TIPPS & TRICKSPeople Matching

  • 5 people
  • 8 short texts
  • 3 texts left over
  • 1 mark each
  • About 10 minutes

This is Part 2 of the B1 Reading paper: descriptions of five people and eight short texts about things like courses, books, trips or places to eat. You match each person to the one text that suits them best.

Each person has several needs, and the right text must meet all of them. Three texts aren't used, and they're usually written to match some of someone's needs but not every one.

List every need

Underline each requirement in a description: 'complete beginner', 'Saturday mornings', 'outdoors', 'not expensive'. People usually have three or four, and your text has to tick every one, not just the most obvious.

Nearly right means wrong

The leftover texts are built to almost fit. A course might run on Saturday but in the afternoon, or take place outdoors but only for experienced people. When a text matches most needs, look for the one detail that rules it out.

Match ideas, not words

A text that repeats a word from the description isn't necessarily the answer. The right text usually expresses the need differently: 'no experience needed' for 'complete beginner', 'won't cost much' for 'cheap'. Compare meanings, not vocabulary.

Conditions decide the match

Small phrases like 'only', 'except', 'not suitable for', 'you'll need your own' and specific dates or times often decide the answer. Read these parts slowly: one condition can turn a promising text into the wrong one.

When two texts seem right

If two texts seem to suit a person, go back to the description and check each need against both. Only one meets them all. Starting with the person you're surest about helps, because each text is the answer for one person at most.

Strategy

  1. 1Start with the five people, marking every need in each description.
  2. 2Skim the eight texts to get a quick idea of what each one offers.
  3. 3Take one person at a time and find the texts that meet their first need, then test the others.
  4. 4Choose the text that meets every need, and underline the words that prove each one.
  5. 5Set aside each text you've used, since it can't be the answer for anyone else.
  6. 6If two texts compete, reread both against the description until one detail rules one out.
  7. 7Check the three leftover texts to make sure none of them suits anyone better.
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