Reading · Unit 2: Common mistakes
R17: Which questions follow passage order, and which don't
Target band 6 to 6.5
This lesson is short, but it might save you more time than any other. Some question types follow the order of the passage. Some don't. If you know which is which, you'll know exactly where to look for every answer.
Why this matters
If a question type follows order, the answer to question 5 comes after question 4 and before question 6. You don't need to search the whole passage. You only search a small section. That's a huge time saver.
The order rules
| Follows passage order | Does NOT follow order |
|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Matching information (which paragraph...) |
| Yes / No / Not Given | Matching features (people, dates, places) |
| Multiple choice | Matching headings (headings are mixed, but paragraphs are in order) |
| Sentence completion | |
| Short-answer questions | |
| Matching sentence endings (usually) | |
| Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion (usually) |
How to use order: the sandwich method
When you can't find an answer, use the questions around it like slices of bread.
- You found question 3 in paragraph B.
- You found question 5 in paragraph D.
- So question 4 is between them: somewhere in paragraphs B, C or D.
Your search area is now much smaller.
Summary completion: usually one section
Summaries usually cover one part of the passage, not the whole thing. Find where the summary starts, using the first gap. Then the rest of the answers usually follow from there.
Matching information: do it last
Matching information questions don't follow order. You need to search the whole passage. So do them after the other questions on that passage. By then, you'll know the passage well, and you'll often remember where things are.
Matching headings: do it first or last?
Teachers disagree. My suggestion: if headings come first in the question list, try them early, because they help you understand each paragraph. If you get stuck, leave the hard ones and come back after other questions.
Try it yourself
You're doing a True/False/Not Given block, questions 1 to 6. You found:
- Q1 in paragraph A
- Q2 in paragraph B
- Q4 in paragraph D
Where should you look for Q3?
Show the answers
Between the end of Q2's sentence in paragraph B and the start of Q4's sentence in paragraph D. Most likely paragraph C.
Honest note
The word "usually" matters. Once in a while, a summary or a sentence ending might not follow order exactly. If the sandwich doesn't work, widen your search a little.
Your task today
In your next practice test, after you find each answer, write the paragraph letter next to it. Notice how the in-order types move steadily down the passage.