IELTS Listening Sentence Completion: Rules, Tips, Samples

What is Sentence Completion IELTS Listening?

As already mentioned above, the Sentence Completion IELTS Listening is a type of gap-fill task where you are required to listen to an audio recording and fill in missing data or info in order to complete a sentence. Besides this, this question type generally appears in Part 4 (academic lectures), but can occur in any section and also follows a strict word limit, which is often not more than 1 to 2 words.

Moreover, it will test how well you can catch small details like names, facts, numbers, or dates in everyday and academic conversations. Additionally, IELTS Listening Sentence Completion question type also checks whether you can understand how ideas, facts, or events are connected, such as cause and effect.

Practice for IELTS Listening test with authentic audio recordings in real test environment. Access Listening Mock Test

Sentence Completion Core Rules for 2026?

In 2026, there are a few core rules that you need to follow in order to ace and effectively answer Sentence Completion IELTS Listening. These include:

1. Exact Words: You need to use the same exact words as you listen to in the recording. If you paraphrase or even change the word form, it can lead to losing marks. For example, if you hear "need," do not write "needed".
2. Word Limit: It is also important that you follow the instructions to the letter. If the question says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”, make sure not exceed it at any cost. If you do, it can lead to incorrect marks even if your answer is correct.
3. Order of Answers: All the answers in Listening Sentence Completion follow the same order as the recording. So in case you miss one, it is best that you move to the next one.
4. Grammatical Fit: Lastly, your answer should be in the correct form, and the sentence needs to be grammatically correct. For instance, if the sentence needs a plural noun but instead you write a singular one, then the answer will be marked as incorrect.

How to Answer Sentence Completion in IELTS Listening?

To answer Sentence Completion in IELTS listening, you can follow the step-by-step process below. This will give you an idea of how to approach the Sentence Completion Listening IELTS question to identify the answers accurately:

Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully

Start by first reading the instructions and checking the word limit. These instructions might allow you to:

• ONE WORD ONLY: You are required to write one word in the answer.
• ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER: You can answer in a single word, a number, or both together.
• NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS: You are allowed to use up to two words.

Step 2: Scan the Sentences and Highlight the Key Words

Next, you can quickly scan all the sentences before the audio recording starts to understand what kind of information you will be looking for. Moreover, you can also highlight any information that you think is important. It will help you in anticipating the type of words which might be missing.

Step 3: Try to Predict the Answer

This is one of the most effective IELTS listening sentence completion strategies: you can try to predict what kind of words can fill the gaps in the sentences, along with their meaning and grammatical form. Doing this will make it much easier for you to recognise the correct answer when you actually listen to it in the recording. For example:

• Think about the meaning: Try to identify what the sentence is referring to.
• Check the grammar: Check which word type fits (noun, verb, adjective) and whether it should be singular or plural.

Additionally, you can also check for paraphrasing and synonyms, as what you may hear in the recording can be different from what actually is in the question.

Step 4: Review Your Answers to Make Sure They Are Accurate

Lastly, once you are done, make sure to check your answers for grammatical accuracy, spelling, and form. Mistake in this can lead to loss of marks even if your answer is correct. Additionally, there may be times when you might even have to change the form of the word if you think it fits the sentence. This is especially important when you’re practising with an IELTS Listening mock test, as it helps you develop accuracy and build confidence for the real exam.

IELTS Listening Sentence Completion Samples 

Now, let’s take a look at some IELTS Listening Sentence Completion exercise below. These will give you an idea of how the question might appear in the actual exam:

Sentence Completion IELTS Listening Sample 1

Questions 1–8

Complete each sentence using information from the audio.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

1. Clearly identifying the __________ is essential for running an effective workshop.
2. Arriving earlier than the __________ helps the facilitator stay composed.
3. Casual interaction at the start assists in __________ rapport with attendees.
4. The ice-breaking exercise remains a __________ approach.
5. The __________ for the day should be clearly stated and adhered to.
6. Participants may lose __________ during the second half of the session.
7. The chosen location should provide fully functional __________.
8. The workshop __________ should be displayed for guidance and clarification.

Audio Context

You will hear a talk by an experienced trainer explaining how to plan and conduct a successful workshop, highlighting key preparations and best practices.

Answers

• Objectives
• Participants
• Building
• Conventional
• Schedule
• Interest
• Facilities
• Ground rules

Sentence Completion IELTS Listening Sample 2

Questions 1–10

Complete the statements using information from the audio recording.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. Standardised language tests are designed to __________ a candidate’s ability to communicate in the target language.
2. Many candidates fail to adopt an effective __________ when preparing for language examinations.
3. Preparation materials should be selected __________.
4. For an English proficiency test, it is recommended to study books written by __________ authors.
5. Familiarity with the __________ of the test simplifies the preparation process.
6. Compared to other exams, language tests involve dealing with __________.
7. Language learning should be a continuous activity within the __________.
8. Practising for __________ hours per day is considered adequate.
9. When there is no penalty for incorrect answers, it is advisable to __________ as many questions as possible.
10. Test performance improves when the brain is supplied with sufficient __________.

