Matching headings

Choose the heading that states each paragraph's main idea, not one detail.

You answer with: The heading that fits each paragraph
Answer order: Does not follow the passage

Test instructions

The passage has six paragraphs, A–F.

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

What this task is

A list of headings, shown before the passage. Give each paragraph the heading that states its main idea. There are more headings than paragraphs, and no heading is used twice.

Read for the main idea. Do not choose a heading just because it names one thing in the paragraph.

The traps

The common mistakes in this question type. Learn to spot each one before test day.

The detail dressed as a heading

A wrong heading may name something that is really in the paragraph, but it is not the main idea. One correct detail is not enough.

Only reading the first sentence

Topic sentences help, but a paragraph can start by referring to the previous idea. Judge the paragraph by its main point, not by the first line.

What to do next time

Read the paragraph, look away and summarise it in your own words. Then find the heading nearest your summary. Reading the headings first invites word-matching.
Do the paragraphs you are most sure of first. Every heading you use makes the list shorter for the rest.
Between two headings, choose the one that matches most of the paragraph, not one small detail.

Now practise matching headings questions free in the app. When you get one wrong, the review shows the correct answer and why the wrong choice looked right. Free, no payment needed.