IELTS Listening Matching Questions - Practice Test, Tips & Strategies

In the IELTS Listening section, you will have Matching question type that tests your listening ability to follow along any detail in given audio. You will have list of options from names and places to reasons. Just match them with two statements or whichever is listed in audio. For instance- an instruction will ask you to match items from one list with information in another list. You are assessed on your comprehension of connecting information in audio. You may not be asked to highlight each and everything you hear. There can also be questions for matching multiple options to one item.

Example:

You will then listen to the audio and match the people to the statements that best describe them.

Develop better listening skills before interpreting any information to answer “Matching questions” question on IELTS Listening. Beyond those you can follow these tips-

1. Read each and every instruction for solving question carefully

Read instructions first. Do not jump to audio straight.  Start with what question asks. Figure out whether you have to match names numbers or dates with what you hear. Just don't skip options compared to items so you have clear idea of answers much ahead of time.

2. Focus on keywords

Question will have some keywords to be matched with audio. Look out for hints that point out to any one of options. If person is speaking about playing sports for instance look out for statement that connects that idea with their hobbies.

3. Listen to specificities 

Speaker in audio may highlight some characteristics or details. It could be about person or event. Even that could be useful to get correct answer match. See example below.

If in audio that "Michael is teacher and enjoys sports" you can match Michael with option that says “Works as teacher” and “Enjoys playing tennis” if those statements appear in option

Matching questions can have diff. format. Here are some common types of matching questions on IELTS exam-

1. Matching Names to Statements

In this type of question - you are required to match names of people or organisations with specific info. about them. Speaker may provide diff. details about each person and you have to match these details with the correct person/organisation.

Example-

2. Matching a Person to a Place or Event

In these questions - you might get asked to match a person with a place, event or time, depending on what is discussed in given audio.

Example-

Listen to which person is mentioned in connection with given event to match them correctly.

3. Matching to Dates or Times

IELTS Listening Matching questions may also ask you to match specific dates, times or numbers with people or events. These questions test your ability to follow chronological information.

Example-

Check out some tips below to tackle with IELTS’s Listening section's Macthing questions-

1. Improve Focus and Concentration

When you hear an audio - you have to listen carefully so that you don't miss any important information. For this - you must build your focus and concentration to remember all the major details. 

2. Practice Matching Questions 

Listen to different audios and attempt matching questions. This will give your practice an extra edge to tackle such questions on the actual test day. 

3. Don’t Overthink and Waste Time

If you do not know an answer, don't keep remembering the information rather move ahead to the next question.
Click here to read about - Note Completion, Sentence Completion, and Map/Plan/Diagram Labelling.