Matching Features Tutorial | Miah's Class Reading Platform

1

🎯 Understanding the Question Type

What is Matching Features?
You match statements with categories from a box. Categories are usually proper nouns: names of people, places, time periods, theories, or organizations. You must identify which category each statement belongs to.

🔍 What It Tests

Connecting ideas to sources
Identifying category markers
Scanning for names and dates
Understanding relationships
Distinguishing similar concepts

📊 Question Format

Box with 4-8 category options
List of statements to match
Categories may be used multiple times
Not all categories may be used
Usually organized alphabetically

⚡ Common Categories

Scientists and their discoveries
Historical periods and events
Companies and their products
Countries and their policies
Researchers and their findings

2

🛠️ Your 5-Step Strategy

1

Study the Category Box

Read all category names carefully. Memorize them if possible—there are usually only 4-8. These are your scanning targets.

⚡ Why: Names and proper nouns are easy to spot while scanning. Knowing what to look for dramatically speeds up your search.

2

Underline Keywords in Statements

For each statement, identify the key idea or action. What specific thing is being described? This is what you'll match to a category.

⚡ Why: Statements are paraphrased, but the core concept remains. Identifying it helps you know what to look for near each category name.

3

Scan for Category Names

Scan the passage looking for mentions of your category names. When you find one, slow down and read carefully around it.

⚡ Why: Information about categories is clustered near their mentions. Names rarely change, making them perfect scanning anchors.

4

Read Context Around Names

When you find a category name, read 2-3 sentences before and after. Look for ideas that match your statement keywords.

⚡ Why: The text near a name describes what that person/thing did or is associated with. This is where you'll find your matches.

5

Match and Cross-Reference

When you find a match, write it down immediately. If one category appears multiple times, check all occurrences—it may relate to multiple statements.

⚡ Why: Categories can be reused. Checking all mentions ensures you don't miss matches and helps you use process of elimination.

🎓 Pro Tips from High Scorers

Names are anchors: They rarely change, making them perfect for scanning.
Check all mentions: If "Dr. Smith" appears 3 times, check all 3 locations.
Watch for verbs: "developed," "discovered," "proposed"—these signal contributions.
Use elimination: If 5 categories exist but only 4 questions, one won't be used.
Time per question: 1 minute: This is one of the faster question types.

⚠️ Common Traps to Avoid

❌ The Similar-Name Trap
Confusing similar category names (e.g., "Johnson" vs. "Johnston").
Solution: Read names carefully. Write them down if needed.

❌ The First-Mention Trap
Choosing the first mention of a category name without checking later mentions.
Solution: A category might be mentioned 3-4 times with different associated information.

❌ The General-Statement Trap
Matching a vague statement to the wrong category because you didn't read carefully.
Solution: Ensure the specific detail matches, not just the general topic.

3

👨‍🏫 Let's Solve Together

📝 Practice Scenario

Categories:

A) Dr. Sarah Chen
B) Professor Mark Wilson
C) Dr. Rita Patel

Statement: Identified the link between sleep deprivation and memory formation

Recent neuroscience research has made significant advances in understanding cognitive processes. Dr. Sarah Chen's groundbreaking work focused on neural pathways involved in language acquisition. Meanwhile, Professor Mark Wilson conducted extensive studies that revealed how insufficient sleep directly impairs the brain's ability to consolidate memories. His findings have transformed sleep science.

🧠 My Expert Thinking Process

Step 1: Identify Statement Keywords
Keywords: "sleep deprivation" + "memory formation"
I'm looking for who studied this connection.

Step 2: Scan for Names
I see "Dr. Sarah Chen" and "Professor Mark Wilson" in the paragraph.

Step 3: Read Context
Chen → "language acquisition" (not about sleep/memory)
Wilson → "insufficient sleep directly impairs... consolidate memories" (MATCH!)

✅ Answer: B) Professor Mark Wilson
"Insufficient sleep" = "sleep deprivation"
"Consolidate memories" = "memory formation"

4

✍️ Your Turn (With Hints)

📝 Your Practice Question

Categories:

A) Germany
B) Japan
C) Sweden

Statement: Implemented a carbon tax to reduce emissions

Environmental policies vary significantly across nations. Germany has invested heavily in renewable energy infrastructure, becoming a leader in wind power generation. Sweden took a different approach by introducing a carbon tax in 1991, making fossil fuels more expensive and incentivizing cleaner alternatives. This policy has successfully reduced the country's carbon emissions by over 25% while maintaining economic growth.

I can see all three countries mentioned. Now I need to find which one matches "carbon tax."

Germany → "wind power generation"
Sweden → "introducing a carbon tax in 1991"
Which matches the statement?

✅ Answer: C) Sweden

Clear evidence: "Sweden... introducing a carbon tax in 1991"
Purpose: "reduce... carbon emissions" matches "reduce emissions"

5

🚀 Ready for Independent Practice?

📊 Self-Assessment: Are You Ready?

I can quickly scan for and identify proper nouns
I understand how to read context around category names
I can match paraphrased ideas to categories
I remember to check all mentions of a category
I use elimination when appropriate

Choose Your Practice Path

📘 Beginner Level

Clear categories, obvious matches

Sample 1: Scientists Sample 2: Countries

📙 Intermediate Level

More categories, subtle differences

Exercise 1: Researchers Exercise 2: Companies

📕 Advanced Level

Many categories, complex relationships

Exercise 3: Theories Exercise 4: Organizations

🎯 Start Practice Now

Matching Features Mastery