IELTS Reading Task: Choosing Headings

There are two types of headings questions:  Type 1. Choosing headings for paragraphs or sections of a text. This type of question requires you to sum up the meaning of a paragraph in order to match it to a bank of possible headings. You may be asked to match every paragraph or section of the text or just a selection of paragraphs.  

Type 2. Choosing a heading for the whole text. These require you to sum up the whole text.

Look at the example below.

Questions 1- 3 Reading Passage 2 has six paragraphs A-F. From the list of headings below choose the most suitable heading for paragraphs A, B and C from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate numbers i-vii in boxes 1-3 on your answer sheet. 1 Section A 2 Section B 3 Section C

Question 4 From the list below choose the most suitable title for Reading Passage 2. Write the appropriate letter A-E in box 4 on your answer sheet. A Legislation to reduce harmful emissions B Problems of air pollution. C Air pollution – a global problem. D Clean Air E Reducing harmful emissions

  

How to do:

• Read the instructions carefully,
• Make sure you know which paragraphs or sections you have sum up.
• Read the first paragraph or section and try to sum up, in your own words, what it is about.
• Then search through the bank of headings for the best answer.
• Make sure the heading you have chosen sums up the entire paragraph and not just one idea within it.
• If you have to sum up the entire text. Read the whole text before looking at the bank of headings. Try to think of your own heading and then look at the options.

Reference: How to Prepare for IELTS Writing. City University of Hongkong: English Language Center.