Example:

Source: Cambridge IELTS 11, Test 3 – Listening, Section 1, Questions 7 – 10

Strategies:

1. Check the word limit
2. Look at the title for the main idea
3. Examine the gaps and try to predict what kind of information is needed:
   • Word: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc. For nouns, look at the grammar so that you can guess whether a singular or plural noun is missing.
   • Number: figure, time, date, month, year, etc
4. The key words around the gaps are almost always paraphrased, so think ahead of possible synonyms or equal expressions of those
5. Fill the gaps as you listen
6. Double check
   • Word limit
   • Grammar: read the entire sentence to see if the information your write fits in the gaps in terms of both meaning and grammar
   • Spelling

Notes:

• Complete the sentences with the exact words that you listen from the recording. You must not change the word form/ order whatsoever.
• When it comes to nouns, listen carefully to check if you hear any ‘s’ sound at the end.