The IELTS Reading test assesses your English reading comprehension through a variety of question types. Sentence Completion is one of the most common and relatively easy tasks, offering a great opportunity to score well.
In this article, we will dive into how to approach this question type, useful strategies, tips for choosing the correct answers, and the common mistakes that can cost you valuable marks.
1. Overview of Sentence Completion in IELTS Reading
Sentence Completion requires test takers to find appropriate words from the passage to complete unfinished sentences. Although relatively straightforward, this task demands accurate information retrieval and attention to grammar.
Common format of Sentence Completion in IELTS Reading:
In this question type, you are typically given 3 to 6 incomplete sentences. You must read the relevant passage and fill in the blanks with appropriate words. The instructions will clearly state how many words or numbers you are allowed to use.
For example, “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS” means you can only use one or two words. If your answer exceeds this limit, you will receive no marks for that question.
2. Steps to Answer Sentence Completion Questions in IELTS Reading
To effectively tackle this task, follow these steps:
Step 1: Read the instructions carefully
Start by reading the instructions and paying close attention to bolded phrases. These tell you how many words or numbers are allowed in your answer.
Examples:
ONE WORD ONLY: You may use only one word
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS: You may use one or two words, but not more
Note: Hyphenated words (e.g., time-saving, hard-working) count as one word.
Step 2: Understand the sentence and underline keywords
The questions are incomplete sentences that you need to finish using information from the passage. Read each sentence and identify the part of speech required (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
Underline important keywords to help you locate the relevant part of the passage. You can also predict the type of information needed based on the sentence structure and context.
Example:
Reasons why polar bears should be protected
People think of bears as unintelligent and 8 _______ However, this may not be correct. For example:
In Tennoji Zoo, a bear has been using a branch as a 9 _______ This allowed him to knock down some 10 _______ A wild polar bear worked out a method of reaching a platform where a 11 _______ was located Polar bears have displayed behaviour such as conscious manipulation of objects and activity similar to a 12 _______
Step 3: Locate the information in the passage
Use the Scanning method to quickly find the section of the passage that contains the answer. You don’t need to understand every word—just focus on finding information that matches the sentence and keywords.
Look for synonyms and paraphrased expressions that may be used in place of the keywords.
Step 4: Review and check for mistakes
Insert the word(s) into the blank to form a grammatically correct sentence. Double-check for spelling and grammar issues, such as singular/plural forms.
3. Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in IELTS Reading
Common problems:
Some candidates only skim and scan individual words without recognizing paraphrasing. This leads to misunderstanding or inability to locate the correct information. Practice recognizing synonyms and paraphrased meanings regularly.
Not choosing the correct part of speech for the blank. Always analyze the sentence structure to determine the appropriate word type.
Writing more words than allowed. Always review the word count limit and follow it strictly.
Additional tips:
If the instructions include “using words from the text” or “from the text,” you must use the exact words from the passage without changing their form—unless stated otherwise.
Pay attention to contrast words like although, but, and however, as they can signal a shift in meaning.
The answers appear in the same order as the information in the text.
4. Sample Sentence Completion Practice for IELTS Reading
The War on Smoking
Make no mistake, the move to introduce plain packaging is just the latest front in the war against smoking. Over the past decade, there has been a ban on smoking in public places and moves to restrict displays in shops. But one of the issues that has been concerning health experts and ministers is the number of people who continue to take up smoking, particularly young people.
More than 200,000 under-16s start in the UK each year – helping ensure a viable market remains for manufacturers once the number of people quitting and dying is taken into account. In countries like the UK where there is a ban on advertising, the pack remains the last major vehicle for promotion. Hence the detail and care taken in the design of the packets with their laminated and special print effects, foil decorations and slide openings and bevelled edges. It should come as no surprise therefore to learn that they have become known as the “silent salesman” and “mobile billboard” within the industry. They are that important.
Questions
Complete the sentences. Choose no more than two words and or a number from the passage for each answer.
__________ is the most recent strategy to tackle the problem of smoking.
The large number of new smokers, particularly under 16s, makes certain that cigarette companies will always have a __________
In some countries, packaging is the only method that cigarette companies have for __________
Packets are seen as being the __________ in the cigarette industry.
Answers:
plain packaging
viable market
promotion
silent salesman / mobile billboard (either is correct)
We hope the strategies and tips above will help you score higher in the Sentence Completion section of the IELTS Reading test. Practice regularly with IELTS resources available from IDP, including Masterclass webinars and expert tips from international IELTS instructors. This will help you become more familiar with the question format and reduce mistakes.
Once you're ready, register for your IELTS test with IDP today.