Among all IELTS Listening question types, Note Completion is one that you can absolutely conquer with a perfect score—if you follow a structured preparation plan and build a solid vocabulary foundation.
This article shares practical test strategies, common pitfalls to watch out for, and a sample Note Completion exercise to help you become familiar with the test format.
1. Overview of Note Completion IELTS Listening
Note Completion tasks require you to fill in missing information in a set of notes or a summary. These passages are typically academic in nature and may involve lectures or speeches given by professors or experts on various topics.
Note Completion usually appears in Section 3 or 4 of the Listening test. The pace of the audio is faster, and the vocabulary tends to be more academic and complex.
Note Completion IELTS Listening Format
You will see an incomplete note or paragraph where you must fill in the missing words based on the information heard in the recording.
2. Strategy for Note Completion IELTS Listening
Step 1: Read the instructions carefully and note the word limit
Always check the word limit before you begin writing. Examples include:
ONE WORD ONLY: You must write only one word. Writing "a professor" is incorrect; the correct answer is "professor".
ONE WORD AND OR A NUMBER: The answer can be a word, a number, or both (e.g., "December", "15th", or "15th December").
NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS: Your answer must not exceed three words.
Step 2: Read the notes, underline keywords, and predict the missing words
Once you understand the passage context, underline key terms to track the flow of the content. Predict the type of word required (e.g., noun, verb, adjective, singular or plural). Watch for synonyms and paraphrased versions of keywords—this will help you stay alert during the listening section.
Step 3: Listen and fill in the blanks
Listen carefully and write down exactly what you hear. Note Completion requires accuracy. Pay attention to the meaning and grammar of your answers. Speakers often use paraphrasing instead of repeating the exact words from the notes, so understanding the context is essential.
Step 4: Check your answers and complete any missing responses
Although brief, this final step is critical. Never leave a blank answer. If you are unsure, make an educated guess based on the sentence structure and context to improve your chances of scoring.
3. Tips to Master Note Completion IELTS Listening
Expand your vocabulary: Answers are often paraphrased, so a broad vocabulary across different topics is essential. Use the tapescripts of practice materials to learn new words.
Listen carefully to spelling: For names, addresses, or uncommon words, the speaker may spell out each letter—but only once. Be careful with commonly confused letters such as A and R, E and I, or C and S.
Use proper capitalization: In English, proper nouns (names, days, months) start with capital letters. If unsure, write your answers in all capital letters for consistency.
Watch for signposting language: Phrases like "first of all", "let’s move on to", or "let’s have a look at" signal a shift to the next part of the notes. Use them to stay aligned with the audio.
4. Sample Note Completion IELTS Listening Practice
Sample Questions: 1 – 5
Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD ONLY in each gap.
The Statue of Liberty
|
Correct answers | Here’s the relevant part of the recording |
|---|---|
1. friendship | “He was eager to commemorate 100 years of American independence from British rule, as well as the friendship between France and America.” |
2. donations | “The turning point came when American publisher Joseph Pulitzer placed an advertisement in his newspaper – the New York World – calling for donations from the public.” |
3. copper | “The outer layer of the statue was constructed using sheets of copper, which were hammered into shape by hand and assembled over a steel frame.” |
4. crates | “The 350 individual pieces were packed into crates, which then made the long voyage across the ocean.” |
5. concrete | “For instance, the architect of the pedestal, Richard Morris Hunt, had originally intended for it to be made of solid granite. But he was forced to resort to using concrete for the bulk of the structure due to budgetary constraints.” |
Transcript:
Today, we’re going to continue our series of lectures on American landmarks by focusing on the Statue of Liberty.
This iconic structure, which stands proudly on an island in New York Harbor, is recognised around the globe as a symbol of freedom. So, where did the statue come from? Well, it was first proposed by French historian Édouard de Laboulaye in 1865. He was eager to commemorate 100 years of American independence from British rule, as well as the friendship between France and America.
Now, despite being a gift from the French people, the Statue of Liberty was actually a joint project, with the Americans responsible for constructing the enormous pedestal the statue would stand on. You might find this surprising given the statue’s significance today, but it was actually very difficult to fund the project, particularly for the Americans, and the project eventually stalled. The turning point came when American publisher Joseph Pulitzer placed an advertisement in his newspaper – the New York World – calling for donations from the public. Thankfully, they responded, and the project was able to proceed.
Right, so, in terms of the construction of the statue itself, that got underway in France in 1875 under the direction of French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. The outer layer of the statue was constructed using sheets of copper, which were hammered into shape by hand and assembled over a steel frame. The statue was finished in France, but in order for it to be taken across the Atlantic to New York, it had to be disassembled. The 350 individual pieces were packed into crates, which then made the long voyage across the ocean. The statue arrived in New York in 1885, but it would be another year before the pedestal was completed. You see, the financing challenges had delayed the project and had other impacts, too. For instance, the architect of the pedestal, Richard Morris Hunt, had originally intended for it to be made of solid granite. But he was forced to resort to using concrete for the bulk of the structure due to budgetary constraints. Once the pedestal was finally complete, the statue was reassembled. In October 1886, more than 20 years after it was first imagined, the statue was finally unveiled to the public.
OK, I’d now like to turn to the association between the Statue of Liberty and immigration.
Prepare for IELTS Listening with IDP
With the strategies above, we hope you are now better equipped to handle Note Completion tasks and ready to practice regularly. Every learner has a different approach, so experiment with these methods and find the one that works best for you.
With years of experience in supporting IELTS candidates, IDP gives you free access to valuable preparation materials, including expert articles, strategy videos, and practice tips from international IELTS professionals.
You can also register for a free mock test at IDP IELTS test centers, attend IELTS workshops led by certified experts, and explore common question types and model answers through guided video lessons.
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