Part 1: What is Matching Features Question Type?
🔍 Overview of Matching Features in IELTS Academic Reading
The Matching Features question type in the IELTS Academic Reading test requires you to match a list of statements or characteristics with a set of options. These options often refer to people, researchers, theories, time periods, or places mentioned in the reading passage.
This task evaluates your ability to:
Understand detailed information and specific claims,
Recognize relationships or comparisons between facts,
Identify information that is paraphrased or expressed differently across the passage.
🧠 What Do Matching Features Questions Look Like?
You’ll be given:
A list of features or statements (e.g., “Developed the first theory on…”, “Criticized a popular method…”),
A set of options (usually labeled with names or identifiers like A, B, C, D, etc.),
A reading passage containing all the information needed.
Your task is to:
Match each statement with the correct option based on the reading content.
📝 Example Format
Match the following statements with the correct scientists (A–D). You may use any letter more than once.
Statements:
Proposed a theory based on field research.
Introduced a mathematical model.
Questioned the accuracy of earlier data.
Options:
A. Dr. Lisa Cohen
B. Professor Raj Malik
C. Dr. Emily Zhou
D. Dr. John Reeds
In the passage, you will find information about each scientist’s work, and you must identify which statement applies to which person.
⚠️ Important Notes
A feature can be used more than once, or not at all, depending on the instructions.
You must read carefully to distinguish between similar details.
Statements are often paraphrased, not copied directly from the text.
This question tests your ability to find connections, not just locate matching words.
This question type typically appears in Passage 2 or Passage 3, where the texts are more complex, dense, and analytical in nature.
Part 2: How to Approach Matching Features Questions
🧭 Step-by-Step Strategy
Matching Features questions can be tricky because you need to identify who said what or which feature relates to whom or what, based on potentially paraphrased or indirect references. Here’s a structured way to approach these questions:
Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
✅ Understand whether you can use each option once, more than once, or not at all. This determines how you eliminate or reuse answers.
Step 2: Skim the Passage to Understand the Structure
🔍 Spend 2–3 minutes skimming the text to grasp the main idea of each paragraph and locate where each person, concept, or item is discussed.
Example:
If options refer to four scientists, note which paragraph each scientist appears in.
E.g., Paragraph A – Dr. Lisa Cohen, Paragraph B – Professor Raj Malik, etc.
Step 3: Read the Statements Carefully
🧩 Go through each feature or claim. Try to understand what exactly is being stated or asked—this helps when paraphrased versions appear in the passage.
Break it down:
“Introduced a mathematical model” → Look for terms like equation, formula, quantitative framework, etc.
“Criticized earlier research” → May be paraphrased as challenged, disputed, or found flaws in.
Step 4: Scan the Text for Keywords and Synonyms
🔎 Use names or terms from the options to locate relevant sections. Then, read those parts in detail to find information matching the statement.
Example:
If you’re matching “Proposed a theory based on field research” and the text says:
“Dr. Cohen, after years of observing primates in the wild, suggested a new model of social behavior…”
This implies:
Field research → “observing primates in the wild”
Proposed a theory → “suggested a new model”
✅ So the answer is Dr. Lisa Cohen.
Step 5: Match Each Statement Logically
⚖️ Make the match only if you’re confident the content aligns. Don’t guess based solely on a few matching words—look at context and meaning.
Also, mark statements you’re unsure of, and return to them later after completing the others. Sometimes, later answers help confirm earlier guesses.
Step 6: Use the Process of Elimination
❌ If you’ve already confidently used an option and the instruction says each option is used once, then remove it from your list of possibilities.
Step-by-Step Example
Let’s apply the strategy to a mini example.
Match the statements with the correct person (A–C):
Statements:
Developed a new climate prediction model.
Emphasized the importance of historical temperature data.
Questioned the reliability of satellite data.
Options:
A. Dr. Singh
B. Dr. Alston
C. Dr. Rivera
Text Excerpt:
Dr. Singh’s work revolutionized climate forecasting by introducing a dynamic simulation tool integrating oceanic and atmospheric variables.
Dr. Alston analyzed temperature trends dating back to the 1700s, asserting that historical records hold key predictive value.
Dr. Rivera raised concerns about inconsistencies in satellite measurements due to calibration issues.
Answer Explanation:
Statement 1 → “Developed a new climate prediction model”
→ Dr. Singh = “introducing a dynamic simulation tool”
✅ Answer: AStatement 2 → “Emphasized the importance of historical temperature data”
→ Dr. Alston = “temperature trends dating back to the 1700s… key predictive value”
✅ Answer: BStatement 3 → “Questioned the reliability of satellite data”
→ Dr. Rivera = “concerns about inconsistencies in satellite measurements”
✅ Answer: C
💡 Final Tips
Don’t panic if wording is different—IELTS often paraphrases.
Underline or note key terms as you go.
Use a table or checklist to keep track of which options have been used.
