# IELTS Matching Information: Which Paragraph Contains | topin IELTS guidesMatching information Where IELTS Academic Reading, with passages divided into lettered paragraphs Answers A paragraph letter, such as A, B or C Order Answers are not in passage order Reuse Not every paragraph is used, and when the instructions say so, a letter can be used more than once Marks One mark per question ## How it works Each question describes a piece of information in general terms, for example 'a reference to a limitation of the study'. You find the paragraph that contains it and write that paragraph's letter. Unlike matching headings, you are looking for a specific detail, not the main idea. ## Worked example A The researchers recruited volunteers from three hospitals, all of whom had worked night shifts for at least a year. B Each volunteer wore a wrist monitor for a month. Those who kept the same sleep schedule on their days off reported fewer headaches than those who switched back to sleeping at night. C The authors admit that a month is a short period, and that people who volunteer for sleep studies may already take more care of their health than most. Which paragraph contains the following information? 1\. a limitation of the research 2\. a comparison between two groups of participants Show the answer 1 C, 2 B 1 is C: 'the authors admit that a month is a short period' is a limitation, even though the word 'limitation' never appears. 2 is B, which compares volunteers who kept the same schedule with those who switched back. A describes who took part but compares no groups. ## A method for Matching information 1. 1 ### Name the type of information Underline the category word in each question: example, reason, comparison, description, suggestion, limitation. This tells you what you are scanning for, which matters more than the topic words. 2. 2 ### Do this set after the others Answer the ordered question sets on the passage first. By the time you reach matching information you will already know roughly what each paragraph covers. 3. 3 ### Start with the most specific questions Questions that mention a name, number or distinctive idea are quickest to find. Answer those first, then work on the vaguer ones. 4. 4 ### Check the paragraph actually contains that type A paragraph can be about the right topic but contain no comparison or no example. Confirm that the specific kind of information is really there before you write the letter. ## Traps to avoid * Choosing a paragraph because it is about the right topic, when the specific information (such as a reason or example) is in another paragraph. * Assuming each letter is used once. Some paragraphs are never used, and a letter can be used more than once when the instructions allow it. * Expecting answers in passage order and giving up after a few paragraphs. * Matching surface words: the question paraphrases the paragraph, so 'a limitation' may appear as 'the authors admit'. ## Matching information FAQs Are IELTS matching information answers in order? No. The questions do not follow the order of the paragraphs, which is why it helps to leave this set until you know the passage well. Can I use a paragraph letter more than once? Only when the instructions say you may, usually with a note such as 'NB You may use any letter more than once'. Some paragraphs may not be used at all. What is the difference between matching information and matching headings? Matching headings asks for the main idea of each paragraph. Matching information asks where one specific detail appears, which may be a single sentence. ## Try Matching information under real timing Your first full-length IELTS mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/ielts/login)