4-1 Matching sentence endings questions

What does this type of question look like?

Questions 8 – 10

Complete each sentence with the correct ending A­-J from the box below.
Write the correct letter A-­J in boxes 8-­10 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

8. Passive smoking
   1. (E). Passive smoking is more harmful to non-smokers than to smokers.
9. Compared with a non-smoker, a smoker
   1. (D). Compared with a non-smoker, a smoker is more likely to be at risk from passive smoking diseases.
10. The American Medical Association
    1. (H). The American Medical Association opposes smoking and publishes research on the subject.

1. includes reviews of studies in its reports.
2. argues for stronger action against smoking in public places.
3. is one of the two most preventable causes of death.
4. is more likely to be at risk from passive smoking diseases.
5. is more harmful to non­-smokers than to smokers.
6. is less likely to be at risk of contracting lung cancer.
7. is more likely to be at risk of contracting various cancers.
8. opposes smoking and publishes research on the subject.
9. is just as harmful to smokers as it is to non-­smokers.
10. reduces the quantity of blood flowing around the body.

Activity

Which is more important, the sentence beginning or the sentence ending? Discuss this with your partner or group.

What do I have to write in the answer sheet?

You will write the letter of the sentence ending which correctly completes the sentence. There will be more options than sentences.

What am I being tested on?

This type of question tests your ability to understand the main ideas in the text.

How should I approach this question?

• Spend more time on the first question. Each time you answer a question you reduce the number of endings left in the box, so later questions are easier as you have fewer options.
• The information will appear in the text in the same order as the questions.
• When reading the question, concentrate on the sentence beginning. These will definitely appear in the text, whereas only some of the sentence endings will. Don’t waste time reading through endings that won’t be in the text.
• Identify the key words in the sentence beginnings and think of possible synonyms. For example, in 9, how many other ways can ‘compared with’ be expressed?
• Skim through the passage and scan for keywords or their synonyms. Once you have found them read very carefully. Think about meaning, not just matching information. For example, in ending H we are told that a person or organisation ‘publishes research on the subject’. You may find reference in the text to an organisation that does this but is in favour of smoking. This would be wrong as the ending says ‘opposes’. Watch out for traps like this.
• Pay attention to grammar. This can be very helpful. For example, endings B and H begin with verbs that require an agent as subject, someone or some organisation that can ‘argue’ or ‘oppose’. Who or what do you think that is? Now check the text to see if you are correct.