IELTS Listening · Lesson 7 of 13
Sentence completion
Complete sentences with words from the recording. The answer must fit the grammar and meaning of the sentence, and stay within the word limit.
In this lesson you will
- check that every answer follows the word limit
- use grammar, collocation and meaning to predict the missing words
- think of paraphrases you might hear
- complete sentences about a Part 3 conversation
The question type
What is sentence completion?
You read sentences that summarise key information from the recording and complete a gap in each one. The answer must fit both the structure (grammar) and the content (meaning) of the sentence, so read the words before and after the gap carefully. The words in the question are usually paraphrased, but the answer is the exact word you hear.
Follow the instructions
Which underlined answers would get the mark?
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
- a) She had classes every Tuesday morning in the first semester.
- b) She had classes every Tuesday in the first semester.
- c) She had classes Tuesday mornings in the first semester.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- a) He had 5 tutorials each term.
- b) He had five tutorials each term.
- c) He had 5 personal tutorials each term.
Every Tuesday morning is three words. Five written as a word counts as a word, so five tutorials is two words. 5 personal tutorials is a number and two words.
Before you listen
Use the preparation time
Questions 27–30. Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Studying with the Open University demanded a great deal of 27 …… .
Studying and working at the same time improved Rachel's 28 …… skills.
It was helpful that the course was structured in 29 …… .
She enjoyed meeting other students at 30 …… .
Understand the context
Read the introduction: Two friends, Rachel and Paul, are discussing studying with the Open University. Rachel has already done a course there, but Paul has not. True or false?
- 1 You will hear a conversation between two people.
- 2 They are both students at the Open University.
- 3 Rachel knows more about the Open University than Paul.
- 4 There are four questions to answer.
- 5 You can write both words and numbers.
- 6 Grammar is not important for this type of question.
5 The instructions say two words only, with no number. 6 It is a sentence, so the completed sentence must be grammatically correct. 3 also tells you that Rachel will probably give the answers.
Structure: grammar and collocation
- In sentence 27, demand means…
- Which word can NOT follow a great deal of…?
- Which is NOT a strong collocation with skills?
- Which is a strong collocation? A course can be structured in…
A great deal of is only used with uncountable nouns, so answer 27 will be uncountable (like money or patience, not books). Answer 29 will probably be a plural noun for parts of a course (like terms or semesters).
Content: paraphrases you might hear
The speakers won't use the words in the sentences. Match each sentence to a paraphrase.
- 27 …demanded a great deal of ……
- 28 …improved Rachel's …… skills.
- 29 …was structured in ……
- 30 She enjoyed meeting other students at ……
Studying with the Open University
Two friends, Rachel and Paul, are discussing studying with the Open University. Rachel has already done a course there, but Paul has not.
Official sample recording. You can also use the computer voice below.
Transcript (check it after you answer)
PaulThe other thing I wanted to ask you was: did you find it hard, studying with the Open University?
RachelYou mean, because you're studying on your own most of the time?
PaulMm.
RachelWell, it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain a high level of motivation, because it's so different from school. There's no one saying, Why haven't you written your assignment yet?, and that sort of thing.
PaulOh dear.
RachelYou'll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at time management, because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
PaulWell, I'm hoping to change to working part-time, so that'll help.
RachelWhat makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you can take time off between them if you need to. It isn't like a traditional three- or four-year course, where you've got to do the whole thing in one go.
PaulThat's good, because I'd like to spend six months travelling next year.
RachelHuh, it's all right for some. Then, even though you're mostly studying at home, remember you've got tutors to help you, and from time to time there are summer schools. They usually last a week. They're great, because you meet all the other people struggling with the same things as you. I've made some really good friends that way.
PaulSounds good. So how do I apply?
Questions 27–30
Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
- Studying with the Open University demanded a great deal of
- Studying and working at the same time improved Rachel's skills.
- It was helpful that the course was structured in
- She enjoyed meeting other students at
- 27 motivation “I found I needed to maintain a high level of motivation”
- 28 time management “I got very good at time management because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job”
- 29 modules “What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules”
- 30 summer schools “there are summer schools… They're great, because you meet all the other people…”
The underlined words are the paraphrases of the sentences. Each answer is exactly what Rachel says.
Strategy
A strategy for sentence completion
Match each step with the extra information
- 1 Check the instructions.
- 2 Identify the key words in each question.
- 3 Look at the gap and decide what type of word is missing.
- 4 Listen carefully.
- 5 Write down the answer.
- 6 Check your answers.
You can check your answers in the time at the end of each part. On paper you also have 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer and check your answers; on computer you have 2 minutes.
Activities adapted from Cambridge English IELTS teaching activities (© UCLES 2009) and British Council IELTS teaching materials.