Listening – Session 4 – Information-Matching Questions (IMQ)

In IMQs, there are two different parts of information, and you are required to match one part (the question) with another (a list of information) based on the details you hear in the recording.

Tips

• There is a set of fixed information, either on the list or in the questions. It could be names of people, names of places, opinions, studies, elements, etc. Fixed information is not changed between the questions and the recording. (No synonyms)
• To solve the questions, you need to use either details from the recording or the summary of what is said in the recording.
• There is one question in the instruction. If the question asks for information about a person, the correct information must be confirmed in the recording by that person. For example, in the example on the right above, the correct answers must be confirmed by both speakers.
• Answers to the questions are in sequential order in the recording, but the order of the list might not stay the same.
• Synonyms of common words are expected.
• The best way to start practicing for these questions is by taking notes.

Step-by-step strategy (with notetaking) – Recommended if you just started practicing

Step 1: Carefully read the set of fixed information and other information

• Spend more time on the fixed information.
• Take notes about the fixed information on a draft or directly on the question papers.

Step 2: Follow the flow of information and take notes

• Take notes of information that is related to the fixed information.
• If the fixed information is in the questions, the answers are in a sequence, from the beginning to the end of the recording.
• Ignore the missed information.

Step 3: Answer the questions using the notes

• Match information using the notes.
• Go as the flow of the fixed information.

Step-by-step strategy (without notetaking)

Step 1: Carefully read the set of fixed information and other information

• Spend more time on the fixed information.

Step 2: Follow the flow of fixed information and answer the questions

• Focus mainly on the fixed information because it stays the same or almost the same in both the recording and the question paper.
• Match the information according to the recording.
• Ignore missed information.