IELTS Reading Table Completion with Tips & Practice Tests

Zuhana

5 min read

Updated On Aug 21, 2024

IELTS Reading Table Completion involves filling the table blanks with words from a passage. Steps include reading instructions, skimming for keywords, and matching info. Practice and strategy are key to success.

IELTS Reading Table Completion with Tips & Practice Tests

What is IELTS Reading Table Completion?
Steps to Solve IELTS Reading Table Completion Questions
Tips to Solve IELTS Reading Table Completion Topics
Practice Test on IELTS Reading Table Completion
Answers

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IELTS Reading Table completion is one of the most common questions in IELTS Reading and IELTS Listening. They are quite easy to answer if test-takers are familiar with the IELTS reading table completion topics and know the right way to solve them.

In this blog, let’s discuss what table completion in IELTS reading table completion questions are with some examples, outline the steps to solve these questions and share some valuable tips and practice tests for great preparation.

Moreover, get hold of the IELTS reading table completion exercises PDF to boost your practice!

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What is IELTS Reading Table Completion?

IELTS Table Completion questions are given in IELTS Academic Reading as well as in the IELTS General Reading exam.

This type of question assesses the ability of the students to understand the main idea of the text and to identify relevant information from it by using IELTS Reading keyword techniques to complete a table.

Additionally, it evaluates the candidate's vocabulary and grammar knowledge, as they must find the correct word or phrase that fits the idea and the grammatical structure of the given question statement.

Example of IELTS Reading Table Completion

Now, let us check out what an IELTS table completion question in IELTS Reading looks like.

Steps to Solve IELTS Reading Table Completion Questions

Now it is time to learn how to solve the IELTS Reading table completion questions step-by-step while solving these questions in the IELTS Reading practice tests.

Let’s have a look!

Steps	Details
Step 1	Read all of the instructions cautiously. Even a small mistake can cost you marks. Be vigilant about the needed words to fill the gaps.
Step 2	See the table’s layout to know the main subject. Quickly go through the questions and passages to get an idea of the kind of information you would have to fill in the gaps.
Step 3	Scan for keywords and ideas. Skim and scan through the paragraphs and write down keywords and ideas next to every paragraph to find the information. For that, test-takers have to improve their IELTS vocabulary.
Step 4	Match the information perfectly. Go to the questions and choose the best keywords. Then, try to find them in the passage.
Step 5	Focus on paraphrasing and following the instructions. Keep in mind that you will also get some paraphrased sentences and synonyms. You must check the word limit while answering these.
Step 6	Double-check the answer. Once you complete filling in the blanks, it is important to verify that the answers are correct and adhere to any specified word limits. Don’t forget to check your IELTS Grammar too!

Tips to Solve IELTS Reading Table Completion Topics

Have a look at some of the top tips that you need to keep in mind when solving the questions on IELTS Reading table completion topics.

Make use of our above-mentioned step-by-step strategy that streamlines the questions of table completion.
Avoid panicking while taking the exam if you find anything unfamiliar; try solving questions using a step-by-step strategy.
The question order could be different from the given information in the reading passage.
Avoid using just the synonyms. Fill the gaps with all of the right words, or the answers will be marked incorrect.
Comprehend the word type that is missing in the answer, whether an adjective, an adverb, a verb or a noun. Tracing the right word will be much easier.
Try to find the matching meaning instead of finding the exact word.
First, find the location. And then figure out the details in the passage. Also, the sentence should be grammatically correct.

Practice Test on IELTS Reading Table Completion

Try taking the following practice tests on IELTS Reading Table completion topics and check the answers given below to test your understanding.

Practice Test

Read the text below and answer the questions.

The Construction of Roads and Bridges

By the early nineteenth century – the start of the railway age – men such as John McAdam and Thomas Telford had created a British road network totalling some 200,000 km, of which about one sixth was privately owned toll roads called turnpikes.

In the first half of the nineteenth century, many roads in the US were built to the new standards, of which the National Pike from West Virginia to Illinois was perhaps the most notable. In the twentieth century, the ever-increasing use of motor vehicles threatened to break up roads built to nineteenth-century standards, so new techniques had to be developed.

On routes with heavy traffic, flexible pavements were replaced by rigid pavements, in which the top layer was concrete, 15 to 30 centimetres thick, laid on a prepared bed. Nowadays steel bars are laid within the concrete. This not only restrains shrinkage during setting, but also reduces expansion in warm weather. As a result, it is, possible to lay long slabs without danger of cracking.

Questions 1 - 4

Complete the table below.

Use ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Time Period	Type of Roads
Early 19th century	Turn pikes also called as 1………… roads
First half of the 2………………. century	National Pike
20th century	flexible pavements were replaced by 3………….. pavements
Now	4……… bars are laid within the concrete

Answers

Time Period	Type of Roads
Early 19th century	Turn pikes also called as 1. toll roads
First half of the 2. nineteenth century	National Pike
20th century	flexible pavements were replaced by 3. rigid pavements
Now	4. steel bars are laid within the concrete

Explanation

For the first question, we find the answer in the first line which says “By the early nineteenth century – the start of the railway age – men such as John McAdam and Thomas Telford had created a British road network totalling some 200,000 km, of which about one sixth was privately owned toll roads called turnpikes”. So the answer is “Toll”.

For the second question, we find the answer in the second line which says “In the first half of the nineteenth century, many roads in the US were built to the new standards, of which the National Pike from West Virginia to Illinois was perhaps the most notable”. So the answer is “nineteenth”.

For the third question, we find the answer in the fourth line which says “On routes with heavy traffic, flexible pavements were replaced by rigid pavements”. So the answer is “rigid”.

For the fourth question. We find the answer in the fifth line which says “Nowadays steel bars are laid within the concrete”. So the answer is “steel”.

IELTS Reading Table Completion Exercises PDF

Get the IELTS Reading table completion exercises PDF for more practice tests. Make sure to check your answers once you complete them!

Download the FREE IELTS reading table completion exercises PDF now!

To complete the IELTS Reading Table Completion task, you need to have a mix of comprehension, vocabulary, and time management skills. By comprehending the structure, practising consistently, and implementing the advice provided in this blog, you can enhance your performance in this portion and increase your overall IELTS Reading score. Remember, consistent practice and a strategic approach are the keys to success.

Here are the 10 examples for the IELTS Reading Table Completion: