IELTS reading matching nouns with the information.
One of the most important question types that you can see in the IELTS reading test is matching nouns with the information. This is a typical matching type of question and if you know certain tips and strategies, it is very easy to answer these questions and get all the answers correct. This article is going to help you,
1. To identify this question type.
2. in explaining how to manage the time for solving this question type.
3. Putting forth the common problems encountered by candidates and how they can tackle these issues.
How many types of questions are there in the IELTS reading test?
There are various types of questions which are listed below.
1. IELTS reading – matching nouns with the information
5. Multiple choice questions in which one option needs to be selected
6. Multiple choice questions where two options have to be selected
10. Diagram labeling
12. Table completion
14. Yes / no / not given
15. Short answer questions
When matching the nouns with the information, the candidates have to be very specific, because sometimes, there is an instruction called NB in this question type, and this means that the same noun can be repeated twice.
Now, let us understand what are the common problems faced by the test takers while matching the nouns to information and how we can tackle these problems.
1. Not understanding the question
Generally, matching questions in the IELTS reading test are usually not given in a sequence. This means that any noun can match to any question. If the candidates who are taking the test are not aware of this fact, they may think that the nouns will follow the same order as given in the question type. This will not only lead to confusion but will also take a lot of time in the main test.
To solve this problem, you need to identify type immediately as and when you spot it in the test. Nouns are usually given in the form of names years, dates, etc. These are words that will not change. They will not be given as their synonyms. You will find that the same word will repeat itself in the passage. We need to take advantage of this fact while matching these nouns to the information given in the question.
2. Not reading the instructions properly
This is the most common problem why the candidates lose their marks. The word instructions clearly will indicate what the candidate has to do and how it should be done. If these instructions are not followed properly, then there would confusion while writing the answer and finding it in the comprehension passage.
So, first, you need to allocate at least 30 seconds of time to read what the instructions say. The answers to this question type usually have to be written in the form of alphabets only. There are some instances where a candidate will not read this part of the instructions and write the answer in the form of the noun given and not as the alphabet which indicates the noun. This is definitely an error, and marks will not be given for such mistakes.
3. Not following a proper strategy
Remember that the IELTS reading test is all about following a proper strategy to answer the question. If you are not sure of what strategy will lead you to the right answer, automatically you will not be able to apply it in the real test.
For matching the nouns to the information, you can follow this method.
a. Read all the nouns carefully along with the instructions.
b. You may then read the questions or directly skim the text.
c. Go to the text directly and circle all the nouns that you have seen. This gives you a clear idea of where you can find the answer to a particular question.
d. Come back to the questions, read each question carefully and mark the keywords. Keywords are nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc. Remember that marking the words properly carries a lot of importance in getting the answers.
e. Now, read text related to the noun and confirm the answer. If the instructions say NB, then you will have to ensure that at least one of the alphabet repeats twice.
4. Confirming the answer by just matching the keywords
Keywords are definitely a very important part of the test, however, by just marking the words, you should not get confused. Never try to find the words and match them. Underline the keywords just to get an idea of where to find the related text. Confirm the answer only after you read the paragraph and the related text completely so that you get the meaning of what it has to say.
Another element to consider here is that words like verbs, adjectives may be given in the form of their synonyms. If you waste time trying to find the exact word from what is given in the question, you may not actually find it. This can be very problematic. So, base your answer mostly on the nouns and by reading the context.
5. Lack of proper time management
Finally, there are some candidates who waste a lot of time on this particular question time. This is called improper time management. This is not at all recommended. Remember that you have just one hour of time in the IELTS reading test to answer the questions and transfer all these answers on to the IELTS reading answer sheet. No extra time will be given for transferring the answers unlike in the listening test.
Hence, practice as much as possible before you attempt the main test. Ideally, you should collect as many comprehension passages as possible from the Cambridge past papers that contain this question right matching the nouns with information and practice it so that you attain confidence and perfection.
