Part 1: Matching Headings
What is this question type?
In Matching Headings, you are given a list of headings (A, B, C, etc.) and a series of paragraphs or sections (1, 2, 3, etc.) from the reading passage. Your task is to select the heading that best summarizes the main idea or purpose of each paragraph. There are always more headings than paragraphs, so some will not be used.

Key Strategy: "The Big Picture First"
Read the Headings First (Skim): Before you look at the passage, read all the provided headings. This gives you a quick overview of the topics you'll be looking for. Underline or highlight keywords in each heading to understand its central theme.

Example:

A. The invention of the telegraph

B. Early methods of communication

C. The social impact of the telephone

Keywords: telegraph, invention; early methods, communication; social impact, telephone.

Read the Paragraphs (Skim): Now, read the first paragraph of the passage. Don't worry about understanding every word. Focus on the first and last sentences, as they often contain the topic and concluding ideas. Try to get a sense of the paragraph's overall meaning.

Find the Best Match: Go back to the headings and find the one that best captures the main idea of the paragraph you just read. Be careful! An entire sentence or phrase may be paraphrased. The correct heading will summarize the entire paragraph, not just one small detail.

Identifying Keywords and Paraphrasing
This is the most critical skill for this question type. The correct answer won't be a word-for-word match.

Synonyms: The heading might use a synonym.

Heading: "The rise of modern agriculture"

Text: "New farming techniques enabled a huge increase in food production..."

rise -> increase; modern agriculture -> new farming techniques.

Related Concepts: The heading might describe a concept, while the text provides a specific example.

Heading: "Technological advancements in the 21st century"

Text: "The widespread use of smartphones has transformed how people interact..."

smartphones are a technological advancement.

Part 2: Matching Information
What is this question type?
In Matching Information, you are given a list of statements (1, 2, 3, etc.) and asked to match them to a specific paragraph (A, B, C, etc.) where the information is located. Unlike Matching Headings, you might need to use some paragraphs more than once, and some might not be used at all.

Key Strategy: "The Details First"
Read the Statements First (Scan): Unlike the previous question type, start by reading the questions or statements you need to find. Underline or highlight the most specific and unique keywords. These are your "locators."

Example Statements:

1. A description of the challenges faced by early explorers.

2. The precise date when the first satellite was launched.

Keywords: challenges, early explorers; precise date, first satellite, launched.

Scan the Passage for Keywords: Look for the specific keywords you highlighted in the statements. Don't read for meaning yet—just scan the text quickly, looking for those words or their direct synonyms.

Read Carefully for the Match: Once you find a potential paragraph, read that section carefully to see if it contains the full information required by the statement. Does the paragraph not only mention "explorers" but also describe their "challenges"?

Identifying Keywords and Paraphrasing
Paraphrased Details: Just like with Matching Headings, the information will be paraphrased. The statement might use a different grammatical structure or different words.

Statement: "A discussion of the environmental impact of deforestation."

Text: "The cutting down of trees on a large scale has led to a significant loss of species and a change in weather patterns."

deforestation -> cutting down of trees; environmental impact -> loss of species, change in weather patterns.

Numbers and Proper Nouns: These are your best friends! They are much harder to paraphrase, so they are excellent locators. Look for names of people, places, dates, and figures.

Combined Application
For both question types, it's essential to practice distinguishing between the overall idea (Heading) and a specific detail (Information). A heading will summarize a broad point, while a statement will refer to a specific fact, example, or opinion within the text.