IELTS Listening Completion Part 1

What are Completion Part 1 questions?

IELTS Listening completion questions in Part 1 test whether you can fill gaps in an everyday conversation. The recording may correct a first answer, spell a name, group numbers, or paraphrase a place, a time, or an action. Here are the main traps to watch for in Part 1 completion questions.

Strategy:

• The Immediate Change of Mind Trap. Part 1 speakers often give one piece of information and then correct themselves. Words such as actually, oh wait, and hold on warn you that the first version is wrong, so the second date, time, or number is usually the answer.
• The Spelling Trap. Part 1 often asks you to write a name, a street, or an email address, and spelling counts. The risk is letters that sound alike, such as A and E, E and I, or G and J.
• The Number Grouping and "Oh" Trap. Before the recording starts, decide what kind of word each gap needs. When a gap needs a number, expect the speaker to group the digits rather than read them one at a time. Oh stands for zero, double repeats a digit twice, and triple repeats it three times.
• The Preposition/Positional Paraphrase. Notes often use a position word such as opposite, next to, or behind. The speaker describes the same place in different words, so listen for the meaning of the location rather than for the word printed on the page.
• Time and Frequency Paraphrasing. A gap may ask for a time or a frequency. The speaker usually paraphrases that same period, so match the meaning to the gap instead of waiting for the wording on the page.
• Verb and Action Paraphrasing. Notes use a plain verb such as must provide or need to bring. The speaker rarely says that verb and instead uses a synonym or describes the action, so listen for what is actually required.

Strategy reminder: The Immediate Change of Mind Trap. Part 1 speakers often give one piece of information and then correct themselves. Words such as actually, oh wait, and hold on warn you that the first version is wrong, so the second date, time, or number is usually the answer.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Immediate Change of Mind Trap. Part 1 speakers often give one piece of information and then correct themselves. Words such as actually, oh wait, and hold on warn you that the first version is wrong, so the second date, time, or number is usually the answer.

The agent first offers Thursday the 12th of November. The customer agrees at first, then says oh, hold on a second and asks to move it to Friday the 13th. The agent confirms the 13th. Write 13 or 13th, not the first date you hear.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Spelling Trap. Part 1 often asks you to write a name, a street, or an email address, and spelling counts. The risk is letters that sound alike, such as A and E, E and I, or G and J.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Spelling Trap. Part 1 often asks you to write a name, a street, or an email address, and spelling counts. The risk is letters that sound alike, such as A and E, E and I, or G and J.

The caller spells the name letter by letter, then says J as in Japan. That means the first letter is J, not G. The vowels are E then I, not I then E. Copy the letters exactly as they are spelled. Spellings such as Gennings or Ginnings change the first letter and are wrong.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Number Grouping and "Oh" Trap. Before the recording starts, decide what kind of word each gap needs. When a gap needs a number, expect the speaker to group the digits rather than read them one at a time. Oh stands for zero, double repeats a digit twice, and triple repeats it three times.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Number Grouping and "Oh" Trap. Before the recording starts, decide what kind of word each gap needs. When a gap needs a number, expect the speaker to group the digits rather than read them one at a time. Oh stands for zero, double repeats a digit twice, and triple repeats it three times.

The member first says double-oh seven and triple-five. The clerk repeats double-oh seven, which is the wrong grouping. The member then corrects it to oh seven, double seven, oh oh, triple five, two one. That is 07, 77, 00, 555, and 21. Write the final grouping, not the first version you hear.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Preposition/Positional Paraphrase. Notes often use a position word such as opposite, next to, or behind. The speaker describes the same place in different words, so listen for the meaning of the location rather than for the word printed on the page.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Preposition/Positional Paraphrase. Notes often use a position word such as opposite, next to, or behind. The speaker describes the same place in different words, so listen for the meaning of the location rather than for the word printed on the page.

The customer asks if the office is near the train station. The agent says not quite. The question says opposite the, and the agent says they are directly across the street from the local library. Opposite and across the street mean the same place. The train station is mentioned first, but it is not the landmark.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: Time and Frequency Paraphrasing. A gap may ask for a time or a frequency. The speaker usually paraphrases that same period, so match the meaning to the gap instead of waiting for the wording on the page.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Time and Frequency Paraphrasing. A gap may ask for a time or a frequency. The speaker usually paraphrases that same period, so match the meaning to the gap instead of waiting for the wording on the page.

The blank is once a ____. The clerk says every fortnight, which means once a fortnight. Weekly collection is for household trash, not the green bins.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: Verb and Action Paraphrasing. Notes use a plain verb such as must provide or need to bring. The speaker rarely says that verb and instead uses a synonym or describes the action, so listen for what is actually required.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Verb and Action Paraphrasing. Notes use a plain verb such as must provide or need to bring. The speaker rarely says that verb and instead uses a synonym or describes the action, so listen for what is actually required.

Must provide is paraphrased as it is mandatory that you supply. Diploma and certificates are mentioned first, but the manager says those are not needed yet. The required item is a reference.

Correct answer: