Reading Academic- Session 4 – Fill in the gaps (FITG)

Overview about FITG

This is a Detailing form of question. FITG questions in the IELTS Academic Reading exam require you to complete a passage with the missing words, in other words, the missing pieces of information. The words are usually taken from the text to form sentences that make sense. You can write the answers in all capitals or lowercase.

There are four key elements of FITGs.

1. The missing words are always keywords.
2. Most possible answers: nouns (including names), verbs, adjectives, and numbers.
3. Less possible answers: adverbs.
4. Impossible answers: pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions.

FITGs can appear in all three parts of the IELTS Academic Reading test at varying levels of difficulty.

Tips:

• Apply all the Reading rules.
• DO NOT exceed the number of words allowed for each gap. If two words are allowed, you can write one word or two words, but not three words. If you write three words, the answer is considered incorrect.
• Put the same words that you see in the texts in the gaps in the traditional type, no changes are needed. In the advanced type, the word you choose should have the closest meaning to the word you find in the text. The grammar in the question always matches the grammar of the correct answer (correct word). For example, if you see “colours” in the text and determine that “colours” is the correct answer, put the exact word (“colours”) in the gap. There is no need to think about the grammar.
• Understanding what type of word (noun or verb, for example) is required for the gap can help you eliminate incorrect answers. For example, if you’re debating between “colours” – a noun – and “beautiful” – an adjective for the answer to a gap, but the gap requires a noun, “beautiful” is out. As a result, you can rule out “beautiful” as a possible answer. 
• Depending on the context of the question, you can eliminate the incorrect words. As a result, even if you do not understand grammar, you can still find correct answers.
• Both American spellings and British spellings are accepted.
• Always check your spelling after finishing the questions. Correct words but wrong spellings are still considered wrong answers.

Step-by-step strategy

Step 0: Look at the questions and identify the type of questions

Step 1: Read and memorize the first TWO questions

• Highlight keywords but keep in mind that these words might not appear in the text, instead, they might be replaced by synonyms.
• Memorize the meanings of the questions. 

Step 2: Read the text and find the answer to the first question

• Start reading from the beginning of what is left of the text. If these are the first questions of the first group of questions, read from the beginning of the text. If these are the first questions of a second or third group of questions, continue reading from where you left off.
• In most cases, the first answer will come first, followed by the second. If the second answer comes first, one of two things could have happened: you missed the first answer, or the answer is coming right after this. In this case, you must return to look for the first answer. If you still cannot find it, it means you will not be able to find it there. So, you should keep reading.
• Remember to mark the “location” of each answer, that is, which line and paragraph the answer belongs to.

Step 2 extra (for the advanced type): Choose the word from the list that has the closest meaning to the answer you have found.

Step 3: Reread the question you haven’t found answers to and read the third question

• If you have already found the first answer, you should go back and reread the second question to refresh your memory. If you have found the second answer, you should go back and read the first question.
• Highlight keywords and the meaning of the third question. Prepare for synonyms.

Step 4: Continue reading where you left off and mark the “locations” of answers

Step 5: Reread unanswered questions and read the next question after one question is done, until the last question

Step 6: Check spelling and word limit