IELTS Reading Task: Sentence Completion Questions

There are two types of sentence completion questions in the IELTS reading:

Type 1. Selection of possible answers.

Type 2. Without a choice of possible answers.

These questions require you to complete the end of a sentence. The questions appear in the same order as the information in the text. Type 2 questions 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. They’ll also tell you to use words from the reading passage.

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). Also, 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 mllion).

Try this examples below.

Type 1: Questions 1-3 Complete each of the following statements (Questions 1-3) with the best ending A-F from the box below. Write the appropiate letterts A-F on our answer sheet. 1.       Incorporating organic and inorganic. 2.       Spent mushroom compost. 3.       Adding potassium regularly.

Type 2: Questions 4-6 Complete the sentences below with words taken from the passage. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 4-6 on your answer sheet. 4.       Bulbs should be stored ………… . 5.       Seeds may deteriorate if exposed to ………… . 6.       Summer flowering annuals should not be planted until after …………. .

How to do the short answer questions:

-          Read the instructions carefully and quickly read. As you do this,

o   Underline the keywords.

o   Try to work out what information you need.

o   Think about the grammatical form.

-          Go back to the first sentence. Decide what information you need to complete it.

-          Find the place where the info should be in the text. Look out for synonyms and parallel expressions.

-          Make sure your sentences make sense both logically and grammatically.

-          Remember:

o   For the type 2, the answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more.

o   If you think you need more than three words your answer is probably incorrect.

Reference: How to Prepare for IELTS Writing. City University of Hongkong: English Language Center.