IELTS READING: SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
The Summary Completion question type in the IELTS Reading section requires you to fill in missing words in a short passage summary. The summary may relate to part of the text or the entire passage. You must use words from the passage only, and the word limit is usually specified (e.g. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS).
This question type tests your skimming, scanning, and paraphrasing skills. Below are key tips, techniques, and common mistakes to avoid when attempting this question.
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
✅ 1. Understand the Question Format
In this task, you are given a short summary of information taken from the reading text, with gaps that need to be filled. The summary follows the same order as the text. You may need to write:
– Only one word
– No more than two words
– No more than three words
– Sometimes, a number (e.g. a date, percentage)
Tip: Always check the word limit. Writing more words than allowed will result in no marks, even if the meaning is correct.
✅ 2. Read the Summary First, Not the Passage
Before reading the entire passage, read the summary carefully. This gives you an idea of what information you are looking for and what part of the passage to focus on.
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
Look for:
– Keywords in the summary
– Grammar clues to guess word types (noun, verb, adjective)
– Logical flow of ideas
✅ 3. Identify and Underline Keywords
In both the summary and the passage, keywords will help you locate answers quickly. Keywords are often nouns, dates, numbers, names, or topic-specific words.
Tip: Words in the summary are usually paraphrased in the passage. For example, the summary might say “children,” while the passage says “youngsters” or “minors.”
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
✅ 4. Use Scanning to Locate Information
Once you identify keywords in the summary, use scanning techniques to locate the relevant section of the passage. Move your eyes quickly over the text, searching for the same words or synonyms.
✅ 5. Use Grammar and Logic to Choose the Correct Word
The word(s) you choose must:
– Fit grammatically in the sentence
– Match the meaning required by the context
Tip: Read the sentence aloud with the chosen word. If it sounds grammatically incorrect or unnatural, it’s probably the wrong word.
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
✅ 6. Answers Appear in Order
One major advantage of summary completion is that the answers appear in the same order as the passage. Once you find the answer to one gap, you can read forward to find the next.
✅ 7. Follow the Word Limit
If the instruction says NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, and your answer has three, it is automatically incorrect.
Tip: Don’t add extra words like “the,” “a,” or “and” unless needed grammatically and allowed by the limit.
✅ 8. Don’t Rely on Memory
Do not guess based on what you remember from the passage. You must locate and copy the exact word(s) from the passage within the limit.
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
✅ 9. Check Spelling and Word Forms
Spelling mistakes will lead to incorrect answers. Also, ensure the word is in the correct form (singular/plural, verb tense, etc.) to match the grammar of the summary.
✅ 10. Practice with Timing
Summary Completion questions can be tricky, so practise under real exam conditions. Aim to spend no more than 1-1.5 minutes per question.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Writing more words than allowed
– Guessing without finding the words in the passage
– Copying from memory
– Ignoring grammar structure
– Misspelling words
Paraphrasing is key. Learn to spot how words in the summary are paraphrased in the text. This improves both your reading and your vocabulary.
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS
SUMMARY COMPLETION TIPS