📘 Part 1: What is Sentence Completion Question Type in IELTS Academic Reading?
Sentence Completion is a common question type in the IELTS Academic Reading test. In this type, you are given a set of incomplete sentences, and you must fill in the missing information by choosing words directly from the reading passage.
🔍 Key Features:
You must use words taken directly from the passage.
The number of words you can write is strictly limited (usually NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER).
The sentences usually paraphrase parts of the reading passage.
The questions typically follow the order of the text, making it easier to locate the answers as you read.
📌 Typical Instructions Look Like This:
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 5–10 on your answer sheet.
🧠 Skills Tested:
Skimming and scanning for specific information.
Understanding paraphrased language.
Attention to grammatical accuracy, so the sentence makes sense once completed.
Time management, since you must locate precise words quickly.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Writing more words than allowed (e.g., three words when only two are permitted).
Changing the form of the word (e.g., plural instead of singular).
Copying incomplete phrases or incorrect parts of the text.
Assuming meaning rather than verifying with the passage.
🧾 Why It’s Challenging:
This question type requires careful matching between the sentence and the passage, especially when synonyms or paraphrases are used. Even if the sentence and the text describe the same idea, the wording may differ, making it harder to identify the correct answer without a careful read.
📘 Part 2: How to Approach Sentence Completion Questions in IELTS Academic Reading (Step-by-Step with Examples)
Successfully answering Sentence Completion questions in IELTS Academic Reading requires a strategic approach. Below is a step-by-step method to help you locate and write the correct answers, followed by a complete example with explanation.
✅ Step-by-Step Strategy
🔹 Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
Note the word limit. For example:
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
Stick strictly to the word count and format rule.
🔹 Step 2: Read the Incomplete Sentences
Try to understand the context and predict what type of word is missing (noun, verb, number, etc.).
Highlight or underline keywords in the sentence.
🔹 Step 3: Locate Keywords in the Passage
Use the keywords from the question to scan the passage.
Be aware of synonyms or paraphrases that may be used instead of the exact words.
🔹 Step 4: Read Around the Located Information
Read the sentence before and after the matching part in the passage.
Ensure full understanding of the context to avoid misinterpretation.
🔹 Step 5: Select the Exact Words from the Passage
Do NOT change the words. Copy them exactly as they appear.
Make sure your choice fits grammatically in the sentence.
🔹 Step 6: Double-Check Word Count and Meaning
Confirm that the number of words is within the limit.
Make sure the sentence makes grammatical and logical sense once the answer is filled in.
📘 Example with Explanation
📄 Sample Passage (Excerpt):
Many modern cities have developed underground rail systems to reduce traffic congestion and improve commuting efficiency. The first subway system was established in London in 1863, marking a new era of urban transportation.
📄 Sentence Completion Questions:
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage.
The main goal of underground rail systems is to reduce __________.
The first subway system began operating in __________.
The city where the first subway system was built is __________.
✅ Answer Breakdown and Explanation
🟦 Question 1:
Sentence: The main goal of underground rail systems is to reduce __________.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: main goal, underground rail systems, reduce
Locate in passage: “…underground rail systems to reduce traffic congestion…”
Correct answer: traffic congestion
✔️ Answer: traffic congestion
🟦 Question 2:
Sentence: The first subway system began operating in __________.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: first subway system, began operating
Locate: “…first subway system was established in London in 1863…”
Time it started: 1863
✔️ Answer: 1863
🟦 Question 3:
Sentence: The city where the first subway system was built is __________.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: city, first subway system, built
Locate: Same sentence – “…established in London in 1863…”
City: London
✔️ Answer: London
🧠 Summary of Tips:
| Step | Tip |
|---|---|
| 1 | Always obey word count limits |
| 2 | Identify keywords in the question |
| 3 | Scan the passage for synonyms |
| 4 | Read carefully around the keyword |
| 5 | Copy exact words from the passage |
| 6 | Ensure grammatical correctness |
📘 Part 3: IELTS Academic Reading Passage with Sentence Completion Questions
Below is a full-length Reading Passage (Part 2 or 3 level) that includes Sentence Completion Questions, designed to mimic the IELTS Academic test style.
📰 Reading Passage Title: The Rise of Electric Vehicles
Over the past two decades, electric vehicles (EVs) have transitioned from niche products to mainstream transportation solutions. This shift has been fueled by rising environmental concerns, technological advancements, and government policies that support low-emission alternatives.
One major factor contributing to the popularity of EVs is the improvement in battery technology. In the early 2000s, electric cars typically had a range of less than 100 kilometers per charge. Today, however, modern EVs can travel over 400 kilometers on a single charge, making them more practical for everyday use.
