🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Sentence Completion (IELTS Listening)?

Sentence completion is an IELTS listening task where you hear an audio passage and fill in blanks in incomplete sentences. It tests listening for specific information and note-taking speed.

Short answer

Sentence completion asks you to complete 5–10 incomplete sentences while listening to a recording. You write keywords—usually 1–3 words per blank—drawn directly from the audio, with spelling and grammar as spoken.

Sentence Completion Workflow

1
Receive questions
You see 5–10 incomplete sentences with blanks.
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2
Listen actively
Audio plays; speakers fill gaps with specific words or phrases.
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3
Identify & note
Spot the exact word/phrase matching the blank's context.
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4
Write answer
Write 1–3 words in the blank, matching case and spelling.
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5
Review
Check grammar, spelling, and word count limits.

Step-by-step worked examples

Audio: 'Modern cities face significant challenges including _______ and waste management.' What word completes the sentence?

Listen for a noun describing a city challenge.
Speaker says: 'pollution and waste management.'
Write: pollution

Audio: 'The ecosystem depends on _______ biodiversity to survive.' What adjective fits?

Listen for an adjective before 'biodiversity'.
Speaker says: 'The ecosystem depends on healthy biodiversity.'
Write: healthy

Audio: 'Climate change is accelerated by _______, such as fossil fuels.' What phrase completes it?

Listen for the cause of climate change.
Speaker says: 'Climate change is accelerated by human activities.'
Write: human activities

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.In sentence completion, which source do you draw answers from?

Correct answer: B. Answers must come directly from the audio; no external knowledge.

Q2.What is the typical word limit per blank?

Correct answer: C. Most blanks accept 1–3 words; always check instructions.

Q3.If the audio says 'It's raining,' but the blank needs a verb, can you write 'raining'?

Correct answer: B. Write the exact word(s) from the audio, matching case and form.

Q4.How many sentence completion questions typically appear in IELTS listening?

Correct answer: A. Sentence completion usually appears once per listening test, with 5–10 questions.

📄Download this topic as a printable worksheet (PDF)Summary + 10 questions + answer key — print it, share it in class.↓

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Common mistakes

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Writing synonyms instead of exact words. — Correct: Always use the exact word/phrase spoken; synonyms are incorrect.

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Ignoring word count limits (writing 5 words when max is 3). — Correct: Count words carefully; exceed the limit and you lose the point.

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Misspelling words. — Correct: Spell every word correctly, matching the audio.

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Capitalizing common nouns. — Correct: Use capitals only if the speaker uses them (proper nouns, sentence start).

FAQ

What is sentence completion in IELTS listening?

A task where you fill blanks in incomplete sentences using exact words from the audio recording.

How many words can I write per blank?

Check the rubric — usually 1–3 words maximum.

Does spelling matter?

Yes. Any misspelling means the answer is marked wrong.

Can I write answers in my own words?

No. Answers must be exact words/phrases from the audio.