Mastering IELTS Sentence Completion: A Comprehensive Guide

Sentence completion in IELTS reading

At the heart of the IELTS Reading module lies sentence completion tasks. Before delving into strategies, it is crucial to grasp the format of these tasks. Sentence completion questions typically involve filling in blanks with words from the passage or even creating your own words based on context. 

Moreover, IELTS Reading introduces various types of sentence completion tasks, from single-blank completions to more complex multiple blanks and even tasks where you fill in blanks with your own words.

IELTS sentence completion tips

Below, we are providing the IELTS reading tips for sentence completion that will help you to score high in the exam.

Active Reading Strategies

The foundation for successful sentence completion lies in active reading. You should actively discover how to engage with the passage, identify key information, and anticipate completion based on context and surrounding details. 

Focus on Keywords

In the intricate web of a reading passage, keywords act as guiding lights. You should identify and leverage keywords. By honing this skill, you can swiftly locate relevant information within the reading passage. It will make the process of sentence completion more efficient and accurate. 

Develop Vocabulary Skills

An extensive vocabulary is the cornerstone of proficient sentence completion. Vocabulary development becomes a dynamic tool for success. So, it is essential to focus on vocabulary improvement.

Time Management Techniques

Time is a precious commodity in the IELTS Reading section. However, balancing accuracy with efficiency ensures that test-takers can navigate through sentence completion tasks without feeling rushed. 

Practice Regularly

The road to mastery is paved with practice. Learn how to incorporate regular sentence completion practice into your study routine.

IELTS Reading sentence completion practice questions

Here are the IELTS Reading Sentence Completion Practice Questions to get an idea about the main paper.

Sample Question - 

Hydroelectric plants harness energy by passing flowing water through a turbine. The water turbine rotation is delivered to a generator, which generates electricity. The quantity of electricity that can be produced at a hydroelectric plant relies upon two variables. These variables are (1) the vertical distance that the waterfalls, called the “head”, and (2) the flow rate, calculated as volume over time. The amount of electricity that is produced is thus proportional to the head product and the flow rate. Until only recently people believed almost universally that hydroelectric power was an environmentally safe and clean means of generating electricity. Hydroelectric stations do not release any of the usual atmospheric pollutants emitted by power plants fuelled by fossil fuels, so they do not add to global warming or acid rain. Nevertheless, recent studies of the larger reservoirs formed behind dams have implied that decomposing, flooded vegetation could give off greenhouse gases equal to those from other electricity sources.

Questions -

Hydroelectric plants produce energy by passing 1.............................. through a turbine. Electricity is produced by delivering water 2........................ to a generator. The amount of electricity that can be produced at a hydroelectric plant relies upon 3................... and 4.................. Hydroelectric power plants do not release any pollutants into the atmosphere, so they do not cause 5......................

Answers -

Hydroelectric plants produce energy by passing flowing water through a turbine. Electricity is produced by delivering water turbine rotation to a generator. The amount of electricity that can be produced at a hydroelectric plant relies upon head product and flow rate. Hydroelectric power plants do not release any pollutants into the atmosphere, so they do not cause global warming.

Explanation for the Answers -

The question asks to choose answers from the passage. So, the answers are definitely in the passage. Also, the instruction says “ NOT MORE THAN TWO WORDS”. Please bear it in mind while answering.

For the first question, “produce” also means “harness”. If you read through the passage, you find that the first line contains the information, “Hydroelectric plants harness energy by passing flowing water through a turbine.” So the answer is “flowing water”.

For the second question, you find in the passage that the second line contains the information “The water turbine rotation is delivered to a generator, which generates electricity.” So the answer is “turbine rotation”.

For the third and fourth questions, the fifth line of the passage contains the information: “The amount of electricity that is produced is thus proportional to the head product and the flow rate.” So the answers are “head product” and “flow rate.”

For the fifth question, the seventh line of the passage has the information “they do not add to global warming”. So the answer is “global warming.”

Conclusion

As candidates delve deeper into mastering sentence completion, understanding these nuances becomes essential for a well-rounded preparation. Hope this comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource for individuals navigating the intricacies of Sentence Completion in IELTS Reading module. By following the outlined strategies and engaging with practice questions, test-takers can confidently enhance their skills and approach the IELTS Reading section.

This guide emphasises the cumulative impact of these strategies on overall proficiency. We hope this will be helpful for you. However, you can contact Prepare IELTS (PI) expert counsellors for further guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.