Lesson Introduction
-
Video Lesson
- IELTS Listening - Note and Table Completion
Part 1
In this lesson, we will continue to look at Note/Form/Table Completion question type.
If you are not familiar with the strategies and tips for this question type, please look at the previous lesson.
This lesson will look at an example of a Section 2 listening prompt featuring both the Note and Table Completion question type.
Let's get started!
Before we even listen to the prompt, take time to quickly read the words and information. Try to combine this step with the second step, in order to save on time and focus some time on understanding the parts of speech of the missing words.
After you have quickly read (or while you are reading), underline the key words. What are key words? They are important words that will call out your attention while you listen to the prompt. Generally, you will want to avoid underlining adverbs, pronouns, or basic adjectives.
Quick Tip! - This question type will not contain long, drawn-out sentences similar to other question types. Instead, you will see only a few words, which will be key words. Do not be deterred if you find that you are underlining most of the words. That’s fine--underlining is great for your understanding of the words.
Let’s take a look at how we have underlined the key words below.
Show keywords
Questions 11-16
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer
|
THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE |
|
|
Well known for: |
11 |
|
Complex consists of: |
Concert rooms Theaters Cinemas Art galleries Public library Restaurants 12 |
|
Historical background: |
1940 - area destroyed by bombs 1960s - Centre was 13 In 14 - opened to public |
|
Managed by: |
15 |
|
Open: |
16 days per year |
|
Day |
Time |
Event |
Venue |
Ticket price |
|
Monday and Tuesday |
7:30 pm |
‘The Magic Flute’ (opera by Mozart)’ |
17 |
From £8.00 |
|
Wednesday |
8:00 pm |
18 (Canadian film) |
Cinema 2 |
19 |
|
Saturday and Sunday |
11:00 am to 10:00 pm |
20 (art exhibition) |
Gallery 1 |
Free |
After this step, you should notice a few things for the notes:
1.When looking at the list of information included in the “complex”, you would be wise to tick off each aspect once it has been mentioned. Why? This way, you are aware of the missing piece of information (#12), and can write it as soon as you hear it.
2. The missing word in #14, which comes after “in”, will be either a place or a year. Additionally, the word after (#16) and right before ‘days’ will most likely be a number. You should pay attention to this while you can, because this does not happen often in this question type! That is, there are usually not many clues pertaining to the missing word.
After this step, you should notice a few things for the table:
1.You should pay attention to the words in bold, which are also the words in the headings of the table. Note how each row has different gaps. The second row will most likely be the most difficult, since there are two gaps.
2. Notice that there is only one missing ticket price. This is a great clue, since anything mentioned (other than 8.00 or free) will most likely be the answer. Additionally, you should pay attention to the different Events mentioned, since there will be two to listen out for.
Have a look at our notes in the form and in the table.
Show Notes
Have you noticed that our “notes” were actually the answers? This is common for this question type, since it is very straightforward and clear.
The notes used were basically the answers, except for numbers 17 and 20. When looking at the transcript (or when listening), you may notice that the speaker provides a few different descriptions and words. Since we were taking notes on things that were said, so as not to miss anything. Notice how we eliminated the words that were incorrect, once we heard the correct answers. Do not be afraid to do this during the exam; it’s better to write more than to miss something!
Now let’s take a look at the explanations.
Show Answers
Questions 11-16
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer
|
THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE |
|
|
Well known for: |
11 Classical music |
|
Complex consists of: |
Concert rooms Theaters Cinemas Art galleries Public library Restaurants 12 bookshop |
|
Historical background: |
1940 - area destroyed by bombs 1960s - Centre was 13 planned In 14 - opened to public 1983 |
|
Managed by: |
15 city council |
|
Open: |
16 days per year 363 |
|
Day |
Time |
Event |
Venue |
Ticket price |
|
Monday and Tuesday |
7:30 pm |
‘The Magic Flute’ (opera by Mozart)’ |
17 National/Garden Hall |
From £8.00 |
|
Wednesday |
8:00 pm |
18 Three lives (Canadian film) |
Cinema 2 |
19 4.50 |
|
Saturday and Sunday |
11:00 am to 10:00 pm |
20 Chinese Art / Faces of China (art exhibition) |
Gallery 1 |
Free |
Answer Key and Explanation
Note Completion
11. classical music (concerts) / (classical) (music) concerts - The statement, “It’s famous throughout the world as one of the major venues for classical music” proves that this is correct. Notice how the synonym “famous” has been used for the word well-known.
