How to do Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening

Summary Completion and Table Completion are relatively difficult questions in the IELTS Listening test. To perform well in these two question types, candidates must have a solid understanding of the IELTS test content. Therefore, to support students in achieving high scores, PREP would like to share 5 basic steps to tackle the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening. Let's take a look!

I. What is the Summary Completion in IELTS Listening?

Summary Completion in IELTS Listening is a question type that requires candidates to fill in the blanks to complete a given sentence or summary. Summary Completion frequently appears in the actual test and can be found in all parts of the IELTS Listening test.

Refer to the example below to have a clear understanding of the Summary Completion question type in IELTS Listening, Preppies:

II. What is the Table Completion question type in IELTS Listening?

Table Completion in IELTS Listening requires candidates to listen and fill in the blanks to complete a table of information. Typically, the table in IELTS Listening will have column headings or row headings to help candidates easily identify which information to look for. In this question type, candidates will often hear information in the table row by row, from top to bottom, or from left to right.

Table Completion in the IELTS Listening test is a variation of the Gap Filling question type and is also known as Sentence Completion. This question type is commonly found in Part 1 and Part 2 of the IELTS Listening test.

Refer to the example below to have a clear understanding of the Table Completion question type in IELTS Listening, Preppies:

Please refer to the following article:

• IELTS Listening Test Format & Tips to Achieve Maximum Score

III. How to approach Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening

Below are 5 suggested steps to quickly handle the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening, recommended by an A-grade teacher at PREP. Refer to these steps to effectively practice IELTS Listening at home!

1. Step 1: Read the question requirements carefully

The first step you need to take to excel in the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening is to read the question requirements and find the allowed word limits. Some common instructions include:

• Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
• Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
• Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
• Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
• Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

2. Step 2: Read the title/topic of the passage

The title of each summary paragraph indicates the topic being discussed and helps you grasp the content of the summary. Additionally, knowing the content and context through the title beforehand will help you identify when the speaker is discussing the section that needs an answer.

3. Step 3: Multitasking

To excel in the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening, in step 3, candidates need to combine multiple tasks, including Reading the question + highlighting keywords + predicting paraphrases of keywords + filling in the information for each blank.

The answers must be directly taken from the audio recording, and most of the time, you don't need to change the word forms. "Paraphrasing" the information in the question during the reading passage is also common to assess the candidate's listening comprehension. Therefore, you need to equip yourself with a wide range of synonymous words and common paraphrasing techniques.

Another important note is to pay attention to distractors (misleading information). Distractors in this question type are often found in the speaker's statements. Distractors usually contain correct or nearly correct information that you need to fill in, but then that information will be changed/corrected using words like however, but, apart from, except.

4. Step 4: Point at keywords while listening and fill in the answers

In the next step, use a pen or hover your mouse over the keywords while listening. Once you hear the answer, immediately write it down on the paper, making sure not to leave it blank.

5. Step 5: Check your answers

Check the spelling, grammar structure, and meaning of the words/ phrases accurately to avoid losing points.

IV. Practicing exercises on Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening

1. Audio and task

Listening file: Here

Task:

2. Exercise guidelines

To efficiently handle Table Completion exercises, please refer to and follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Read the requirements in the task to find the word limits allowed. In this task, you are only allowed to fill in a maximum of 2 words.
• Step 2: Read the title/topic of the passage. The title is about Tourist attractions in Manham. We will hear about tourist destinations. In this table, we will see 3 columns: location, activities, and some advice. We will receive information about 3 places: the copper mine, the village school, and "The George" old sailing ship.
• Step 3: Read the question + underline keywords + predict paraphrases of the keywords + fill in the information for each blank.
  • In question 16, you need to fill in a plural noun to refer to the miners' belongings. Specifically, it is a noun that indicates a means of transportation that can take visitors to the mountain. Paraphrase: Specially adapted = specially made.
  • In question 17, you need to fill in an adjective to describe the mine. We can think of words like dark, wet, and humid.
  • In question 18, you need to fill in a noun (exhibition displaying students' artworks, for example). The exhibition can be paraphrased as the display of something.
  • In question 19, you need to fill in a singular noun. Recommended can be paraphrased as suggested, or proposed.
  • In question 20, you need to fill in a noun indicating something that children are not allowed to use. Children shouldn't use can be heard as children are not allowed/permitted to.
• Step 4: Point at keywords while listening and fill in the answers.
• Step 5: Check the answers (spelling, grammar structure, and meaning).

3. Answers

• 16. Trains
• 17. Dark
• 18. Games
• 19. Guided tour
• 20. Ladder/ladders

To learn more about the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening, please refer to PREP's IELTS learning program for comprehensive and efficient practice.

With the 5 steps that PREP has suggested, PREP hopes that you have enough "tools" to conquer the Summary Completion & Table Completion in IELTS Listening. Additionally, make sure to practice regularly with other question formats to achieve a high IELTS band score. Wish you good luck in your studies and exam preparation.