Sentence Completion questions are a common question type in the IELTS Reading test. They assess your ability to understand detailed information and vocabulary within a passage. While these questions can be challenging, approaching them strategically can significantly improve your accuracy and overall score. As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’m here to share effective strategies to help you conquer this question type.
Understanding Sentence Completion Questions
Before diving into strategies, let’s understand the structure of these questions. You’ll be provided with a sentence extracted from the passage, with a gap representing a missing word or phrase. Your task is to choose the most appropriate word or phrase from the passage to fill the gap, ensuring grammatical accuracy and maintaining the original meaning of the sentence.
Effective Strategies for Sentence Completion Questions
Here’s a breakdown of effective techniques to tackle Sentence Completion questions:
1. Read the Instructions Carefully
Always start by carefully reading the instructions. Pay attention to the word limit indicated (e.g., “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS”). Exceeding the word limit will result in an incorrect answer, even if the chosen words are accurate.
2. Skim the Passage for Context
Before focusing on the incomplete sentences, quickly skim the passage to get a general understanding of the topic, main ideas, and overall structure. This will provide context for the sentences you’ll be completing.
3. Analyze the Incomplete Sentences
Carefully read each incomplete sentence, identifying the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) that is missing. Pay attention to keywords and grammatical clues within the sentence that might indicate the type of word or phrase needed.
4. Locate the Relevant Information in the Passage
Use keywords from the incomplete sentences to locate the relevant section in the passage. The answer will usually be found in the same order as the questions appear in the test.
5. Choose the Best Fit
Read the surrounding sentences of the identified section to fully grasp the context. Choose the word or phrase from the passage that best fits the gap grammatically and logically, ensuring it maintains the original meaning of the sentence.
6. Beware of Synonyms and Paraphrasing
Remember that the passage may use synonyms or paraphrase information instead of using the exact words from the incomplete sentence. Be prepared to identify words or phrases that convey similar meanings.
Example from IELTS Reading Passage
Let’s illustrate these strategies with an example:
Passage Excerpt:
“The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, has gained significant momentum in recent years. These sources offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing our reliance on finite resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
Sentence Completion Question:
The increasing utilization of renewable energy sources aims to diminish our __ on fossil fuels.
Explanation:
- Keywords: “renewable energy sources,” “diminish,” “fossil fuels.”
- Relevant Section in Passage: “These sources offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing our reliance on finite resources…”
- Best Fit: The word “reliance” best fits the gap grammatically and semantically.
Complete Sentence:
The increasing utilization of renewable energy sources aims to diminish our reliance on fossil fuels.
Renewable Energy Sources
Tips for Success
- Practice Regularly: Familiarize yourself with the question format and practice with sample IELTS Reading passages.
- Improve Vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is crucial. Regularly learn new words and practice using them in context.
- Time Management: Allocate time wisely during the test. Don’t spend too much time on a single question.
- Proofread: Before submitting your answers, carefully proofread each completed sentence for grammatical accuracy and coherence.
Conclusion
Mastering Sentence Completion questions in the IELTS Reading test requires practice, strategy, and a good understanding of vocabulary and grammar. By following the techniques outlined in this guide and practicing regularly, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle this question type with confidence and boost your overall IELTS Reading score.