Introduction:
While solving the IELTS Reading module, whether pen-paper-based or computer-based, students often find it tough to manage the time and locate the correct answer to the question. If you are one of those, you really struggle to find answers to fill-in-the-blank questions, then this blog is certainly for you. You will familiarize yourself with the most important dos and don'ts at the time of solving such questions, along with the various styles of questions that you need to respond to in your IELTS Reading skill , especially the fill-ups.
Types of blanks
You may discover some distinct kinds of fill-up questions, but the method of searching for the response to the question happens to be the same. It is crucial for you to know these independent varieties of questions. The main 2 kinds of questions are: fill-in-the-blanks WITH an option box and fill-in-the-blanks WITHOUT an option box.
- Fill-in-the-blanks WITH an option box: In this question type, you will be supplied with a box that displays various options for the questions asked and you must fill the blank with an appropriate word or a letter. Remember, the options will always be the synonyms and NOT the exact word from the passage.
- Fill-in-the-blanks WITHOUT an option box: Here, no choices for the asked question will be shared. You would want to find the suitable answer all by yourself from the passage.
Further, the types are categorized in the following manner, and you may get any out of these types:
- Sentence completion: The sentence will have a blank and you are required to fill the gap by searching for the answer in the passage or from the list given. The sentences can be from anywhere within the passage. For example, one sentence will be from the 2nd paragraph, and another statement can be from the 4th paragraph.
- Summary completion: A summary or an individual paragraph will be presented and you are supposed to fill up the blank spaces by looking for the answers in the passage. Here, the text will appear in a paraphrased manner by combining the text of a few paragraphs.
- Note completion: A set of notes formed by a part of the paragraph or the entire text itself will be delineated and you must answer by finding the same in the passage.
- Table completion: The blanks will be given anywhere in the table and you will have to write the answers as demanded to complete the missing information.
- Diagram/flow chart completion: A pictorial presentation or a flow chart will be furnished to you and you will have to fill in the space by using the data shown in the passage. Keep in mind that the diagram or flow chart will be the picturization of the details mentioned in the passage. This type of fill-up is the easiest and fascinating too.
Tips to deal with this question type
There are multiple ways through which you can get all your answers to the IELTS Reading fill-in-the-blank correct. Consider these strategies stated below:
- Read the questions and analyze their types: Have a look at the questions and be sure-footed as to what type of fill-ups are given.
- Improve grammatical accuracy: Know if the blank must contain any noun, pronoun, verb, or adjective. Focusing on prepositions such as at, in, from, to, and many more can also lower your burden in a way.
- Be informed of singular and plural forms: Read the questions and perceive whether the blank must be with ‘S’ or without an ‘S’. This can be judged by the article i.e a, an, and the, or by helping verbs like was, were, has, have, and so on, placed before or after the gaps.
- Learn paraphrasing techniques and vocabulary: Many a time, you will notice the questions in a different voice than that of the text in the passage or the synonyms will be used to confuse you. Improving your vocabulary will significantly help you in finding the answers swiftly.
- Enhance your reading speed: All you need while solving the questions is your speed in comprehending the question and then choosing the correct response accordingly.
- Focus on keywords: Each statement/question will have keywords. These keywords will take you to the sentence where you may find the reply to the question.
- Keep transferring your answers: In IELTS Reading, you will not be given any extra time to select the answers (in case of a Computer-based test) or transfer the answers to your answer sheet (in case of a pen-and-paper-based test). Make it a habit of transferring the answers simultaneously after finding one.
- Read between the lines: Usually, keywords will just take you to the statements in the passage. You’ll have to read and understand the meaning of the statement, match it with the meaning of the question asked, and then decide upon the answers. Remember, keywords are just the ladder, not the final destination.
- Manage time wisely: Don’t waste a lot of time finding the answers in the passage. If you are unable to search for the correct answer, move on.
- Predict the answers: After reading the questions, try speculating on the answer. Think if the answer could be the name of an individual, a place, an emotion, an animal, or a thing. This will make your work easier.
Avoid the common don’ts
Many students, due to performance pressure, may sometimes end up scoring less. Here are the commonest errors you should keep yourself away from. They are:
- Spelling or grammatical inaccuracy: Students, in a hurry, either write an incorrect spelling or forget to write properly worded statements. Ensure that you copy or pen down the correct spelling while noting it from the passage. Copying is also an art, master it.
- Performing the task of transferring the answer at the end: No separate or extra time is given to transfer or select the answers. This activity has to be done side-by-side. Delays are dangerous.
- Reading the passage at the first place: You must always read the questions first and then move to the passage. Reading the text 1st can consume a lot of your time and make you feel annoyed if you fail in finding the answer easily.
- Ignoring the instructions: You must write the answers as requested in the instructions. If the command is to write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER, then you must not exceed the word limit. Understand, your answer can have one word and one number (not 1 digit) but not beyond that. One number and be of 5, 8, or even 12 digits.
- Spending unnecessary time to find the answer: If you are unable to locate the answer, then you should leave that blank for later and move to the next one. Mismanagement of time can cost you less bands.
- Hurrying in copy-paste the answers: While, opting for a computer delivered exam, you will see the passage beside the questions. Make sure that you copy the word(s) correctly and then paste it. Haste makes things waste.
- Writing words already mentioned in the question: Do not write the words that are already written in the question. To illustrate, if the answer to the question is ‘the atmospheric cycle’ and ‘the’ is already mentioned before the blank, then the answer to be written has to be ‘atmospheric cycle’ even if the instruction says ‘Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS”
- Simply relying on keywords: Desiring to get the exact answers just by matching the keywords and not comprehending the demand of the question will lead you writing the incorrect answers. Keywords can just help you to find the location of your supposed answer.
Conclusion
Fill in the blanks are actually the easiest part of the IELTS Reading skill if dealt wisely and with utmost alertness. You can approach the best overseas consultancy in Ahmedabad and take the assistance of an expert mentor to guide you in ameliorating your band score. Follow the above-mentioned tips and strategies for IELTS Reading Fill-in-the-blanks questions and score full marks.
