Handout · Day 2

Matching Headings · True / False / Not Given

Duration: 90 minutes Module: Reading Focus: Paraphrase recognition, topic sentences, TFNG logic and traps

Objectives

0:00 – 0:10

Warm-Up: Heading Prediction

Read each paragraph below and predict which heading matches it best. Write your prediction, then discuss your reasoning with a partner before the answers are revealed. There are more headings than paragraphs, so some will be left over — just like in the real test.

The paragraphs — Urbanisation

Paragraph A. Urbanization has accelerated dramatically in the last century, with over half the world's population now living in cities. This rapid growth brings economic opportunities but also strains resources like housing and transportation.

Your prediction:

Paragraph B. For instance, cities such as Tokyo and New York have invested heavily in public transport systems to manage population density. These investments have reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality in many areas.

Your prediction:

Paragraph C. However, not all urban developments are positive. In some developing countries, unplanned expansion leads to slums, poor sanitation, and increased pollution, highlighting the need for better planning.

Your prediction:

Paragraph D. As a consequence, governments are implementing smart city technologies, including IoT sensors and data analytics, to optimize resource use and enhance living standards.

Your prediction:

Paragraph E. In summary, while urbanization presents challenges, strategic policies can turn it into a driver of sustainable progress.

Your prediction:

List of headings (more than needed)
  • i — Benefits of Public Transport
  • ii — The Rise of Urban Living
  • iii — Future Solutions for Cities
  • iv — Negative Impacts in Developing Nations
  • v — Historical Trends in Population Growth
  • vi — Examples of Successful Urban Management
  • vii — Overall Outlook on Urbanization
  • viii — Economic Advantages Only
  1. ii — The Rise of Urban Living (topic sentence about acceleration of urbanisation)
  2. vi — Examples of Successful Urban Management (Tokyo, NYC examples)
  3. iv — Negative Impacts in Developing Nations
  4. iii — Future Solutions for Cities (smart-city tech)
  5. vii — Overall Outlook on Urbanization (the "In summary" tells you it's a conclusion/outlook)

The trap: v ("Historical Trends") sounds like A but A is about recent acceleration, not historical patterns. viii ("Economic Advantages Only") is wrong for A because A mentions strains too.

0:10 – 0:30

Matching Headings Strategy

The heading describes the main idea, not a detail. If a heading matches only one example or one sentence, it's wrong — even if the words match.

The 4-step workflow
  1. Read the topic sentence of each paragraph (usually the first sentence).
  2. Summarise the paragraph in your head in 5–7 words.
  3. Find the heading whose paraphrase matches your summary.
  4. Cross out used headings so you don't double-use.
Three classic traps
  • Same word ≠ same idea. A heading might repeat a word from one sentence but miss the paragraph's actual point.
  • Too narrow. Heading describes only one example, not the whole paragraph.
  • Too broad. Heading could apply to any paragraph in the passage.
0:30 – 0:55

True / False / Not Given Rules

AnswerWhat it means
TRUEThe statement agrees with the passage. Meaning matches, even if the words are paraphrased.
FALSEThe statement contradicts the passage. The passage says something different — actively wrong, not just unmentioned.
NOT GIVENNo information in the passage to confirm or deny. You cannot decide from the text alone.
The single most common error

Choosing TRUE or FALSE because the statement seems reasonable — based on your general knowledge. Forget what you know. If it's not in the passage, it's NOT GIVEN.

Watch for these traps
  • Absolute words — "always", "never", "all", "every", "only", "the most". The passage usually uses softer language ("often", "some", "mainly").
  • Partial matches — most of the statement matches, but one key word differs → FALSE.
  • Logical extensions — sounds true based on the topic, but the passage didn't actually say it → NOT GIVEN.

Worked examples

Passage extract: "Solar energy adoption grew by 30% in Europe last year, mainly due to government subsidies."

