Question type 4 of 9: Sentence completion questions in IELTS reading. On this page, we will look at the fourth of the 9 types of question used in the IELTS reading test – Sentence completion questions in IELTS reading.
What do I have to do for Sentence completion questions in IELTS reading?
There are two types of sentence completion question. In the first type, you need to find a word or words from the text to complete a sentence. In the type, you are given a list of possible endings and need to complete sentences by selecting the right ending. Here are examples of each type:
Type 1: Find a word or words.
Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
1. For local travel, ___ are generally more cost effective than larger operations.
Type 2: Match from a list of possible endings.
Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-G from the box below.
- being slightly unreliable due to the frequent incidence of delays.
- only available for travellers taking long journeys
- arranging ticketing is relatively uncomplicated.
- not always affordable.
- there are many discrete owners of railways in different parts of the country
- a comfortable though unstimulating experience
- prearranged outside Europe.
- not always easily identifiable.
4. Special rates on British rail passes are often only available if …
5. Despite fragmentation of ownership of the railways, …
What is this question type testing my ability to do?
Sentence completion questions are designed to test your ability to understand specific information shown in a passage.
What are the best steps for answering Sentence completion questions in IELTS reading?
The steps for this question differ depending on which type of sentence completion question you have.
Step 1 (both types) – Analyse: In the first step, you need to read the first part (that’s either the sentence with a gap or the unfinished statement, depending on which type of sentence completion question it is) very carefully.
Step 2 (both types) – Identify: Identify the keywords that will help you identify the correct area of the reading passage.
Step 3 (both types) – Locate: Using the keywords you have identified in Step 1 and 2, you now need to find the relevant section of the reading passage.
– Type 1: Find a word or words.
Step 4: Read the sentence with the gap again.
Step 5: Read the passage in detail to identify the answer.
– Type 2: Match from a list of possible endings.
Step 4: Read the first part of the sentence again and the list of possible options.
Step 5: Read the passage in detail to eliminate options that don’t suit.
Step 6: Select the option that is best supported.
What useful tips are there for this question type?
- TIP 1: For Type 1 questions (words from the text), you MUST stick to the word limit. If the instructions say NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS and you write three words, your answer is automatically wrong.
- TIP 2: Wrong spelling or typing will cost you a point
- TIP 3: For Type 1 questions (word from the text), the answer MUST be a word from the text.
- TIP 4: The answers comes in the order of the text (that is, you won’t find the answer to Question 2 above the answer to Question 1 in the reading passage).
Now practice!
Click the link in the table below to test your skills with Sentence completion questions in IELTS reading