IELTS Listening Preparation (Part 3)

The Question Types 3. Sentence completion.

These questions require you to complete the end of a sentence or insert a word or phrase in the middle of a sentence or one sentence may require a word in the middle and a word at the end. The sentences may be in a table.

They are similar to the short answer questions in that they will always tell you to write your answers in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you can answer with one word, two words or three words but no more.

As with short answer questions: Also note that the answers should not require a hyphenated word (e.g. non-smoking) or a contraction (e.g. They’ve).

If the answer requires a number, you can write it as a numeral (e.g. 6) or a word (e.g. six) or a combination of a numeral and a word (e.g. 6 million).

Look at the example below.

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

1. Both Hong Kong and Japan have …………………… .
2. There are more ………. ………….. visiting Japan.
3. Tourists are interested in …………………. and ………………………. .

How to answer sentence completion questions:

  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Read the sentences carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this,
    •  Underline the key words.
    •  Try to work out what you are going to hear.
    •  Decide what you need to listen out for.
    •  Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
    •  If the sentences are part of a table, check whether they are horizontal or vertical.
  • Listen to the introduction given carefully.
  • Answer the questions as you listen. The information will be given in the same order as the questions, although it may be expressed differently. You may use your own words.
  • Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct.
  • Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.
     

The Question Types 4. Notes/ table/ form/ summary/ flow chart/ diagram completion questions.

These questions ask for specific information. There are two types of these completion questions in the IELTS exam.

        Type 1- With a selection of possible answers.
        Type 2- Without a choice of possible answers.

These questions require you to:
     - insert a word or phrase in the middle of a sentence.
     - insert a word in the middle and another word at the end of a sentence.
     - write words or phrases that are not in sentences.
     - write a letter that represents a word or phrase.

Type 2 questions are similar to the short answer questions in that they will tell you to write your answers in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you can answer with one word, two words or three words but no more.

As with short answer questions also note that the answers should not require a hyphenated word (e.g. non-smoker) or a contraction (e.g. They’ve). If the answer requires a number, you can write it as a numeral (e.g. 6) or a word (e.g. six) or a combination (e.g. 6 million). Look at the examples below.

Complete the table below using the words from the box. Write the appropriate letters A-G against Questions

(Type 1)

Breed                                        Facts
Pug                                          (1) ………..
Scottish Terrier                          (2) ………..
Shih Tzu                                   (3) ………..
Great Dane                               (4) ………..
Greyhound                                (5) ………..

 A  watchdog in Chinese imperial courts
 B  bred to chase foxes
 C  status symbol
 D  police dog
 E  bred to guard sheep
 F  appealed to Victorians
 G  came from the Middle East

(Type 2)

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.

SOUTH DOWNS DOG SHOW

Date: (6) …………………………….
Time: (7) ……………to……………
Place: (8) ……………………………

How to do these completion questions-

  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Look at the table or form etc carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this,
    • Examine any headings or subheadings.
    • Try to work out what you are going to hear.
    • Decide what you need to listen out for.
    • Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
    • If a box of answers is given, see if you can guess any of the matches & eliminate unlikely answers.
  • Listen to the introduction given carefully.
  • Answer the questions as you listen.
  • Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.

 Remember:
--  If there is a box of answers, there will be at least two you don’t need.
--  If there is no box, the answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more.
--  If you think you need more than three words your answer is probably incorrect.
--  There may be alternative rubrics for these completion questions e.g. ‘complete the notice’ or ‘complete the explanation’ or ‘complete the news report’. 

 The Question Types 5. Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts The questions.

You will be given a diagram and asked to label it with labels given in the listening text. You will usually be given a box of words or phrases from which to select the labels.
 

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