Sentence completion in IELTS Listening: Definition, Tips, Techniques, Strategies, Common Mistakes, and Solutions
What Are Blanks in IELTS Listening sentence completion?
Blanks in the IELTS Listening test refer to the missing words or numbers in a given questions that test-takers need to fill in based on the audio they hear. These blanks can be part of form completion, note completion, table completion, summary completion, or sentence completion tasks.
Here are some examples of sentence completion type of blanks.
1). The new library will be open from ___________ to ___________ every day.
2). The conference will take place on ___________ at the downtown convention center.
3). To apply for the scholarship, students must submit their forms by ___________.
4). The company's customer service line is available from ___________ to ___________ on weekdays.
5). The flight to Sydney is scheduled to depart at ___________ from Gate ___________.
In the IELTS Listening test, filling in blanks correctly is crucial, as it tests your ability to understand key information and answer it accurately.
Why Are Blanks Needed in IELTS Listening Exam?
The IELTS Listening test is designed to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend spoken English in different contexts. Blanks are included to test active listening, attention to detail, and vocabulary knowledge.
Reasons for Using Blanks:
Tests Key Details: Listening blanks evaluate whether a candidate can grasp essential pieces of information (noun, verb, adjective and number).
Enhances Note-Taking Skills: Many academic and professional settings require taking notes while listening, which is a crucial skill tested in the IELTS Listening test.
Strategies, Techniques, and Tips for Blanks in IELTS Listening
To excel in IELTS Listening fill in the blanks, one must adopt effective strategies and practical techniques.
1. Read the Instructions Carefully
Check Word Limit: Some blanks require one word only, while others may allow up to two or three words or number/numbers.
2. Predict the Type of Answer
Before the recording starts, use 30-40 seconds to read the blanks carefully and try to predict what kind of word fits (e.g., a noun, verb, number, adverb or adjective).
Examples:
1). The price of the ticket is ________. (The answer will likely be a number.)
2). The meeting is scheduled for ________ at the main conference hall. (The answer will likely be a time or date.)
3). The apartment rent includes ________ and water bills. (The answer will likely be utilities like electricity or gas.)
3. Listen for Synonyms and Paraphrases
The words in the recording may not match exactly with the words in the question since they are paraphrased using synonyms and restructuring of sentences.
Example:
1). If the blank is The main advantage of the program is _______, the recording might say The key benefit of the course is….
4. Identify Keywords Before Listening
Underline important words that are likely to appear in the recording because this will help you to stay aligned with audio.
Example: The lecture will be held in ___________ (Here, "lecture" and "held" are keywords.)
5. Practice Different Accents
IELTS Listening uses British, American, Australian, and Canadian accents etcetera.Use listening IELTS practice exercises to familiarize yourself with different pronunciations.
6. Don’t Leave a Blank
Even if you're unsure, make an educated guess. A partially correct answer is better than leaving the space empty.
7. Pay Attention to Spelling and Grammar
Incorrect spelling means no marks.
If the blank requires a plural noun, writing a singular noun is incorrect.
8. Utilize Your Time Wisely
The time to read the questions before each recording is played must be utilized carefully to skim the questions to become familiar with the context of the audio.
You have 10 minutes at the end of the IELTS Listening test to transfer answers to the answer sheet.Use this time to double-check spelling and grammar.
Common Mistakes in IELTS Listening Fill in the Blanks
Even well-prepared students make common mistakes while attempting IELTS Listening fill in the blanks practice. Here are some frequent errors:
1. Ignoring Word Limits
Some students write more words than allowed, leading to an incorrect answer.
Example: If the instruction says ONE WORD ONLY, writing "high-speed train" instead of "train" is incorrect.
2. Mishearing Similar-Sounding Words
Candidates often confuse words such as "fifteen" and "fifty", or "three" and "tree".
3. Incorrect Spelling
Writing "recieve" instead of "receive" results in zero marks.
4. Failure to Recognize Paraphrasing
If the recording says, The cost has been reduced to 50 dollars, but the question asks for The new price is _______, students might struggle if they expect an exact word match.
5. Distracted by Extra Information
IELTS recordings often include distractors, where one answer is mentioned but later corrected.
Example: "The event was initially scheduled for Monday, but now it will take place on Wednesday." (the students often writing the first answer they hear and don not pay attention to the rest of the information.)
Solutions to Eliminate These Mistakes
1. Regular Listening IELTS Practice
The best way to improve is to practice IELTS Listening sentence completion tasks daily.Use IELTS new listening test materials from official sources like Cambridge IELTS books.
2. Improve Spelling and Vocabulary
Create a word bank of commonly misspelled words and rewrite them multiple times to improve spellings.
3. Train Your Ears for Different Accents
Listen to BBC News, TED Talks, and Australian radio to get familiar with various accents.Use subtitles initially, then practice without them.
4. Improve Recognition of Paraphrasing
Train yourself to identify synonyms and paraphrased versions of key phrases in the recordings.
Example:
1). If the question asks for The main advantage of the program is _______, the recording might say The key benefit of the course is....
Solution: Regularly practice paraphrasing sentences by rewriting them in different ways. Use official IELTS listening transcripts to compare how words are rephrased.
For that you must improve grammar and vocabulary.
5. Learn to Identify Distractors
Be cautious of words that are corrected in the recording.
Examples:
"The bus arrives at 10:15, however, the schedule has changed to 10:45." (The correct answer is 10:45.)
"The discount offer was earlier valid until Friday, but now it has been extended to Sunday." (The correct answer is Sunday.)
"The lecture will take place in Room B12… oh! no actually, it has been moved to B14." (The correct answer is B14.)
6. Revise and Review Answers
Use the 10-minute transfer time to check for mistakes.
Ensure all answers fit grammatically and contextually.
Conclusion
Mastering IELTS Listening fill in the blanks is essential for achieving a high band score. By following the strategies above, avoiding common mistakes, and implementing effective solutions, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Listening test. With regular listening IELTS practice, understanding different accents, and sharpening your note-taking skills, you'll be well-prepared to excel in the IELTS test. By applying these IELTS tips, you'll enhance your listening skills and boost your confidence for test day. Keep practicing, stay focused, and ace your IELTS Listening test!