Part 3: IELTS Academic Reading Passage with Matching Features Questions
📘 Reading Passage: “The Birth of Modern Neuroscience”
Passage 2
The study of the human brain has evolved rapidly over the past two centuries, influenced by a number of groundbreaking researchers. Theories on how the brain functions and how behavior is linked to neural activity have laid the foundation for modern neuroscience.
Paragraph A
In the early 19th century, Franz Joseph Gall proposed the theory of phrenology, asserting that different brain regions had distinct functions. He believed that the shape of the skull reflected mental faculties. Although phrenology is now discredited, Gall was among the first to suggest that the brain is compartmentalized into functional areas—a notion that remains central to neuroscience.
Paragraph B
Paul Broca, a French physician in the mid-1800s, studied patients with speech impairments and concluded that a specific region of the brain—the posterior portion of the left frontal lobe—was essential for speech production. This area is now known as “Broca’s area.” His findings gave early support to the idea of brain localization.
Paragraph C
Carl Wernicke, a German neurologist, expanded on Broca’s findings. He studied language comprehension and identified a different brain region—now called Wernicke’s area—responsible for understanding spoken language. Wernicke was among the first to suggest that complex cognitive functions are distributed across different but interconnected brain areas.
Paragraph D
Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish neuroscientist, is often regarded as the father of modern neuroscience. Using a staining technique developed by Camillo Golgi, Cajal meticulously mapped individual neurons and demonstrated that neurons are separate, individual cells—not a continuous network as previously believed. His “neuron doctrine” transformed the field.
Paragraph E
Wilder Penfield, a Canadian neurosurgeon, conducted surgical procedures on epileptic patients during the 20th century. While patients were conscious, he stimulated different parts of the brain and recorded their responses. Through this, he created maps of the motor and sensory cortices, showing which areas controlled specific body functions. His work contributed greatly to functional brain mapping.
🧾 Matching Features Questions
Match each statement with the correct researcher, A–E.
Write the correct letter, A–E, in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.
You may use any letter more than once.
Statements:
Identified the brain region linked to understanding spoken words.
Developed a detailed theory that neurons are individual, not interconnected.
Believed the skull shape revealed mental capabilities.
Discovered a specific area responsible for producing speech.
Used direct brain stimulation to study functions during surgeries.
Researchers:
A. Franz Joseph Gall
B. Paul Broca
C. Carl Wernicke
D. Santiago Ramón y Cajal
E. Wilder Penfield
Part 4: Step-by-Step Answer Explanation for Matching Features
Let’s analyze each statement from Part 3 and match it to the correct researcher based on the passage. We’ll walk through the logic and highlight the relevant text from the passage to justify each answer.
Statement 1: Identified the brain region linked to understanding spoken words.
🔎 Key ideas to look for:
Understanding spoken language
Specific brain region
📖 Text reference (Paragraph C):
“Carl Wernicke… identified a different brain region—now called Wernicke’s area—responsible for understanding spoken language.”
✅ Correct Match: C. Carl Wernicke
Statement 2: Developed a detailed theory that neurons are individual, not interconnected.
🔎 Key ideas to look for:
Neurons are individual cells
Contradicting earlier belief of continuous network
📖 Text reference (Paragraph D):
“Santiago Ramón y Cajal… demonstrated that neurons are separate, individual cells—not a continuous network as previously believed. His ‘neuron doctrine’ transformed the field.”
✅ Correct Match: D. Santiago Ramón y Cajal
Statement 3: Believed the skull shape revealed mental capabilities.
🔎 Key ideas to look for:
Skull shape
Connection to mental faculties
An outdated theory
📖 Text reference (Paragraph A):
“Franz Joseph Gall proposed the theory of phrenology… He believed that the shape of the skull reflected mental faculties.”
✅ Correct Match: A. Franz Joseph Gall
Statement 4: Discovered a specific area responsible for producing speech.
🔎 Key ideas to look for:
Speech production
Brain localization
📖 Text reference (Paragraph B):
“Paul Broca… concluded that a specific region… was essential for speech production. This area is now known as ‘Broca’s area.’”
✅ Correct Match: B. Paul Broca
Statement 5: Used direct brain stimulation to study functions during surgeries.
🔎 Key ideas to look for:
Surgical procedures
Brain stimulation while patients were awake
Mapping brain function
📖 Text reference (Paragraph E):
“Wilder Penfield… stimulated different parts of the brain and recorded their responses… He created maps of the motor and sensory cortices…”
✅ Correct Match: E. Wilder Penfield
✅ Final Answer Summary
| Statement | Correct Answer | Researcher |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Carl Wernicke |
| 2 | D | Santiago Ramón y Cajal |
| 3 | A | Franz Joseph Gall |
| 4 | B | Paul Broca |
| 5 | E | Wilder Penfield |
Each answer is derived by matching paraphrased statements to the specific contributions of each researcher as described in the passage.
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