IELTS Reading: Sentence and Summary Completion
Updated 2 July 2026 · 2 min read · ieltspractice.app
Sentence completion and summary completion ask you to fill gaps with words from the passage. They test whether you can find specific information and copy it accurately. The good news is that the answers are in the text, so you do not invent anything. This guide shows you how to find them and avoid losing easy marks.
What these questions ask
You are given sentences or a short summary with gaps. You fill each gap with words taken from the passage.
There is usually a word limit, such as "no more than two words". Breaking this limit makes the answer wrong even if the meaning is right.
Predict the missing word
Before you search, look at the gap and decide what kind of word fits: a noun, a verb, an adjective, or a number.
This prediction narrows your search. If the gap needs a noun, you can ignore words that are clearly not nouns while you scan.
Find the answer with paraphrase in mind
The sentence or summary usually paraphrases the passage, so look for the same idea in different words, not the exact wording.
Once you find the matching part of the text, the missing word is usually right there. Read around it carefully to be sure it fits the grammar of the gap.
Copy exactly and respect the limit
Spell the word exactly as it appears in the passage. A spelling mistake makes the answer wrong.
Count your words. If the limit is two words, never write three. Contractions and hyphenated words follow the test instructions, so read them.
Check the grammar of the gap
The completed sentence must be grammatically correct. If your word makes the sentence read strangely, it is probably wrong.
For summary completion, make sure the whole summary still makes sense once your word is in place. This is a quick, reliable check.
Quick check
Test yourself — tap an answer to see if you are right.
1. What should you do before searching for the answer?
2. The limit is two words. How many can you write?
3. How should you write the answer word?
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the words from the passage?
No. You must copy the words exactly as they appear, including spelling. Changing the form usually makes the answer wrong.
What happens if I go over the word limit?
The answer is marked wrong, even if the meaning is correct. Always count your words and follow the limit in the instructions.
How do I find the right part of the passage?
Look for a paraphrase of the sentence or summary, not the exact words. The answer is usually near the matching idea.
Should I predict the word type first?
Yes. Deciding whether the gap needs a noun, verb or number before you search makes it much faster to find the answer.
Sources
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