IELTS Reading: Completion Questions
Completion questions in the IELTS Reading test are designed to assess your ability to locate specific information and understand the relationship between different parts of a text. This group of questions includes Sentence Completion, Summary Completion, Table Completion, and Diagram Label Completion. A crucial aspect of all these question types is the strict word limit you must adhere to.

Sentence Completion
In this question type, you are given a series of incomplete sentences and must fill in the blanks using words taken directly from the reading passage. The questions will follow the order of the information in the text.

Key Strategy:

Read the incomplete sentences first. Look for keywords to help you scan the passage more efficiently.

Locate the keywords in the text. Find the specific section that contains the information needed to complete the sentence.

Pay close attention to the word limit. The instructions will state something like "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER." If the correct answer from the text is "a large dog," but the limit is one word, you must find a different way to answer or recognize that you have the wrong section. Never exceed the stated word limit.

Check for grammatical correctness. The word you choose must fit grammatically into the sentence. For example, if the sentence requires a noun, ensure the word you select is a noun.

Summary Completion
For summary completion, you are given a summary of either the entire text or a specific paragraph. You must fill in the missing words. This type can appear in two formats: with a word list to choose from or without.

Key Strategy:

Skim the summary first. Get a general understanding of the topic and main points.

Identify keywords and gaps. The summary will often use synonyms or paraphrasing, so look for similar concepts in the passage.

Find the corresponding section in the text. Once you locate the relevant part of the passage, carefully read it to find the missing information.

Adhere to the word limit. If a word list is provided, you must use only words from that list. If not, follow the "NO MORE THAN..." instructions carefully.

Table Completion
This question type requires you to complete a table that summarizes specific facts or data from the passage. The table may have headings and categories to guide you. The information may not be in the same order as it appears in the text, so you may need to jump around.

Key Strategy:

Analyze the table headings. These headings are your most important tool for finding information. They tell you exactly what kind of data to look for.

Scan the text for keywords from the headings or existing table entries. This will help you find the correct section quickly.

Fill in the missing information. As always, ensure your answer matches the word limit.

Check your answers carefully. Make sure the word or words you chose make sense in the context of the table.

Diagram Label Completion
In this task, you are given a diagram or flowchart and must label its parts using words from the passage. This question is common for passages that describe a process, a machine, or a biological system.


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Key Strategy:

Examine the diagram carefully. Pay attention to the title and any existing labels. This will help you find the corresponding information in the passage.

Find the section of the passage that describes the diagram. The diagram usually relates to a specific paragraph or a small group of paragraphs.

Match the labels to the text. Read the passage carefully, looking for descriptions that correspond to the numbered parts of the diagram. The exact wording you need will be in the passage.

Follow the word limit precisely. This is non-negotiable. If the limit is "NO MORE THAN ONE WORD," and the correct term is "solar panel," you must find a single-word equivalent in the text or understand that the intended answer is just "panel."

The Golden Rule: Respecting the Word Limit
For all completion questions, the word limit is your most important constraint. Read the instructions for each question type twice to be sure you understand the rules (e.g., "one word only," "no more than two words and/or a number"). Writing an answer that is even one word over the limit will result in an incorrect score, even if the information is accurate.