What Is a Matching Features Question?

In this task, you are given a list of statements and a list of features, such as people, countries, researchers, dates, etc. You must match each statement to the correct feature based on what is mentioned in the passage.

Unlike Matching Information, which asks you to find details in paragraphs, here you are matching specific facts or opinions to the correct person or source.

What Is the Examiner Testing?

This question type checks your ability to:

Recognise who said what or who did what
Track opinion, research, or action in complex texts
Understand paraphrased ideas
Distinguish similar ideas linked to different people or features

Common Mistakes Students Make

Mixing up who did what
Failing to track multiple opinions or facts
Matching based on keywords, not full meaning
Thinking the order of answers will match the order in the passage
Forgetting that one person/feature can be used more than once

Step-by-Step Strategy

Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
- Check whether features (like names) can be used more than once.
Step 2: Skim the List of Features
- Understand who or what each feature represents. You don’t need full details yet.
Step 3: Read Each Statement One at a Time
- Underline the main action, opinion, or idea — not just nouns.
Step 4: Scan for the Matching Person or Source
- Use scanning and paraphrasing to match ideas with the correct feature. Look for signal phrases like:
  - “According to Dr. Chen…”
  - “Smith’s research showed…”
  - “Unlike Brown, Li argued…”
Step 5: Be Ready to Use the Same Feature Multiple Times
- Don’t avoid reusing features if the instructions allow. Do what the evidence says.

Cambridge-Style Example with Explanation

Passage Excerpt:

Three researchers investigated climate change impacts. Dr. Allen observed glacier shrinkage over a 10-year period. Dr. Kim’s study focused on coral bleaching and rising ocean temperatures. Dr. Rao disagreed with both, claiming that recent patterns are part of natural cycles rather than global warming effects.

Statements:

Collected long-term data on glaciers
Focused on marine ecosystems
Questioned the validity of climate change claims

Features:

A. Dr. Allen
B. Dr. Kim
C. Dr. Rao

For Statement 1 A B C

For Statement 2 A B C

For Statement 3 A B C

Show Answer

Why?

Dr. Allen = “observed glacier shrinkage” = long-term data
Dr. Kim = “focused on coral bleaching” = marine ecosystems
Dr. Rao = “disagreed… natural cycles” = questioned climate change

Band 5 vs Band 8 Thinking

Band 5 Learner	Band 8 Learner
Looks for keywords like “glacier”	Matches full idea, even if paraphrased
Misses the connection between subject and action	Tracks who said/did what
Avoids reusing answers	Follows instructions precisely
Guesses if unsure	Checks line-by-line for clarity

Traps to Avoid

Trap	Why It’s Wrong
One-word match	Words can appear in multiple places — focus on meaning
Guessing who “probably” said it	Only match what is clearly stated
Matching by name order	Ideas are rarely presented in the same order as the list
Ignoring contradictory views	Differences in opinion matter – pay attention

Quick Tips – Do vs Don’t

Do	Don’t
Use logic and eliminate wrong matches	Pick the first feature that seems close
Focus on who did/supported what	Assume features go in order
Read all options for each statement	Stop after the first keyword match
Track paraphrasing across the passage	Match based on name alone

Mini Quiz (Practice)