IELTS Listening Completion Part 2

What are Completion Part 2 questions?

IELTS Listening completion questions in Part 2 test whether you can fill gaps in a one-speaker talk. The recording may restate the words around a gap, switch the grammar class of the answer, or name a fit word and then cancel it. Here are the main traps to watch for in Part 2 completion questions.

Strategy:

• The Synonym Anchor Trap. The words around a gap are paraphrased in the recording. The page may use a plain verb or adjective while the speaker uses a harder synonym for the same idea, so a page you read word for word will not match what you hear. Before the audio starts, read each line and predict what the gap needs. Then listen for the meaning of the words around the gap rather than for the words themselves.
• The Grammar Class Switch Trap. A gap is built for one part of speech, often a noun. The speaker may express the same idea as a verb or an adjective, and copying that spoken form breaks the grammar of the line on the page. Change the spoken word into the form the gap needs, then count your words against the stated limit. An answer that is right in meaning but too long scores nothing.
• The Negative Qualifier Delay Trap. A speaker can name something that fits the gap perfectly and then cancel it, either at the start of the sentence or at the very end. Words such as however, unfortunately, and instead carry that change. Wait until the speaker confirms whether the thing is going ahead before you write. If a gap gets away from you, leave it and move on, because the answers follow the order of the recording.

Strategy reminder: The Synonym Anchor Trap. The words around a gap are paraphrased in the recording. The page may use a plain verb or adjective while the speaker uses a harder synonym for the same idea, so a page you read word for word will not match what you hear. Before the audio starts, read each line and predict what the gap needs. Then listen for the meaning of the words around the gap rather than for the words themselves.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Synonym Anchor Trap. The words around a gap are paraphrased in the recording. The page may use a plain verb or adjective while the speaker uses a harder synonym for the same idea, so a page you read word for word will not match what you hear. Before the audio starts, read each line and predict what the gap needs. Then listen for the meaning of the words around the gap rather than for the words themselves.

Question 1: The question says requirement for security. The speaker never says those exact words. To maximize protection and a mandatory photo ID check mean the same thing. Correct answer: photo ID.

Question 2: The question says clear away. Waiting for that exact verb will make you miss the noun. Eradicate is a synonym for clear away. The thing being removed is weeds.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Grammar Class Switch Trap. A gap is built for one part of speech, often a noun. The speaker may express the same idea as a verb or an adjective, and copying that spoken form breaks the grammar of the line on the page. Change the spoken word into the form the gap needs, then count your words against the stated limit. An answer that is right in meaning but too long scores nothing.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Grammar Class Switch Trap. A gap is built for one part of speech, often a noun. The speaker may express the same idea as a verb or an adjective, and copying that spoken form breaks the grammar of the line on the page. Change the spoken word into the form the gap needs, then count your words against the stated limit. An answer that is right in meaning but too long scores nothing.

Question 3: The speaker says navigating, which is a verb. The table needs a noun after Better. The noun form is navigation.

Question 4: The speaker says sleep safely. The table needs a noun after Increased. The noun that matches the idea is security.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Negative Qualifier Delay Trap. A speaker can name something that fits the gap perfectly and then cancel it, either at the start of the sentence or at the very end. Words such as however, unfortunately, and instead carry that change. Wait until the speaker confirms whether the thing is going ahead before you write. If a gap gets away from you, leave it and move on, because the answers follow the order of the recording.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Negative Qualifier Delay Trap. A speaker can name something that fits the gap perfectly and then cancel it, either at the start of the sentence or at the very end. Words such as however, unfortunately, and instead carry that change. Wait until the speaker confirms whether the thing is going ahead before you write. If a gap gets away from you, leave it and move on, because the answers follow the order of the recording.

Question 5: The speaker names the community art project first, as if it is going ahead. The negative comes at the end: it won't be going ahead because of a lack of funding.

Question 6: The speaker names the pottery studio first, as if members can still use it. The closing comes at the end: a pipe burst is forcing us to shut down the room entirely until Monday.

Correct answer: