Matching headings: how do I choose a heading?
Choose the main idea of the whole paragraph, not a small detail.
2 min read · Updated 9/8/2026
The key idea
A heading must express the main job of the paragraph: does it explain a problem, give reasons, show a change, or assess a solution?
For each paragraph, first write a short idea in your own words. Then compare it with the headings in the list. The first sentence can help, but the main idea is not always found there alone.
A word appearing in both a heading and the text is not enough for a match.
See an example
Paragraph: Early electric cars had limited range and few charging points. New batteries now allow longer journeys, while charging networks have expanded. These changes have made the cars more practical for daily use.
Suitable heading: Improvements that make electric cars easier to use.
Weak heading: The price of electricity.
Although electricity is related to the topic, the paragraph does not talk about price.
Now you try
Paragraph: The new library has quiet rooms, shared desks and spaces for group discussion. Visitors can choose an area according to the kind of work they need to do.
A. Why libraries are becoming more expensive B. Spaces for different ways of working C. The history of library furniture
Choose the most suitable heading.
A personal draft. It is not saved when you leave or automatically graded.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
B — the whole paragraph describes places suited to different ways of working.
There is no information about cost for A or about history for C. The desks are a detail; the main idea is not the history of furniture. If your own summary was “different places for different kinds of work”, you have found the right link in meaning.
What should I check when filling a gap?
Official sources for this topic
IELTS · Reading