Additionally, many governments around the world have introduced subsidies and tax incentives to promote the adoption of EVs. In countries like Norway and the Netherlands, these policies have resulted in EVs making up more than half of all new car sales. In contrast, adoption has been slower in regions where such incentives are minimal or absent.
Infrastructure development is another critical element in the rise of electric mobility. The expansion of charging networks, especially in urban centers and along highways, has helped reduce the anxiety associated with running out of charge. Companies such as Tesla, ChargePoint, and others have invested heavily in fast-charging stations to support long-distance travel.
Critics argue, however, that the environmental benefits of EVs depend significantly on the energy sources used to generate electricity. In regions where coal is still a primary energy source, the overall carbon footprint of electric cars may not be significantly lower than that of conventional vehicles. Nevertheless, as the global energy mix continues to shift toward renewables like solar and wind, the long-term outlook for EVs remains positive.
📝 Sentence Completion Questions
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1–6 on your answer sheet.
In the 2000s, electric cars could only travel under __________ per charge.
Improvements in __________ have helped increase the driving range of electric vehicles.
Norway and the Netherlands provide __________ to encourage people to buy EVs.
The anxiety of running out of power has been reduced by expanding __________.
Some people say the environmental benefit of EVs depends on the __________ used.
The long-term outlook for electric vehicles is promising due to increasing use of __________.
📘 Part 4: Step-by-Step Explanation of Sentence Completion Answers
Let’s go through each Sentence Completion question from Part 3 and explain how to find the correct answers using a step-by-step strategy.
✅ Question 1:
Sentence: In the 2000s, electric cars could only travel under __________ per charge.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: 2000s, electric cars, travel under, per charge.
Scan the Passage: Look for any mention of the 2000s and electric car range.
Locate the Text:
“In the early 2000s, electric cars typically had a range of less than 100 kilometers per charge.”
Matching Phrase: “less than 100 kilometers”
Correct Answer: ✅ 100 kilometers
✔️ Answer: 100 kilometers
✅ Question 2:
Sentence: Improvements in __________ have helped increase the driving range of electric vehicles.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: Improvements, increase driving range, electric vehicles.
Scan the Passage: Focus on factors that improved EV range.
Locate the Text:
“One major factor contributing to the popularity of EVs is the improvement in battery technology.”
Link to Range: Battery technology directly affects driving range.
Correct Answer: ✅ battery technology
✔️ Answer: battery technology
✅ Question 3:
Sentence: Norway and the Netherlands provide __________ to encourage people to buy EVs.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: Norway, Netherlands, encourage, buy EVs.
Scan the Passage: Look for policies in these countries.
Locate the Text:
“…many governments around the world have introduced subsidies and tax incentives to promote the adoption of EVs. In countries like Norway and the Netherlands, these policies have resulted in EVs making up more than half of all new car sales.”
Paraphrased Keywords: “subsidies and tax incentives” = policies to encourage buying EVs.
Correct Answer: ✅ subsidies
✔️ Answer: subsidies
✅ Question 4:
Sentence: The anxiety of running out of power has been reduced by expanding __________.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: anxiety, running out of power, expanding.
Scan the Passage: Look for solutions to charging issues.
Locate the Text:
“The expansion of charging networks, especially in urban centers and along highways, has helped reduce the anxiety associated with running out of charge.”
Matching Phrase: “charging networks”
Correct Answer: ✅ charging networks
✔️ Answer: charging networks
✅ Question 5:
Sentence: Some people say the environmental benefit of EVs depends on the __________ used.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: environmental benefit, depends on, used.
Scan the Passage: Look for criticism or concerns.
Locate the Text:
“Critics argue, however, that the environmental benefits of EVs depend significantly on the energy sources used to generate electricity.”
Matching Phrase: “energy sources”
Correct Answer: ✅ energy sources
✔️ Answer: energy sources
✅ Question 6:
Sentence: The long-term outlook for electric vehicles is promising due to increasing use of __________.
Step-by-step:
Keywords: long-term outlook, promising, increasing use.
Scan the Passage: Look toward the end for future projections.
Locate the Text:
“…as the global energy mix continues to shift toward renewables like solar and wind, the long-term outlook for EVs remains positive.”
Matching Concept: “renewables” (solar and wind are examples)
Correct Answer: ✅ renewables
✔️ Answer: renewables
📊 Answer Summary Table
| Question | Answer | Located Phrase in Text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 kilometers | “less than 100 kilometers per charge” |
| 2 | battery technology | “improvement in battery technology” |
| 3 | subsidies | “subsidies and tax incentives” |
| 4 | charging networks | “expansion of charging networks… reduce the anxiety” |
| 5 | energy sources | “benefits… depend… on the energy sources used” |
| 6 | renewables | “shift toward renewables like solar and wind… outlook… remains positive” |
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