Part 1: What is Matching Sentence Endings Question Type?
Understanding the Question Type
Matching Sentence Endings is a common question type in the IELTS Academic Reading section. In this task, you are given the first half of several sentences, along with a list of possible sentence endings. Your job is to match each sentence beginning with the correct ending so that it forms a grammatically correct and meaningful statement based on the information in the reading passage.
Key Features of Matching Sentence Endings:
You will see several incomplete sentences (sentence beginnings).
You will also see a list of options (sentence endings) labeled with letters (A, B, C…).
There are more endings than questions, so some options will not be used.
The sentences are based on the content in the passage, not general knowledge.
Purpose of the Question
This question type is designed to test your ability to:
Understand specific details and main ideas.
Recognize relationships between ideas.
Demonstrate grammatical and logical coherence in completing sentences.
Skills Tested:
Skimming to find where the sentence topic appears in the passage.
Scanning to locate the exact sentence with the matching idea.
Understanding complex sentence structures and paraphrasing.
Choosing grammatically correct and logically sound endings.
Example Format:
Sentence Beginnings:
The study suggested that children…
The research team discovered that…
Sentence Endings:
A. …benefit more from visual aids than text alone.
B. …was not accurate in their predictions.
C. …preferred group activities to individual tasks.
In this case, you must connect the correct beginning with the appropriate ending (e.g., 1 → A, 2 → C), based on the content of the reading passage.
Part 2: How to Approach the Matching Sentence Endings Question Type
Step-by-Step Strategy
Understanding how to correctly answer Matching Sentence Endings questions in the IELTS Academic Reading test is crucial for scoring well. Here’s a clear and practical step-by-step method you can follow:
Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
📝 Why?
To understand how many sentence beginnings need to be matched and to how many endings you can choose from.
📌 Tip:
There are more endings than beginnings, so you won’t use all the options.
Step 2: Read the Sentence Beginnings First
📝 Why?
This helps you understand what kind of information you’re looking for in the passage.
📌 Tip:
Pay attention to subjects, verbs, and keywords in each beginning.
✅ Example:
“1. The main advantage of solar energy is that it…”
You’ll look for advantages of solar energy in the passage.
Step 3: Read the Sentence Endings Carefully
📝 Why?
Some endings may look grammatically correct but may not make logical sense with the beginning or contradict the passage.
📌 Tip:
Highlight key words or phrases in each option.
✅ Example Endings:
A. …has a low impact on the environment.
B. …can be stored in large tanks for weeks.
C. …requires constant supervision from experts.
Only one may logically and factually complete the sentence.
Step 4: Skim the Passage for Keywords
📝 Why?
To locate the section of the text that discusses the topic in the sentence beginning.
📌 Tip:
Use keywords or synonyms from the beginning to find the right area in the text.
Step 5: Match Ideas, Not Just Words
📝 Why?
The correct sentence ending will paraphrase the idea found in the passage, not necessarily use the same wording.
📌 Tip:
Focus on meaning and grammar, not just matching similar vocabulary.
Step 6: Eliminate Incorrect Endings
📝 Why?
Some endings may be partially correct, grammatically incorrect, or irrelevant.
📌 Tip:
Use process of elimination to narrow down the correct option.
Step 7: Double-Check Grammar and Logic
📝 Why?
Even if two parts seem to fit logically, they must also form a grammatically correct sentence.
📌 Tip:
Read the full sentence out loud to check if it sounds natural and matches the meaning in the passage.
✅ Complete Example: Step-by-Step Matching
Sentence Beginning:
The new vaccine was considered effective because it…
Sentence Endings:
A. …was cheaper than all previous vaccines.
B. …provided long-term immunity after one dose.
C. …was developed using animal testing.
Skim the Text:
“…the new vaccine showed promising results, with a single dose offering immunity that lasted for several years, eliminating the need for boosters.”
Matching Process:
A: Cheaper? Not mentioned.
B: Matches the idea of “immunity after one dose”.
C: Animal testing? Possibly true but not the reason for effectiveness.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Summary Tips
Always match ideas and grammar.
Use keywords and paraphrasing skills.
Eliminate illogical or unsupported endings.
Part 3: IELTS Academic Reading Passage with Matching Sentence Endings Questions
Reading Passage 2: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Paragraph A
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has started to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare. From assisting in diagnosis to managing hospital operations, AI technologies are being integrated into medical systems worldwide. Machine learning algorithms, a subfield of AI, can now analyze vast amounts of medical data in seconds, offering faster and often more accurate results than traditional methods.
