friends of his, whom he met thirty years after they emigrated to the United States, had acquired an “American physiognomy”, i.e. a broadened jaw, an appearance which is also prevalent In the indigenous population. An anthropologist friend of his attributed this to the increased use of the jaw musculature In American enunciation. This “change of countenance” in immigrants had already been observed by the historian M. Fishberg in 1910. To paraphrase the philosopher Emerson, certain national, social and religious groups, such as aging actors, long-term convicts and celibate priests, to give just a few examples, de­velop a distinguishing “look”, which is not easily defined, but readily recognised, Their way of life affects their facial expression and physical features, giving the mistaken impression that these traits are of hereditary or racial” origin. All the factors mentioned above con­tribute, as well as heredity, lint the question of appearance being affected by pronunciation, as in the ease of American immigrants (including those from other English speaking coun­tries) over the course of many years, is of great interest and culls fur further study into the science of voice production. This can only benefit those working in the field of speech ther­apy, elocution and the pronunciation of foreign languages, and help the student from a purely physiological point of view, Naturally, the numerous psychological and socio-linguistic factors that inhibit most adult learners of foreign languages from acquiring a “good” pronunciation constitute a completely different and no less important Issue that requires separate investigation.

B. The pronunciation of the various forms of English around the world today is affected by the voice being “plated” in different parts of the mouth, We use DUI-speech organs in cer­tain ways to produce specific sounds, and these muscles have to practice to learn new pho­nemes, Non-Americans should look In the mirror while repeating “I really never heard of poor reward for valor with full use of the USA retroflex hi phoneme, and note what happens to their jawbones after three or four repetitions. Imagine the effect of these move­ments on the jaw muscles after twenty years! This phoneme is one of the most noticeable features of US English and one that non-A merit and is always exaggerate when mimicking the accent, Likewise, standard British REL is often parodied, and its whine of superiority mocked to the point of turning the end of one’s nose up as much as possible. Not only does this enhance the “performance”, but also begs the question of whether this look is the origin of the expression “stuck up”?

Questions 1-3

Write the appropriate letter in Boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet.

Note that there are more Observations than people, so you will not use all of them.

You can use each observation once only.

Use the information in the text to match the People listed (1-3) with the Observations (i-vii).

People

1. Koestler

2. Fishberg

3. Emerson

Observations

Answers

Explanation

What skills are needed to master Matching Features in IELTS Reading?

You need strong scanning skills, the ability to recognize synonyms, and the ability to understand words based on context.

What types of features are commonly listed?

Names of researchers, scientists, countries, or time periods.

What do the statements typically describe?

They usually summarize research findings, opinions, dates, events, or theoretical ideas.

Final Tips and Resources

We hope this guide helps you understand how to approach Matching Features in IELTS Reading and apply effective strategies for success. Remember that consistent practice is key. The more familiar you are with the question structure and paraphrasing techniques, the better your performance will be.

If you're studying at home, explore IDP's comprehensive IELTS preparation resources. These include Masterclass webinars, practice tests, courses, and expert tips from international IELTS professionals.

When you're ready, register for your IELTS test with IDP today!