B2 First Exam Guide: Multiple Matching
Reading & Use of English Paper
Contents
Overview
Context: Part 7 of the Reading & Use of English paper includes either one long text or up to six shorter texts followed by 10 questions.
Task: Candidates need to find specific information in the text(s) that corresponds to each question. This involves discerning detailed information, attitudes, or opinions expressed in the text.
Objective: To assess the ability to locate specific details and recognize opinions and attitudes within a text or across multiple texts.
Scoring & Marks: The ten questions are worth ten points, so one point for each. There are 32 points available for the whole Reading & Use of English paper.
How to Approach
- Skimming and Scanning: Develop skills in quickly identifying specific information within the text(s).
- Analysing Questions: Understand the depth and nature of each question to identify the corresponding part of the text.
- Avoiding Similar Vocabulary Traps: Be cautious not to choose an answer based solely on a word match. Ensure the selected part of the text aligns with the entire question's context.
- Comparative Analysis: For texts with multiple people expressing their thoughts, differentiate between their viewpoints or information provided.
Example Question
5. Which guests were made to feel as though they were lying?
matches with
We didn't have to leave the room to experience the entertainment as could hear every word in the bedroom! We could even hear people's conversations from the street below! We went down for the meal at 8pm and that was lovely, I couldn't fault it whatsoever. When we mentioned the loud music to our waiter, he acted as if he didn't believe us!
Assessment Focus
This part emphasises the ability to understand detailed content and distinguish between various opinions and attitudes presented in the text(s).
Tips
- Practise reading a variety of texts, focusing on identifying specific details and understanding different perspectives.
- Work on speed reading techniques to quickly locate relevant information without losing comprehension accuracy.
- Take part in team-based activities where students race to find specific information in texts, emphasising both speed and accuracy.
- Read texts where several people give their thoughts or opinions about the same thing and identify their opinions and attitudes.
How It Looks
Student Suggestion
"I would practise faster reading activities with my friends, turn it into a competition, but making sure the right answers were always important. You can train yourself, your brain, to read faster, it's very effective." - Marco Aquilani
Practice Exercises
We have a page on the site to practise: B2 First: Multiple Matching Exercises
