The question type can be tricky because of the following reasons:

 It takes a little more time than other questions to complete.

 Often, there are more headings than paragraphs.
 Some paragraphs don’t need headings.
 There are some similarities between headings.
 Headings that only include specific details rather than the main idea may mislead
you
 Some headings have the same words that are in a paragraph but don’t match.

Strategy #1: Read the question first

1. First, read each heading

Try to completely understand the meaning of each heading by reading all of them
thoroughly. Understanding the main idea of the heading can be made easier by
paraphrasing.

2. Circle keywords within the headings

Underline or circle keywords in each heading such as names, places, dates, and nouns, once
you have read them fully. Connecting the correct heading to the appropriate paragraph may
become easier with this step.

3. Any similarities or differences between the headings should be noted

In this type of question, headings are often very similar or completely opposite. Similarities
and differences will become clearer among the headings, once you have picked out
keywords. This will make choosing an option clearer.

4. Read the first and last sentence of the paragraph

The first and/or last sentence of a paragraph often contains the main idea. It is good
practice to read these sentences carefully as it will save time. It is also important to skim the
other sentences quickly within the paragraph because the main idea might not be apparent
until the second or third sentence.

5. The heading that is most suitable for the paragraph should be chosen

Choose the heading that most closely matches the paragraph once you have read through
them again. Make a note if you are unsure of the difference between multiple headings, and
move on. You may be able to cross some heading options out and answers may become
clearer once you’ve read all of the paragraphs. Remember, a heading is the main idea of the
paragraph, NOT a specific detail. The same detail in the paragraph such as a matching word
may be in the heading, but it may not be the main idea. This can be confusing to test takers.
Strategy #2: Read the text first
Some test takers prefer to skim through the text reading each paragraph quickly to get the
general gist of what the text is about and what the main idea of each paragraph is. However,
be very careful with timing. Remember you only have 20 minutes per Reading part, so you
don’t want to spend the full 20 minutes on one question type.

1. Read one paragraph at a time

Again, spend more time on the first and last sentences of a paragraph, trying to identify the
main idea.

2. Create your own heading

As soon as you have skimmed through the paragraph, think of your own heading or short
sentence that summarises what you have read. Your heading should encompass the main
idea and not just specific details.

3. Read each individual heading

For a complete understanding of the meaning, read the headings thoroughly. This time, try
to choose a heading that is closely related to the heading that you made up for the same
paragraph. Again, make note of multiple options that may fit the paragraph and move on.
As you read more paragraphs you may be able to eliminate options. Mark keywords that
note similarities and differences as this will aid in eliminating headings with similar
meanings.

General tips
Be as efficient with your time as possible when choosing the correct heading for both
strategies as this can be very time-consuming. Make a note of all answers and move on to
the next paragraph if you are unsure of the difference between two or more headings.

Eliminating possible answers as you read further into the passage may be an option.
Crossing out the heading on the test booklet once you are sure you have the correct
heading for the paragraph or have eliminated an option is good practice. This results in less
time spent on repeatedly reading the same heading.

Finally, skimming is an essential skill for time-consuming question types such as matching
headings. This skill will also provide you more time to do the other questions within the
reading section.

TRY THIS OUT

Match Headings Questions 1-5
The reading passage has five paragraphs, A-E.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs A-E from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i-x, in boxes 1-5.

 Paragraph A ________
 Paragraph B ________
 Paragraph C ________
 Paragraph D ________
 Paragraph E ________

Despite its bad reputation, stress historically had a vital role to play. Commonly referred to
as the ‘fight or flight’ mode, the sudden release of stress hormones like adrenalin and
cortisol causes the heart to beat faster, airways to dilate and blood vessels to open up, all of
which push the body towards optimal performance and, ultimately, survival. In the rest of
the animal kingdom, this is still often the difference between life and death. As he springs
off to freedom, the lucky gazelle who escapes the lion can thank this primal evolutionary
response.

In ordinary modern life, although we’re in little danger of being stalked by wild beasts down
city streets, our bodies react to stress in the same ways. Experiencing anxiety, fear and
stress is considered a normal part of life when it is occasional and temporary, such as feeling
anxious and stressed before an exam or a job interview. It is when these acute reactions are
prolonged or cannot be switched off, however, that serious physical, social and cognitive
issues can result. In contrast to the normal everyday stress of modern life, chronic stress is a
pathological state which can significantly interfere with daily living activities such as work,
school and relationships, wreaking havoc on the body’s immune, metabolic and
cardiovascular systems.

Of major concern is the impact on the brain. Researchers have found that the hippocampus,
the control centre of memory and our ability to learn, can physically shrink in response to
prolonged release of stress hormones like cortisol which result from chronic stress. Neurons
in this area do not just get smaller, but actually die, which weakens the neural connections,
affecting the way memories are organised and stored in the brain. A chronically stressed
person would recognise this as a ‘brain fog’, and it also has ramifications for other areas
such as creativity and adaptability.

While this part of the brain gets smaller, another area, the amygdala, which is involved in
processing emotions, can grow with chronic stress. Across species, a larger amygdala has
been found to correlate with aggression and this, coupled with the weakened connection to
the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s decision-making centre, can profoundly impact mood and
behaviour. With the link between emotions and decision-making compromised, a person is
much less able to stop and reflect, becoming instead reactive and short-fused. Think of the
difference between being able to tolerate a screaming child and instead giving in to the
desire to scream back.

In the past, it was accepted that there was a limited number of neurons in the brain and as
they died off as a result of ageing, stress or substance abuse, for instance, they were lost
forever. It turns out, however, that this is not the case and that stem cells within the brain
are actually able to create new neurons. In other words, lost neurons can be replaced. What
makes this discovery even more powerful is the fact that replenishing neurons is rather
straightforward. One of the most powerful stimulants for neuron growth is physical activity.
So, in addition to its role in the reduction of stress hormones in the first place, and its ability
to stimulate the release of endorphins, exercise has now been shown to contribute to the
repair of the chronically stressed brain.
Answers

1 Paragraph A   vi

2 Paragraph B   iii

3 Paragraph C   iv

4 Paragraph D   viii

5 Paragraph E   x