Below are the answers with explanation for the reading lesson called “The History of Pasta”. This lesson was based on Matching Headings.
If you have not completed this lesson, please do so before looking at the answers. Click here: History of Pasta Reading Lesson
Tips:
- Matching Headings questions are not the same as Matching Paragraph Information questions. You are not looking for specific information in the paragraph, you are looking for a title that sums up the aims of the paragraph.
- Writing answers. In IELTS, the answer you write on your answer sheet should be the number only, for example vi or iii. You can also write them in capitals, for example VI or III. But you can’t write words and you can’t write E = VI. Remember this tip if you want to have your answer marked correct.
Answers to Matching Headings
The answers below are written in a way to take you step by step through logical thought to find the right answers.
- A = ?
- You would immediately notice that a few headings might be possible for this paragraph. Heading i) “A Theory Dismissed” seems a possible choice because the paragraph does show that the idea of pasta being Italian is challenged. Heading iii) “Is Pasta Really Italian” seems possible because this is all about whether pasta is Italian as presumed. Heading v) “The real origins of pasta” is not possible because no real origin is given. Heading vii) “The common belief of the origin of pasta” also seems possible. This leaves us with three possible headings. As a result, you should not decide the heading for paragraph A until you decide on the other paragraphs.
- You need to be logical and strategic. Tick the possible headings and do not make a choice. As you know there is more than one possible heading, you will decide later.
- If you don’t do this, you might choose the wrong heading for paragraph A which might cause you to choose wrong headings for the other paragraphs as well. This means you would lose more than one mark from this mistakes.
- So, for the answer to Paragraph A ……. keep reading.
- B = ??
- This paragraph is all about the popular theory of the origin of pasta. This popular idea is that Marco Polo brought noodles from China. This is not about any theory, but about the most common theory. Popular – common. Remember synonyms need to be understood from context.
- The answer to Paragraph B must be vii
- The common belief is specific with detail and it is specific about the origin and gives detail about the origin.
- The heading ii) “Marco Polo in China” is wrong because this isn’t just about him being in China – it isn’t about his travels and experiences in China. It is specific about the common belief that he brought pasta from China and that is the origin.
- The heading v) “China is the origin” is also wrong. The topic sentence is about a theory and the paragraph explains that the theory is about Marco Polo and the origin of pasta. The writer does not belief the origin is China. The final sentence provides only extra information about Chinese noodles which is actually unnecessary information for the theory being discussed.
- Remember this is not about matching words or finding information. Matching Headings are about the aims of the paragraphs.
- C = ??
- The topic sentence provides the main clue here. This is all about a theory with problems. You should immediately spot heading i) A Theory Dismissed.
- Every sentence after the topic sentence provides evidence of why the common belief about the origin (the main theory) is wrong.
- This means the answer to Paragraph C = i
- This also means the answer to Paragraph A is not i
- For Paragraph A, we are now only left with two choices.
- D = ??
- The key to this answer is about the aim of the paragraph, not about matching words or finding specific information.
- Heading vi) “How Arabs cooked pasta” – is this a possible heading?
- There is information in the paragraph about the method of cooking. It says Arabs boiled pasta. However, is this the main aim of the paragraph. Has the writer written this paragraph because they are focusing on cooking methods or they are slowly drawing your attention towards cooking methods? The answer is NO. Cooking methods are briefly mentioned to add interest. It is additional information, not an aim, not a focus and can’t be a heading. This is a typical way IELTS will test you. Can you understand the difference between extra information and an aim.
- The paragraph aim is to present a theory that holds water (this means is valid and seems to be proven) presented by food historians about the origin of pasta. The whole paragraph is aimed at introducing you to the “real origins of pasta” as shown by this theory that the writer is supporting.
- The answer to Paragraph D = v
- This means the answer to Paragraph A = iii
Answers summarised:
- iii
- vii
- i
- v
I hope you have found it useful to be taken step by step though logical thoughts to arrive at the answers. All the best, Liz
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Ye!! I got 4/4 couldn’t believe I did this! Thanks Liz, you are best in this.
Well done 🙂
Thank you Liz!
I ve got all answers correct!
I have got two correct answers A & C. Thank you for the elaborate explanation.
Thanks a lot Lizzy!
I scored 4/4
4/4 Thank you!
Huge thanks for such clear and educative explanation of the task!
I got 3/4
Messed up with d.. how arab cooked pasta.
Absolutely wonderful. You are the best trainer I have ever seen. Thanks alot.
I got 3/4,thanks Liz
Great explanation. Thank you very much.
2 correct (A & C).
I got all correct.
4/4
I got 0/4🙁..
This lesson isn’t about your score. It’s about what you learned. If you feel you have learned a lot from it, you have gained 🙂
Thanks Liz for your help, encouragement and support ☺️
Thank you so much for your great work!
Thanks so much for explaining in detail. I got 3/4
A and C are correct according to my ans.
I got 2 !!
Thanks for the detailed reading practice, Liz.
Thanks Liz.
I got 2/4 correct. I changed my answers for Nos 1 and 2 – which were correct and replaced them with incorrect answers. Had I not done that, then it would have been 4/4. I have graded myself honestly since it would have been the same thing I would have done at the real IELTS exam. I must learn to not change my answers!! And have more confidence in myself. lol
I find that my first instincts are usually correct 🙂
Wow very well explained, thanks. I got 1. Whew, I need more practice.
Thank you Super Liz.
It’s all coming together slowly.
Thank you very much, I got 2 right and have taken notes of the corrections made.
Thanks a lot Liz.
You are really great trainer I ve ever seen..only love….
Thanks 🙂
Thanks Liz.
I got it all wrong,I pray for wisdom to tackle this and matching paragraph informations well.Reading practice tests are very tricky.
God bless you liz
I got all the answers right!!!! 🙂💯
Thanks Liz for your superb way to illustrate in sequential manner
Yea..i got all..thanks for the explaination
Thanks Liz for explanation, it does make sense now!
Great 🙂
My answers were
a. vii
b. ii
c. i
d. v
2/4 very tricky, I absolutely loathe this part of the reading test 😵