Sentence completion requires you to find a word or words from the passage that complete a sentence. The answer is almost always a direct lift from the text — your job is to find the right section and identify exactly which words fit grammatically and semantically.
Examples
Weak
AvoidParaphrasing the answer in your own words, or taking too many words from the passage.
Stronger
BetterFinding the relevant section using keywords from the incomplete sentence, then identifying the exact word(s) that complete it grammatically within the word limit.
The word limit ("NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS") is strict. One extra word = wrong answer. Always count before writing.
How It Works
The three-step method
- Identify the gap type: what part of speech is missing? (noun, verb, adjective, number)
- Locate in the text: use the non-gap words as search keywords.
- Extract exactly: copy the word(s) from the text — do not paraphrase.
Gap type clues
- After "a/an" → singular noun.
- After "to" → verb (infinitive).
- After "very/extremely" → adjective or adverb.
- Before "of/in/at" → noun or noun phrase.
Word limit check
Quick rules
- Always write the answer from the text — never paraphrase.
- Count your words — every time, without exception.
- Articles (a, an, the) count as words — include them only if grammatically required.
Common Mistakes
Exceeding word limit
AvoidLimit: ONE WORD. Text says "significant decline." Candidate writes: "a significant decline" (3 words).
BetterCorrect answer: "decline" — the adjective and article are within the gap context already.
Fix: Reread the sentence with your answer inserted. Count words. If over limit, reduce to the core noun or verb.
Paraphrasing the answer
AvoidText says "decreased." Candidate writes "went down" (their own words).
BetterCorrect answer: "decreased" — take it directly from the text.
Fix: Sentence completion answers are always a direct lift. Synonyms from your own vocabulary are wrong.
Practice Lab
Self-mark each task. Retry until every answer is correct.
Score: 0/3
1. Quick pick
The gap reads: "Scientists discovered that the temperature _____ by 2 degrees." Text says: "...researchers found the temperature had fallen by approximately 2 degrees." What is the correct ONE WORD answer?
2. Build it
Put the sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it between the bank and answer area.
3. Sort it
Sort each item into the correct category.
Copy the exact word(s) from the passage into the gap.
Use a synonym if the passage word sounds too simple.
Count the words in your answer before writing it.
Write the full phrase from the text even if it exceeds the limit.
Why It Matters
Sentence completion is among the most mark-dense question types in IELTS Reading. Exceeding the word limit by even one word scores zero — a completely avoidable loss. Candidates who practise counting words before writing and lifting directly from the text consistently outperform those who rely on memory of what they read.
Get Feedback
Personalized score feedback
Get clear next-step advice.
Choose the support that matches your study goal.
Related Strategy Guides
Use these focused pages to go deeper on the exact test task behind this lesson.
Get free Band 7+ strategies every week
Get free Band 7+ strategies every week