12. (a) bookshop / (a) bookstore - The statement, “Under a single roof, it houses concert rooms, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a wonderful public library, as well as service facilities including three restaurants and a bookshop” proves that this is correct. If you followed along with our suggestion of ticking off words that had been called out, this would leave you with the correct answer.
13. planned - The statement, “Of course it took a while for such a big project to get started, but it was planned in the 60s…” proves this to be correct. Note how the speaker only said ‘60s’ instead of the full decade.
14. 1983 / (the) 1980s - The statement, “... built in the 70s and eventually opened to the public in 1983” proves this to be correct. Note how both 1980s and 1983 could be used in this case.
15. (the) City Council - The statement, “It is not privately owned, like many arts centres, but is still in public hands – it’s run by the City Council.” proves that this is correct.
16. 363 - The statement, “...and as the Centre is open 363 days of the year, there are plenty of performances to choose from.” proves that this is correct.
Note how the answers for this section came in order and were specific. Of course, indefinite articles (such as ‘the’) are optional.
Table Completion
17. (the) Garden Hall - The statement, “It’s in the Garden Hall and tickets start at only £8.00, but you’ll have to be early if you want to get them that cheap! And remember, it’s only on for those two evenings.” proves that this is the correct answer. The fact that the last half of the sentence says “only one for those two evenings”gives us a clue that it is the two days listed in the table.
18. Three Lives - The statement, “And that’s called ‘Three Lives’. It’s had fantastic reviews and tickets cost just £4.50” proves that this is correct.
19. £4.50 - The statement, “And that’s called ‘Three Lives’. It’s had fantastic reviews and tickets cost just £4.50” proves that this is correct.
20. Faces of China - The statement, “It’s a collection of Chinese Art called ‘Faces of China’ – that’s in Gallery 1 – and it some really fascinating paintings and sculptures by leading artists from all over China – and the good news is that it is completely free, so don’t miss it!” proves that this is correct, especially with the information that it is completely free.
Thanks for following along with this Note/Form/Table Completion question type lesson for the Listening Section of the IELTS exam. Although we’re wrapping up this lesson, be sure to continue practicing your listening skills, especially when it comes to this question type.
Do:
- Utilize the 20 seconds you will have prior to hearing the listening prompt and read the information first, underline your key words, and think about the types of words that could be missing from the gaps.
- Remember that the answers will come in order during the this question type’s prompt. This means that you should utilize the note, form, or table visual aid to your advantage and keep notes directly next to your gaps. Doing so will help you pick up where you left off if you miss something, and it will help you understand the information.
- Understand the question type in relation to the Sections. You will almost always have to listen for specific information, rather than listening for each speaker’s thoughts. We saw this in the first example of the Form in Section 1. Even though there were two speakers, we just needed to listen for specific information.
- As always, you should write the words clearly in capital letters and pay close attention to how many words you can write.
Don’t:
- Waste your time before and after the listening prompt is played. Think of these 30 minutes of the listening exam as ‘game time’, and actively listen or read the questions as much as you can!
- Waste time keeping a separate outline or chart for this question type. Use visual aids to your advantage.
- Focus on only one aspect of the process. In other words, don’t just listen, don’t just read, and don’t just answer. You will need to combine these three tasks in order to have enough time in this section. In other words: make sure to multitask.
- Leave anything blank! Even if the exam is difficult, choose your best guess in order to maximize your chances of scoring high.
- Write the incorrect amount of words. We suggest reading the instructions clearly so as to understand just how many words to write.
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