A five-step method
- Read the headings list once and notice pairs that look similar, because those pairs are where the traps are.
- Read one paragraph at a time. Focus on the first two sentences and the last sentence, then skim the middle to check that it develops the same idea.
- Summarise the paragraph in five words or fewer before you look at the headings again.
- Match your summary to a heading. If two headings seem possible, choose the one that covers the whole paragraph, not just one sentence.
- Do the clear paragraphs first. Each heading you use shortens the list for the difficult ones.
Worked example with an original passage
A When the town of Halden opened its first repair café, volunteers expected a few broken lamps and torn jackets. Within a month, residents were queuing with radios, bicycles and laptops. The organisers soon realised that the demand was not only for repairs but for a place where people could learn how their belongings worked.
B The café runs entirely on donated time. Retired electricians, tailors and engineers staff the tables, and a local hardware shop provides spare parts at cost. No one is paid, and visitors are asked only to stay and watch while their item is fixed.
C Not every visit ends in success. Some modern devices are sealed with glue or need parts that manufacturers do not sell to the public. In these cases, volunteers explain why the item cannot be repaired, and many visitors leave better informed about what to look for when they buy a replacement.
D Supporters argue that the café's greatest benefit is social. Neighbours who had never spoken now meet every Saturday, and several volunteers say that teaching a skill matters more to them than the repairs themselves.
List of headings
- The obstacles that prevent some repairs
- An unexpected level of interest
- How the café could earn more money
- A volunteer-based way of operating
- Repairs that take longer than expected
- Benefits that go beyond fixing objects
- Advice for buying electronic devices
| Paragraph | Answer | Why the distractor fails |
|---|
| A | ii | The paragraph is about demand being greater than expected, not about any one type of item. |
| B | iv | "Spare parts at cost" is a detail; the main idea is that the café runs on donated time. Heading iii is never discussed. |
| C | i | Heading vii matches the last sentence only. The paragraph as a whole explains why some items cannot be repaired. |
| D | vi | The social benefits and the satisfaction of teaching both go beyond repairs. |
Headings iii, v and vii are not used. Heading vii is the most tempting distractor because it repeats an idea from paragraph C without summarising the paragraph.
Common Matching Headings traps
| Trap | What happens | Fix |
|---|
| Detail heading | A heading matches one example or sentence. | Ask whether the heading would still fit if that sentence were deleted. |
| Word matching | A heading repeats a word from the paragraph but not its idea. | Compare your five-word summary, not shared vocabulary. |
| First-sentence only | The topic sentence introduces a contrast that the paragraph then develops. | Check the final sentence before you decide. |
| Similar headings | Two headings differ by one idea, such as "causes" and "effects". | Decide which one the paragraph spends most of its sentences on. |
Timing
IELTS Reading gives 60 minutes for 40 questions across three passages, with no extra transfer time. Matching Headings sets often come at the start of a passage, so working through them efficiently also gives you a summary of the passage for the questions that follow.
Practise full sets in IELTS Reading practice, and see the True/False/Not Given guide for the other question type that causes the most lost marks.
Official sources
Checked against IELTS Academic Reading format, IELTS Academic test format in detail on 3 October 2026. English AIdol is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IELTS partners. The examples on this page are original practice material, not official IELTS questions, and any English AIdol feedback is an unofficial estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there more headings than paragraphs in IELTS?
Yes. The list always contains more headings than paragraphs or sections, so some headings are not used.
Should I read the headings or the paragraphs first?
Read the headings list once, then summarise each paragraph in a few words before matching. Summarising first stops similar-looking headings from steering your reading.
Why is my Matching Headings answer wrong when the heading matches a sentence?
A heading must summarise the whole paragraph. Headings that match one example or detail are the most common distractors.
Does IELTS Reading give extra time to transfer answers?
No. IELTS Reading gives 60 minutes for 40 questions with no extra transfer time.
