IELTS READING

IELTS Reading: match the names

A. Tips from Simon:

One type of question asks you to "match the names with a statement". You will see a list
of people's names (often researchers or experts) and you have to match each name with a
statement about what he/she did or said.
Here's some advice for this type of question:
1. Find all of the names in the passage first. Scan the whole passage quickly (don't read it,
just search for the names) and underline all the names that the question asks you
about.
2. Remember that academic articles often only use surnames. For example, if one of the
names is Robert Smith, you might not see the first name 'Robert' in the passage. Just
look for the surname 'Smith'.
3. Do difficult questions last. If one name is mentioned 3 times in 3 different paragraphs, it
will be more difficult to match with a statement than a name that is only mentioned
once. Start with the name that is only mentioned once.
4. When you find a match, put a cross next to the statement; you will only use each
statement once.
5. As usual, look for "keywords" - words in the passage that are similar to words in the
question statements.

B. Practice exercises:

1. Read the following passage about the meaning of 'genius'.

A genius is a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality,
typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of an unprecedented leap of insight.
Various philosophers have proposed definitions of what genius is.
In the philosophy of David Hume, a genius is seen by others as a person disconnected from
society, who works remotely, away from the rest of the world. For Immanuel Kant, genius is the
ability to independently arrive at and understand concepts that would normally have to be taught
by another person. Arthur Schopenhauer defined a genius as someone in whom intellect
predominates over "will". According to Bertrand Russell, a genius possesses unique qualities and
talents that make him or her especially valuable to society.
Match each of the following statements to one of the philosophers below.

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Resources: ielts-simon.com Page 1
 IELTS READING

1. A genius is someone who does not require instruction.

2. We tend to regard geniuses as solitary figures.
3. A genius has the ability to make an exceptional contribution to society.
A) Hume
B) Kant
C) Schopenhauer
D) Russell
C. Correct answers from Simon:
Ex1:

1. B
does not require instruction = understand concepts that would normally have to be taught by
another person
2. A
solitary figures = disconnected from society, who works remotely, away from the rest of the
world
3. D
make an exceptional contribution to society = especially valuable to society

Collected by Ly Na Tran
Resources: ielts-simon.com Page 2