Paragraph B
One significant area of application is medical imaging. AI can detect patterns in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans that may not be easily visible to the human eye. In some cases, AI has outperformed experienced radiologists in identifying early signs of diseases like cancer or pneumonia. However, experts emphasize that these tools should be used to support—not replace—human doctors.
Paragraph C
Beyond diagnostics, AI is being used to optimize hospital resource management. Predictive algorithms can forecast patient admission rates, allowing administrators to allocate beds and staff more efficiently. Moreover, virtual health assistants powered by AI are being employed to guide patients through appointment scheduling and post-treatment care.
Paragraph D
Despite its benefits, the adoption of AI in healthcare also raises ethical concerns. Issues such as data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential loss of human oversight are hotly debated. Ensuring transparency and accountability in AI systems is essential to build public trust and promote responsible use.
Paragraph E
Future developments suggest an even deeper integration of AI into personalized medicine. By analyzing genetic data, lifestyle habits, and medical history, AI could help design tailor-made treatment plans for individual patients. While the technology is still evolving, researchers remain optimistic about its potential to make healthcare more efficient, accurate, and inclusive.
Questions 1–5: Matching Sentence Endings
Complete each sentence below with the correct ending A–G from the box below.
Write the correct letter A–G next to questions 1–5.
Note: There are more endings than you need.
Sentence Beginnings:
Machine learning algorithms are capable of
In the field of medical imaging, AI can
Predictive algorithms assist hospital staff by
Ethical concerns about AI in healthcare include
In the future, AI may allow for
Sentence Endings:
A. helping doctors conduct more face-to-face appointments with patients.
B. personalizing treatment based on a patient’s unique characteristics.
C. forecasting demand for resources like hospital beds and personnel.
D. scanning images with better accuracy than any known technology.
E. analyzing large volumes of information rapidly and accurately.
F. replacing medical staff entirely in diagnosis and treatment.
G. challenges like privacy violations and algorithmic bias.
Part 4: Step-by-Step Explanation of the Answers
Below is a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the correct answers for the Matching Sentence Endings questions in Part 3.
Question 1: Machine learning algorithms are capable of…
🔍 Locate in the Passage:
“Machine learning algorithms… can now analyze vast amounts of medical data in seconds, offering faster and often more accurate results than traditional methods.” (Paragraph A)
📌 Explanation:
The key idea is that machine learning can analyze large amounts of information quickly and accurately, which matches closely with ending E.
✅ Correct Answer: E
Full Sentence: Machine learning algorithms are capable of analyzing large volumes of information rapidly and accurately.
Question 2: In the field of medical imaging, AI can…
🔍 Locate in the Passage:
“AI can detect patterns in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans that may not be easily visible to the human eye. In some cases, AI has outperformed experienced radiologists…” (Paragraph B)
📌 Explanation:
This tells us that AI is effective at analyzing medical images, sometimes better than expert doctors. The most suitable match is D, which emphasizes AI’s accuracy in scanning images.
✅ Correct Answer: D
Full Sentence: In the field of medical imaging, AI can scan images with better accuracy than any known technology.
Question 3: Predictive algorithms assist hospital staff by…
🔍 Locate in the Passage:
“Predictive algorithms can forecast patient admission rates, allowing administrators to allocate beds and staff more efficiently.” (Paragraph C)
📌 Explanation:
This clearly aligns with ending C, which refers to forecasting resource demand such as beds and staff.
✅ Correct Answer: C
Full Sentence: Predictive algorithms assist hospital staff by forecasting demand for resources like hospital beds and personnel.
Question 4: Ethical concerns about AI in healthcare include…
🔍 Locate in the Passage:
“Issues such as data privacy, bias in algorithms, and the potential loss of human oversight are hotly debated.” (Paragraph D)
📌 Explanation:
This sentence explicitly lists ethical concerns such as privacy and bias. Ending G matches this idea directly.
✅ Correct Answer: G
Full Sentence: Ethical concerns about AI in healthcare include challenges like privacy violations and algorithmic bias.
Question 5: In the future, AI may allow for…
🔍 Locate in the Passage:
“By analyzing genetic data, lifestyle habits, and medical history, AI could help design tailor-made treatment plans for individual patients.” (Paragraph E)
📌 Explanation:
This points to personalized medicine, which aligns perfectly with ending B.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Full Sentence: In the future, AI may allow for personalizing treatment based on a patient’s unique characteristics.
✅ Final Answer Key:
| Question | Correct Ending | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | analyzing large volumes of information rapidly and accurately. | E |
| 2 | scan images with better accuracy than any known technology. | D |
| 3 | forecasting demand for resources like hospital beds and personnel. | C |
| 4 | challenges like privacy violations and algorithmic bias. | G |
| 5 | personalizing treatment based on a patient’s unique characteristics. | B |
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