Audio Context

The recording features a talk by an experienced language proficiency trainer sharing practical advice on preparing for entrance and language assessment tests.

Answers

• Assess
• Approach
• Carefully
• Native
• Nature
• Unseen material
• Mind
• Two / 2
• Attempt
• Oxygen

Sentence Completion IELTS Listening Sample 3

Questions 1–7

Complete each statement using information from the audio.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. Bungee jumping is described as both demanding and __________.
2. The guide has completed more than __________ jumps from the bridge.
3. Since it began operations, the company has not reported any __________.
4. Some people believe the sudden jerk during the jump may damage the back and __________.
5. The headfirst jump is recommended for __________.
6. Once the form has been signed, the company will not issue a __________.
7. The café on the bridge helps visitors escape the intense __________.

Audio Context

The recording features a talk by the manager of the Zambezi Adrenaline Company, who explains the bungee jumping experience and outlines the safety measures provided for participants.

Answers

• Dangerous
• Fifty / 50
• Casualty
• Eyeballs
• Beginners
• Refund
• Heat

Tips & Strategies to Solve the Sentence Completion IELTS Listening

Below are some IELTS listening sentence completion tips and strategies that you can follow for effective IELTS Preparation. Take a look:

1. Make the most of the initial 20 seconds: When the test starts, you get a short period before the recording plays. Use this time to skim the questions and instructions so you know what information to listen for.
2. Stay fully focused on the audio: To answer correctly, you must concentrate on the recording. Even small distractions can cause you to miss important details, and you won’t get another chance because the audio plays only once.
3. Practice doing multiple tasks at once: During the listening section, you must listen, read questions, understand the context, and write answers all at the same time. The more you practice and take IELTS listening practice test, the better you will become at managing these tasks together.
4. Remember that answers appear sequentially: The recording follows the same order as the questions. This means the response for question 1 will be given before the response for question 2, helping you stay on track.
5. Keywords may appear before or after the answer: Many people wait for keywords and assume the answer comes immediately after. However, the correct response could occur before or after the keyword, so keep listening carefully throughout.
6. Never leave a question blank: If you’re unsure, make a guess. It’s better to write something than to leave the answer empty.

Conclusion

Summing up, Sentence Completion in the IELTS Listening section is a very common question type that you can definitely improve with regular practice. The key is to stay focused, follow the recording closely, and always keep the word limit in mind. Avoid waiting only for exact keywords, as this can cause you to miss the correct answer. With consistent practice, you’ll gradually learn to predict answers and write them quickly and accurately. If you want extra support, Gradding.com’s IELTS online coaching provides structured lessons, a real exam-style IELTS listening test with audio and answers, IELTS mock test practice, and expert feedback. This complete approach helps build confidence and improve your score before test day.

FAQs

1. How do I Improve Listening for Different Accents?

The best way you can improve your listening skills for different accents is by consistently consuming diverse media like podcasts, movies, and news of different accents. You can take a look at the following resources:

• British: Use BBC News or podcasts like Luke’s English Podcast.
• American/Canadian: Listen to CNN, The Daily (New York Times), or the American English Podcast.
• Australian/New Zealand: Use ABC News (Australia) or the Aussie English Podcast. 

2. How Many Times Can I Listen to the Recording in IELTS Sentence Completion?

In the IELTS exam, all the recordings, including the one for Sentence Completion, are only played once, and you won’t be able to listen to them again or pause them.

3. What are the Common Mistakes Students Make in Sentence Completion?

Some of the most recurring mistakes that students make in IELTS Listening sentence completion are:

• Using incorrect verb conjugation or word forms.
• Getting confused by the speaker’s false information before they share the correct answer.
• Answering too soon without the full context or getting stressed by unfamiliar vocabulary.

4. How Many Words Can I Use in Each Blank for IELTS Sentence Completion?

The word limit for each blank of IELTS Listening sentence completion will be mentioned in the instructions themselves. For example, “Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”. It is important that you stick to the word limit in order to avoid losing marks.

5. How Can I Avoid Losing Marks On Sentence Completion?

To avoid losing marks in IELTS Sentence Completion, you can try to:

• Always read the sentence before the audio starts
• Identify keywords and synonyms
• Watch for word limits
• Don’t write full sentences, just the missing words
• Check grammar and spelling