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1.1 Here are the main points to know about Paragraph Heading matching:

1.1.1.1 What is the purpose of Paragraph Matching

1.1.1.1.1 After the £51m find, the nation will be ransacking their houses for would-be treasures.

1.1.1.1.1.1 After the £51m find, the nation will be ransacking their houses for would-be treasures.

1.1.2 Like this:

Paragraph Matching in Reading

Here are the main points to know about Paragraph Heading matching:

This task can be difficult and time-consuming if you do not have a strategy.

There are always more headings than you need.

There is always an example given with a heading correctly matched to a paragraph

Task approach

Study the example answer carefully to help you see if you need to look for the main idea in each section or scan for specific details.

Read through the list of headings and underline key words that either identify the main idea or target words that you will be scanning for in the passage.

Skim through the passage to get an overall idea of the content and organization. Underline key words and note the purpose of the paragraph. If at this point any heading stands out that matches a paragraph, note it to the side.

Skim the shortest paragraph first, choosing the heading and reducing the number of choices you have to pick from for other paragraphs.

Go to the first paragraph, skim through and again judge if anything stands out. Look at your headings – noting the key words underlined and choose the best one. Take notes and write your possible answer down. You will need to come back and check.

Continue with the same process through the rest of the paragraphs. Use the notes you have made adjacent to the paragraphs to help you choose headings but bear in mind that key words might not match exactly between the headings and paragraphs – they will most likely be synonyms or similar expressions.

If a paragraph contains the key word of a heading, that does not mean that is the correct heading.

You still need to read carefully around the key words in the paragraph and check it has the same main idea as the heading. If you are unsure, make a note to the side and return later after you are sure about the other headings.

Keep track of your notes and answers. Students sometimes carelessly write down the wrong Roman numeral on the answer sheet. Familiarize yourself with the Roman numeral system so you do not accidentally use the same heading twice.

Keep track of your time. You should allow 20 minutes maximum per reading passage as there are 3 of readings to complete within 60 minutes.

If you find that you are spending too much time on this task, move to the other questions as you can always return at the end if you have time.

Additionally, you may have a better understanding of the passage.

What is the purpose of Paragraph Matching

Paragraph matching tests your skimming skills, reading speed and ability to identify the main ideas of a text. I always recommend that you read news articles, magazines and blog articles and try to identify what the main ideas are. even better is to discuss the article with a speaking partner if possible.

Try this paragraph matching exercise.

There are eight paragraphs and eight headings in bold below. The first heading has been done for you.

After the £51m find, the nation will be ransacking their houses for would-be treasures.

Checking every room

Before you dust off that vase, a little advice… The news of the elderly lady who was clearing out her late brother’s house in Pinner, north London, and discovered the vase gathering dust on top of the bookshelves, a vase which started life in China’s Imperial Palace in the 18th century, has just tapped into the dreams of millions. All over Britain this weekend people will be climbing into their attics.

Paragraph 2

It never ceases to amaze me how records keep breaking in the art world and this doesn’t just apply to antiques such as the 16in Qianlong vase that realised £51m last week. What about Andy Warhol’s 1962 painting of a Coca-Cola bottle. This recently made more than $22m in New York. If I could afford it, I’d rather have a painting by Turner, but that could set me back £63m.

Paragraph 3

Whenever The Antiques Roadshow arrives in a town, everybody rushes round their houses, cellars and attics. I shall never forget the Chinese bowl which the owners had used for their dog’s water and which turned out to be worth thousands of pounds. Then there was the couple who never intended to go to the Roadshow, but the dog needed a walk and, because it was raining, they went to get an umbrella from the stand where they had left a rolled-up picture they didn’t like. It turned out to be by the famous and mad painter Richard Dadd . It was apparently sold for £90,000 and is now in the British Museum.

Paragraph 4

One word of warning – never leave an unlimited bid for a lot, however much you want it. When I was in charge of the teddy bear auctions at Sotheby’s, two separate agents asked my advice on what price I thought a particular bear should reach. I told both of them that it shouldn’t make more than a hammer price of £3,000.

Paragraph 5

Both had been instructed to buy it and when the telephone bidder dropped out at £58,000, the agent in the saleroom achieved success at £60,000. The telephone bidder had to tell her boss at what figure she had dropped out and the boss replied: “Phew – thank goodness – I was going to give the bear to my three-year old son for Christmas!”

Paragraph 6

Before every Roadshow, I’m not alone in having nightmares that I get a valuation wrong. Apparently, the brother of the elderly lady who sold the £51m vase had taken it to Going for a Song, the forerunner of The Antiques Roadshow, some 40 years ago and the specialist had pronounced it “a very clever reproduction”. I should love to know who valued this vase at £800 only three months ago.

Paragraph 7

So, remember the people who slaked their dog’s thirst using a Chinese bowl, and don’t just look in your attic. The next discovery could be in front of your eyes, something you use every day or don’t rate highly. I never tire of seeing what will be brought in for us to value. It’s like Christmas. Out of that brown paper bag could be a wonderful surprise.

Paragraph 8

I hope the auctioneer had smelling salts ready when he brought down the hammer – the seller had to be taken outside after her expression changed from a smile to amazement to complete shock and she could hardly breathe.

What, I wonder, will be the next world auction record? It could be you needing the smelling salts

Adapted from The Guardian November 2014

Match the headings to paragraphs 1-8.

i) Dreams become reality

ii) Set your limit

iii) Undervalued

iv) Record breakers

v) Checking every room

vi) A narrow escape

vii) Reaction to the sale

viii) Not so ordinary

ix) Experts’ mistakes