What sentence completion is
In sentence completion questions you get sentences with a gap and must fill the gap using words from the text (in Reading) or the recording (in Listening). The sentences usually summarise parts of the passage in different words. This article focuses on Reading. For the audio version, see IELTS Listening sentence completion strategies.
Task formats can change over time, so check the official IELTS organisers for current instructions and sample materials.
Read the instructions and word limit first
Always read the instructions before the sentences. They tell you how many words and/or numbers you may use. Exceeding the limit usually means the answer is marked wrong, even if it is correct in meaning. Whether hyphenated words, numbers and so on count as one or more words is something to check in the official guidance rather than guess.
Some versions of this task give a list of words to choose from. Then you choose from the list rather than writing words from the passage. Make sure you know which version you have.
A step-by-step method
- Read the sentence with the gap and decide what it is mostly about.
- Underline keywords such as names, dates, topics, unusual nouns. Common words like “is” or “the” make poor keywords.
- Predict the kind of word missing (noun, verb, adjective, number).
- Scan the passage for your keywords or their synonyms. Answers often follow the order of the passage, but check the instructions.
- Read around the location, then identify the exact words that fit the gap.
- Check grammar, spelling and word limit.
- Move on if you cannot find an answer quickly. Return later.
Predict the missing word
Look at the words before and after the gap.
- After “a” or “an”, you will probably need a singular noun or an adjective.
- After “the … of”, expect a noun.
- After “to”, you might need a base verb.
- Between “very” and a noun, an adjective is likely.
- If the sentence discusses amounts, think about numbers, units or percentages.
Prediction is not about guessing the exact word. It narrows your search and helps you check your answer.
Locate the answer: paraphrase
The question usually paraphrases the passage. You rarely find the exact same wording. Examples of paraphrase:
- rapid ~ fast, quick
- cause ~ lead to, result in
- decline ~ fall, drop
- the majority of ~ most
Search for any matching idea, not only identical words. Proper names, numbers and capitalised words are often the easiest anchors.
A worked example
This is original text and an original question.
Passage extract: Urban beekeeping has become popular in several cities. Hives placed on rooftops provide pollinators for nearby parks, though some residents worry about stings. Local councils have therefore introduced training for new keepers.
Question (maximum two words): Councils now offer ________ to people who start keeping bees.
- Keywords: councils, offer, start keeping bees.
- Prediction: a noun or noun phrase, since the sentence follows “offer”.
- Locate: “Local councils have therefore introduced training for new keepers.” “Introduced” is a paraphrase of “now offer”; “new keepers” paraphrases “people who start keeping bees”.
- Answer: training. It fits grammatically and meets the limit.
Also notice that “worry about stings” is nearby but doesn’t answer the question. Nearby details are often distractors.
Check grammar, spelling and the limit
- Read the completed sentence aloud in your head. It should make sense and be grammatical.
- Check singular and plural forms.
- Copy spellings carefully from the passage.
- Do not add extra words like “the” if it pushes you over the limit.
- Write numbers in the form shown in the text and as allowed by the instructions.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a word because it appears near a keyword, without checking the meaning.
- Ignoring the word limit.
- Copying a word that does not fit grammatically.
- Spending too long on a single gap.
- Forgetting to transfer answers correctly.
- Confusing this task with matching endings. See IELTS matching sentence endings, where you choose from a list of endings rather than write your own words.
Time and review
Reading has limited time, so build a habit of moving on. Mark questions you skipped, finish the rest, and return with remaining time. If you can’t find an answer, check the instructions on whether you must provide an answer. Wrong answers usually do not lose extra points compared with blanks, but check the official scoring information to be sure.
Practice
- Do untimed practice first to learn the method, then add a time limit.
- After each set, review every error (see the importance of review in learning). Was it prediction, location, paraphrase or grammar?
- Keep a notebook of paraphrase pairs you find.
- Practise with sources from the official IELTS organisers and reputable publishers.
FAQ
Are answers always in the same order as the questions? Often they are, but check the instructions for your task.
Can I change the form of a word from the passage? Usually you must use the words as they appear. Check the instructions.
What if two words seem possible? Reread the passage and choose the one that fits both meaning and grammar and the word limit.