IELTS Listening: Sentence Completion
This task tests whether you can identify the exact word(s) or number from the recording that complete a sentence grammatically and factually, while obeying a strict word limit.
What this question looks like
You are given a set of incomplete sentences that summarise information from the recording, usually appearing in numerical order as the audio progresses. Each sentence has one gap, and an instruction such as "Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer" tells you the maximum you can write. The sentences can appear in any section of the test, though they are most common in Section 2 (a talk about everyday life) and Section 4 (an academic lecture). You must fill each gap using words taken directly from the audio, spelled correctly, and fitting the grammar of the sentence around it.
Step-by-step approach
- 1Before listening, read every sentence and predict the missing word's grammar and meaning: is it a noun, adjective, verb, number, date or proper noun? This narrows down what you're listening for.
- 2Underline the word limit instruction and count backwards from it. If the limit is TWO WORDS, discard any answer idea that needs three, even if it sounds right.
- 3Identify keywords in each sentence that will be paraphrased in the audio (e.g. 'the main reason' might become 'the biggest factor'). Expect the answer itself to be spoken close to its original wording, but the surrounding context to be reworded.
- 4Listen in order: the answers follow the same sequence as the sentences on the page, so use the previous answer as a marker for when the next one is coming.
- 5As you write, check the sentence still makes grammatical sense when your answer is inserted, singular/plural, verb tense and articles all included.
- 6After the recording, transfer answers carefully onto the answer sheet, checking spelling of any names or technical terms against the question paper if they were spelled aloud.
Worked example
Recording transcript excerpt: 'The museum's new wing was originally going to open in spring, but delays with the roof structure pushed the launch back to late autumn instead.' Complete the sentence: The opening of the new wing was delayed until ___________.
late autumn
The sentence stem asks when the wing actually opened, not when it was first planned. 'Spring' is the distractor (the original plan), and 'late autumn' is the corrected, final date, signalled by the contrast word 'but'. It fits the two-word limit and completes the sentence grammatically as a time expression after 'until'.
Try it yourself
Read the short context, then choose the option that correctly completes the sentence based on what you would hear.
Audio context: 'Our walking tours used to start from the harbour, but so many people were getting lost on the way there that we've moved the meeting point to the library steps instead. Just remember, that's only for the morning tour, the afternoon one still starts at the harbour.' Complete the sentence: The morning walking tour now begins at the ___________.
Common mistakes
- !Writing an answer that exceeds the stated word limit, even one extra word (like an article 'the') can cost the mark if it pushes the total over.
- !Copying the first matching word heard rather than waiting for a correction or contrast (signalled by words like 'but', 'actually', 'instead'), which is a very common trap in this task.
- !Losing the place in the recording after missing one answer, causing a chain of missed answers because the sentences are sequential.
- !Ignoring grammar: writing a plural noun where the sentence needs a singular one, or a verb where an adjective is required, even if the vocabulary itself is correct.
- !Misspelling words that were spelled aloud in the recording, spelling mistakes make an otherwise correct answer wrong.
Quick quiz
1. The instructions say 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'. Which answer is acceptable if the correct information is 'a small wooden table'?
2. Why is it useful to predict the grammar of each missing word before listening?
3. In sentence completion tasks, why do speakers often mention an idea and then correct or contrast it?
4. What should you do if you miss one answer while listening?
Practise this in a real IELTS test
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Take a free Listening testIELTS Listening: Sentence Completion — FAQ
Do I need to use the exact words from the recording, or can I paraphrase my answer?
You should use the exact word(s) spoken in the recording for the gap itself, spelled correctly. The surrounding sentence on the page is often a paraphrase of what you'll hear, but the actual missing word is normally taken verbatim from the audio.
What happens if my answer is correct but I go over the word limit?
It will be marked wrong, even if all the words you wrote are accurate and relevant. The word limit is a strict rule, so always count your words and cut down to the essential answer before writing it on the answer sheet.
Are sentence completion answers always single words?
No, depending on the limit given (commonly ONE, TWO or THREE WORDS, sometimes AND/OR A NUMBER), the answer can be one word, a short phrase, or a word plus a number such as a date, price or quantity. Always check the specific instruction for that task, as it can differ between sections.