FCE Reading Part 7: multiple matching made simple
FCE Reading Part 7 is a multiple matching task: one text divided into sections, or several short texts, with 10 questions. For each question you find the section that contains the information, and each correct answer is worth 1 mark. It is part of our Reading and Use of English guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What Part 7 tests
Part 7 is the last part of the paper. You read either one text divided into sections or several short texts, usually by different people on a shared topic. There are 10 questions, each one a statement or a short description such as Which person says a child helped them? You decide which section (A, B, C and so on) contains that information. Each section can be the answer to more than one question. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark.
Part 7 tests your ability to find specific information and detail quickly, and to recognise the same idea expressed in different words. The questions almost never use the same words as the text. For example, a question might say someone admits they made a poor decision, while the text says looking back, it wasn't my smartest move.
This is very different from Part 5, where you read one text carefully from start to finish. In Part 7 you scan, search and compare. Some students like to do it first because it feels like a puzzle. The paraphrase work you do here also helps in Part 6 gapped text, and in the Listening paper too.
Strategy, step by step
- 1
Read the questions first
Spend a minute reading all 10 questions. Underline the key idea in each one, not just the key word: regrets, was surprised, changed their mind.
- 2
Read one section at a time
Read section A carefully. Then go through the questions and ask: does A say any of these? Mark possible matches in pencil. Repeat with B, C and D. This is usually faster than reading all the texts for each question.
- 3
Look for meaning, not words
Expect paraphrase. If a question says found it hard to make friends, the text may say I spent most evenings on my own.
- 4
Watch for similar ideas in two sections
Often two sections mention the same topic, but only one matches the question exactly. Check details: did the person do it, or only plan to? Was it positive or negative?
- 5
Fill every answer
If you are running out of time, guess the remaining questions. There are only a few options per question, and wrong answers lose nothing.
Common traps
Trap: Matching a question to a section just because they share a word, e.g. family in both.
Fix: Check that the whole idea matches. The section may mention family for a different reason.
Trap: Missing negative or contrasting meaning: the question says was disappointed, and the text says I'd expected to be disappointed, but...
Fix: Read the full sentence and the one after. Words like but, actually and in fact often reverse the meaning.
Trap: Reading every section in full for every question.
Fix: This wastes a lot of time. Read section by section and match several questions at once, or scan for the area of the text that deals with the idea.
Trap: Assuming each section is used the same number of times.
Fix: Some sections can be the answer to three or four questions, others to only one. Don't reject an answer because you've used that letter already.
Worked example: an original Part 7 task
The task
Four people talk about learning a language abroad. For questions 1–5, choose from the people (A–D).
A I spent a term in Valencia. The classes were fine, but what really helped was the part-time job I found in a bakery. Customers had no patience for my mistakes, which was terrifying at first and incredibly useful later.
B My exchange in Kraków was a shock. I'd studied Polish grammar for two years, yet I couldn't follow a single conversation in the first week. It was my host family's youngest son, who insisted on playing board games with me every evening, who finally got me talking.
C Before I went to Lyon, I promised myself: no English at all. I broke that promise on the second day. Looking back, the rule was unrealistic, and I'd advise anyone going abroad to be kinder to themselves.
D In Bologna I mostly spent time with other international students, which I now regret. We all spoke English together. My advice? Join a local club, any club, from the first week.
Which person... 1. wishes they had chosen different company? 2. was helped by a child? 3. found that unfriendly reactions were eventually beneficial? 4. set themselves a target that was too strict? 5. was surprised that their earlier study hadn't prepared them well?
- 1.
Question 1: Chosen different company = spent time with other international students, which I now regret. Answer: D.
- 2.
Question 2: A child = my host family's youngest son. Answer: B. Notice that the question doesn't say boy or son, so you need to recognise the paraphrase.
- 3.
Question 3: Unfriendly reactions = customers had no patience for my mistakes; eventually beneficial = incredibly useful later. Answer: A.
- 4.
Question 4: A target that was too strict = no English at all... the rule was unrealistic. Person D also talks about speaking English, which makes D a distractor, but D didn't set a rule. Answer: C.
- 5.
Question 5: Earlier study = I'd studied Polish grammar for two years; surprised = was a shock; hadn't prepared them = couldn't follow a single conversation. Answer: B. Person B is used twice, which is normal in Part 7.
Answer
1 D · 2 B · 3 A · 4 C · 5 B
How to prepare for Part 7
Practise paraphrasing. When you read a short article, write one-sentence summaries of each paragraph without using any words from the paragraph. This trains exactly the skill Part 7 rewards.
Collect pairs of expressions with similar meanings: I had second thoughts = I wasn't sure any more; it paid off = it was worth it; I couldn't make head or tail of it = I didn't understand. Our phrasal verbs list is a good source, because many paraphrases use phrasal verbs.
Then try a full set with our free Reading Part 7 practice.
Practice · Reading & Use of English Part 7
Practise FCE Reading Part 7
FCE Reading Part 7: FAQ
How many questions are in FCE Reading Part 7?
There are 10 questions, each worth 1 mark. Part 7 counts towards your Reading score.
Can I use the same section more than once?
Yes. Each section can be the answer to several questions, and some sections may be used more often than others.
Should I do Part 7 first?
Some students like to, because it is a search task and builds confidence. Others prefer to do the paper in order. Try both in practice and see which gives you a better score.
How long should I spend on Part 7?
We suggest about 12 minutes. This is our advice, not an exam rule.
Why are Part 7 questions so hard to match?
Because the questions paraphrase the text. Look for the same meaning expressed in different words, and check details like time, attitude and negatives.