Matching Headings is a popular question type in the IELTS Reading test. You’ll be given a list of headings (short titles or summaries) and asked to match each one to the correct paragraph in the passage.
Each heading summarises the main idea of one paragraph. Your job is to figure out which heading best reflects the purpose of that paragraph — not just a sentence or detail.
In this task, the examiner wants to see if you can:
This question type tests your ability to:
This is the same approach I use with my students who move from Band 5 to Band 7.5+.
Headings:
Paragraph C:
The Maya civilisation viewed time not only as a means to track events but also as a deeply spiritual cycle that governed life, death, and the will of the gods. Each day on the calendar was associated with a unique combination of gods and omens, determining whether it was an auspicious day for activities such as planting crops or conducting rituals. Decisions regarding war, marriage, and leadership were based on this sacred calendar. Priests, who held the knowledge of these cycles, played a vital role in advising rulers and communities. For the Maya, time was not linear — it was divine.
Why?
Why Others Are Wrong:
Band 5 Approach | Band 8 Approach |
Matches keywords like “rituals” or “farming” | Understands full paragraph meaning |
Chooses the first heading that feels familiar | Cross-checks all headings before deciding |
Ignores paraphrasing | Notices synonyms and implied meaning |
Focuses on one sentence | Considers paragraph as a whole |
IELTS loves to include similar-looking headings to test deep understanding:
| Heading A | Heading B | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| A change in tradition | A challenge to tradition | One describes shift, the other describes conflict |
| Benefits of trade | Growth of trade | One is about results, the other about expansion |
| A new theory | A proven theory | One is hypothetical, the other confirmed |
Always ask: “Which idea does the paragraph support?”
Do | Don’t |
Skim the full paragraph | Match based on one sentence |
Read headings before reading | Match in order (A with i, B with ii…) |
Eliminate clearly wrong options | Spend too long on one question |
Check for reuse rules | Reuse headings without permission |
Instructions: Match the correct heading to the paragraph below.
Headings:
Paragraph:
In early Mesoamerican culture, tracking the movement of stars and the phases of the moon was essential for farming success. Villagers believed that failing to honour seasonal gods with rituals would result in poor harvests. Their calendar was closely tied to these cycles and guided all aspects of planting and gathering.
Q: What is the best heading?
Ans: 2. Traditional beliefs about time
Explanation: The paragraph is about how belief and time influenced agriculture, not just about calendars or stars.
Matching Headings isn’t about spotting the right word — it’s about spotting the core message.
The more you practise identifying main ideas, the faster this question type becomes. Always think like an examiner: What is the paragraph trying to tell me as a whole?
Keep going — and see how each type connects. Master this, and you’re well on your way to Band 8+.
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