一、重要性
搭配题是选择题的一种变形。在雅思听力中，搭配题所占的比例并不大，也不是每一次考试都考到，但是考的时候一定是连续的4题以上，最多的是连续7题。曾经在2010年1月9日的考试中有2个section都考到了这种题型，也就是一共有11题。总的来看搭配题所占比例为6.4%，也就是平均考2.5题(40题中)左右。这种题型是希望拿高分的同学必不可少的一关。
二、难点及应对
·阅读速度
既然搭配题是选择题的一种变题，第一个难点自然和选择题类似。对于如何在有限的考试时间看明白大量的信息，是所有考生在考雅思听力所必须面临的一道难关。
如剑6 Test 1 Section 2
Questions 11-16
What change has been made to each part of the theatre?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to questions 11-16.
RIVENDEN CITY THEATRE
A doubled in number
B given separate entrance
C reduced in number
D increased in size
E replaced
F strengthened
G temporarily closed
Part of the theatre
11 box office ………………………..
12 shop ………………………..
13 ordinary seats ………………………..
14 seats for wheelchair users ………………………..
15 lifts ………………………..
16 dressing rooms ………………………..
通过这道题，我们发现一共6道搭配题，总共需要阅读字数不过才30多个字，许多人就会有疑问了，这些怎么可能看不完呢?这里我们要注意：对于搭配题的最大难度不是在能不能看完这些信息，而是如何能够找到这些信息的关键点，以及内部联系。因此，建议考生在审题的时候一定要仔细阅读选项，并且如果可能的话将选项进行适度的解释，也就是在选项旁标注中文或者符号，这个步骤我称之为：译。如这边选项中的7个选项分别为：2倍、分开的入口、数字减少、空间扩大、替换、加固、临时关门。
再如剑7 Test 1 Section 2
Questions 17-20
What does the speaker say about the following items?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to questions 17-20. A They are provided in all tents.
B They are found in central areas of the campsite.
C They are available on request.
17 barbecues ………………………..
18 toys ………………………..
19 cool boxes ………………………..
20 mops and buckets ………………………..
此题选项较少，因此对于阅读速度要求并不是很高，但是分析清楚选项，我们会发现三个选项的重点为：在帐篷内、在中间、按要求。
·语速
搭配题的语速往往较快，并且每题的答案出现的位置较近，因此很有可能在听力的过程中听漏信息。提醒考生在平时的练习中应该刻意去练习对于语速较快的内容的把握。值得我们注意的是在搭配题中，题干信息往往并不是很多，并且会在听力材料中读出来。
如剑7 Test 1 Section 2的文字答案：
When it comes to our tents, these are equipped to the highest standard. We really do think of every essential detail. From an oven and cooking rings fuelled by bottled gas, to mirrors in the bedroom areas. If you don't want to cook indoors, you can borrow a barbecue if you ask in advance for one to be made available, and there's even a picnic blanket to sit on outside your tent. Inside, a box of games and toys can be found, and children's tents can be hired if required. All tents have a fridge, and if you want to spend the day on the beach, for example, ask for a specially designed PS Camping cool box, which will keep your food and drinks chilled. There are excellent washing facilities at all our sites, with washing machines and clothes lines in the central areas, along with mops and buckets in case your tent needs cleaning during your stay. All sites have a cafe and/or a shop for those who'd rather ‘eat in’ than dine at a local restaurant.
这里每一个答案之间的间隔很小，在听力过程中很有可能会听漏而导致失分。这边需要把握住的就是题干信息，通过这题我们可以很清楚的发现，题干信息基本上都是名词的内容，而在文字答案中这些信息并没有任何的变动。这步我称之为：定。
·同义词互换
当能够合理的定位到信息点后，同义词互换就是我们最终需要去找到的信息。
如剑6 Test 1 Section 2 13-15的文字答案：
... Yes, we've increased the leg-room between the rows. This means that there are now fewer seats but we've sure audience will be much happier. And we've installed air conditioning, so it won't get so hot and stuffy. We already ha a few seats which were suitable for wheelchair users, and now there are twice as many, which we hop will meet demand. Something else that will benefit audiences is the new lifts. The two we used to have were very small and slow. They've now gone, and we've got much more efficient ones. ...
和上面一篇一样这边的几个定位词——seats, wheelchair和lift不难找到。通过这几个词语我们也能顺理成章的找到答案词语——fewer, twice, gone，通过同义词互换答案也很快出来了，分别是——数字减少C，2倍A和替换E。
我们再看到一个例子：
剑5 Test 4 Section 4
Questions 37-40
Which section of the university will help postgraduate students with their dissertations in the following ways?
A the postgraduate’s own department or tutor
B library staff
C another section of the university
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to questions 37-40.
37 training in specialized computer programs ………………………..
38 advising on bibliography presentation ………………………..
39 checking the draft of the dissertation ………………………..
40 providing language support ………………………..
Tapescripts
Some of you may be interested to know that the library is offering specialised training sessions on writing a dissertation. Obviously this is not relevant to those of you who are undergraduates; it is just for postgraduates. Your department will discuss the planning stage of the dissertation - i.e. what you're going to do - with you and we will focus on the structure of it. However, the training will also include some time on the computers. I realise most of you know how to organise files but we can show you the different ways to run data programmes. Your tutors will tell you at the outset how to set out the chapters they require but you will need to ask them how they would like you to organise the bibliography because it varies depending on your subject area. When you've got something together the trainer here will took through the draft version for you to see if it's OK. And, one final point, for those of you who have registered from abroad, we can offer individual sessions on dissertations if you feel you need them. If you require language lessons then they are available from the International Centre next to the Law Department.
这个题目审题并不是很困难，首先3个选项译为：导师，图书馆员工和其他。4道题的定位点并不难，但是由于文中将library staff同义转换为trainer/training，而且语速也非常快，导致在听到此题的时候，很难把握信息。最终只好放弃。
总的来说，搭配题在考试里面算是比较难的一种类型，由于语速以及陷阱比较隐蔽，导致丢分很多。因此，建议考生在做这种题目的时候要做好译(选项的翻译)，定(题干的定位)和换(听力时的同意互换)，做对这些难题也不是不可能。