Which Paragraph Contains Traps in IELTS Reading: Keyword vs Function
Matching information · Location traps · May 2026
Which-paragraph-contains traps you when you pick the paragraph that mentions a keyword instead of the paragraph that fully carries the information. Examiners place the same root word in two paragraphs—one as a brief example, one as the main discussion. Fix by underlining the information in the question, scanning for function (definition, cause, contrast), and rejecting paragraphs where the idea is only a passing reference. See matching headings trap patterns for the same function-vs-topic logic.
Why keyword location fails
Matching information tests where an idea lives, not whether a word appears. Overlap with keyword highlighting blindness.
Three location traps that repeat
| Trap | What you do | Correct move |
|---|---|---|
| Mention trap | Pick first keyword hit | Ask: is the full claim developed here? |
| Example trap | Choose illustrative sentence | Reject if only an example line |
| Adjacent echo | Match neighbouring paragraph | Compare border paragraphs before locking |
Training protocol
1. Information underline
Rewrite the question stem in six words max.
2. Paragraph skim
First + last sentence per paragraph—tag function.
3. Proof sentence
One sentence must carry the whole claim.
4. Cross-off letters
Mark used paragraph letters immediately.
Key takeaways
- Location questions test paragraph function, not keyword hits.
- Example sentences are deliberate distractors.
- Cross off used letters—reuse errors cascade.
- Train with trap recognition speed.
FAQ
Match information by paragraph job—not keyword luck.
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