  1. "Solar energy increased in Europe." →
  2. "Solar energy adoption doubled last year." →
  3. "Government subsidies were the only reason for growth." →
  4. "Solar energy is popular worldwide." →
  5. "No subsidies exist in Europe." →
  1. TRUE — "increased" paraphrases "grew by 30%".
  2. FALSE — 30% growth ≠ doubled (which would be 100%).
  3. FALSE — "the only reason" is an absolute. Passage says mainly due to subsidies, implying other reasons existed too.
  4. NOT GIVEN — passage only mentions Europe. Worldwide popularity isn't discussed.
  5. FALSE — passage explicitly says subsidies are why solar grew, so subsidies do exist.

Notice how 3 and 4 both feel like "Not Given" candidates — but 3 directly contradicts "mainly" with "only", so it's FALSE. The absolute word matters.

Quick decision tree
  1. Find the relevant sentence in the passage.
  2. Does the statement agree? → TRUE.
  3. Does it contradict? → FALSE.
  4. Can't find any sentence on this point? → NOT GIVEN.
  5. If you're stuck between FALSE and NOT GIVEN, ask: "Would I need to add information to make this statement match the passage?" If yes → NOT GIVEN.
0:55 – 1:25

Practice: Mixed Question Set

Work in pairs. Skim first, then answer. Share your reasoning before you reveal answers.

15:00
Read + answer — 15 min
Passage: The Rise of Electric Vehicles

A. Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity as a cleaner alternative to traditional cars. Global sales reached over 10 million in 2023, driven by environmental concerns and falling battery costs.

B. Governments worldwide offer incentives such as tax credits and free parking to encourage EV adoption. For example, Norway has the highest per capita EV ownership due to generous subsidies.

C. However, challenges persist. Limited charging infrastructure in rural areas discourages many potential buyers. Battery production also relies on rare minerals, raising ethical and supply issues.

D. Experts predict that by 2035, EVs could make up 60% of new car sales if current trends continue. Advances in fast-charging technology will likely accelerate this shift.

Questions 1–2 — Matching Headings

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs A and C.

List of headings: i Government Support Measures · ii Future Projections for EVs · iii Current Growth Statistics · iv Environmental Benefits Only · v Remaining Obstacles · vi Battery Technology Improvements

  1. Paragraph A:
  2. Paragraph C:

Questions 3–6 — True / False / Not Given

  1. EV sales exceeded 10 million worldwide in 2023.
  2. Norway leads in EV ownership because of high taxes on petrol cars.
  3. All countries provide the same level of incentives for EVs.
  4. By 2035, EVs will definitely dominate the car market completely.

1. Paragraph A → iii Current Growth Statistics. "10 million in 2023" + "gaining popularity" = current growth. (iv is wrong because A mentions battery costs too, not only environment.)

2. Paragraph C → v Remaining Obstacles. "challenges persist" + "Limited charging" + "ethical and supply issues" = obstacles.

3. TRUE — "exceeded" = "reached over".

4. NOT GIVEN — the passage says Norway leads due to subsidies. High petrol-car taxes are not mentioned, even though you may know it's true in real life.

5. FALSE — "All countries" + "the same level" is absolute and contradicts B, which says "Governments worldwide offer incentives such as tax credits" (variation implied) plus Norway has "generous" subsidies (suggesting others have less).

6. FALSE — "definitely" and "completely" are absolute. Passage says "could make up 60%" — possibility, not certainty, and 60% ≠ "completely".

Pair discussion

Which paraphrases did you spot? ("gaining popularity" = "rise", "challenges persist" = "obstacles"). Which absolute words tipped you off? (definitely, completely, all, the same).

Last 30 min

Timed Drill — Headings + True/False/Not Given

A tougher, exam-style passage that puts today's two skills together. First match a heading to each paragraph, then answer the True / False / Not Given statements. Start the timer, then hit Check answers for an instant score.

1:25 – 1:30

Wrap-Up & Homework

Write down 3 pairs of paraphrases you noticed today. We'll share them at the start of Day 3.

Tonight's homework

Read any article and identify 3 ideas that would be "Not Given" — things that are missing or assumed. Plus paraphrase pair-building. About 30 minutes.

Open homework →

Practice online (free)

A little extra self-study for this skill — each link opens in a new tab. These are free resources; some may ask you to create a free account.