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Fill in the gaps (FITG)
Overview about FITG
This is a Detailing form of question. FITG questions in the IELTS General Training 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.
- The missing words are always keywords.
- Most possible answers: nouns, verbs, adjectives, names, and numbers.
- Less possible answers: adverbs.
- Impossible answers: pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions.
FITGs can appear in all three parts of the IELTS GT Reading test at varying levels of difficulty.
In IELTS Academic Reading, there are different types of FITGs, but in IELTS GT Reading, only the traditional type is used, as shown in the examples.
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. No change is needed. The grammar in the question always matches the grammar of the correct answer (correct word). For example, if you see “colors” in the text and determine that “colors” is the correct answer, put the exact word (“colors”) in the gap. There is no need to think about the grammar.
- Understanding what type of word (noun or verb, for example) is needed for the gap can help you eliminate incorrect answers, but it is not absolutely required. For example, if you’re debating between “colors” (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 with wrong spelling 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 may not appear in the text, instead, they may be replaced with 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 or from 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 these two things could have happened: you’ve 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 3: Reread the unanswered question 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.
Fill in the gaps (FITG) - Traditional
Overview
“Fill in the gaps” (FITG) questions require you to listen carefully to the recordings and find words to fill in the gaps. This means you must find missing information to complete the sentences or phrases.
There is a limit to the number of allowed words, which is mentioned in the instructions for each part. The missing words are keywords of the sentences/phrases and the recordings.
- Most possible types of answers: nouns (including names), verbs, adjectives, and numbers.
- Less possible types of answers: adverbs, and pronouns.
- Impossible types of answers: prepositions, and conjunctions.
- Special symbols that come with numbers are considered a part of the numbers. For example, 20% is considered one number.
- You can write in all capitalized letters or lowercase letters.
This type appears throughout 4 parts of the Listening exam at different difficulty levels.
The traditional FITG
In this variety, you need to listen and pick words to complete the sentences and phrases. It can come in different ways, including Note and Form Completion, and Sentence completion.
Tips
- Answers appear in a sequential order, from the first to the last.
- Keep the same form of the words taken from the recordings.
- There will be at least one number if numbers are allowed.
- There will be at least one spelling question in which names are spelled out.
- Nouns and adjectives are most likely the answers. Verbs are also possible but less likely.
- Answers are normally common words. No academic words.
- Pay more attention to words before the missing information.
- The answer might be initiated by one speaker and confirmed by another speaker. So, if the information appears in a question by one person, the correct answer is confirmed in the response of another person.
Step-by-step strategy
Step 1: Analyze the questions.
- Pay more attention to words before the missing information because they indicate when the information will likely be mentioned in the text.
- Prepare for common synonyms of words (words with the same meaning).
- Highlight words if you feel more comfortable. However, it is not a must. (More in Common Mistakes)
- Guess the types of words that might fit the missing information based on grammar.
Step 2: Follow the flow of information
- Match the information that you hear and the information in the questions.
- Trace and mark the information as you hear.
- Ignore the information you already heard or missed regardless of order. Sometimes the order of information changes, e.g., ‘washing then boiling’ in the recording becomes “boiling after washing” in the question. (More in Common Mistakes.)
- The sequential order could be reversed a little. For example, sometimes question 4 comes before question 3 but the gap between them is very small, normally just right after question 4, you will hear question 3.
- Taking notes can help you follow the information flow better. (See Notetaking.)
Step 3: Answer the question either along with listening or after taking notes
- If you take notes when listening, you can refer to your notes later to answer the questions based on the information you have in your notes.
- If you don’t take notes, answer the questions right after you catch the information. Skip the questions you don’t catch the answer and move on to the next one.
Step 4: Check spelling and word limit
- Both American and British spellings are accepted.
- If the spelling is wrong, the answer is wrong.
- If the answer contains more words than is allowed, the answer is wrong.
- Sometimes, you can switch between singular and plural forms of words, depending on the grammar of the question sentences. So, the best option is to keep the same form you hear in the recording.
Trend Charts vs. Comparison Charts
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, it is common for you to get a chart/graph with details on it. No matter what form the chart is in, there are only 2 approaches: A trend chart report and a comparison chart report. Failure to identify correctly the type of chart will result in a massive reduction in your Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion scores.
Understanding the Trend Chart
Characteristics
- Focus: Illustrates the changes of one or more than one category over time.
- Representation: Typically presented in the form of a line graph, showing the rise, fall, or stability of a trend. However, it sometimes comes in the form of a bar graph.
- Common Elements: Time is often represented on the x-axis, and the value is on the y-axis.
Strategies for Analysis
- Identify Time Periods: Note the time intervals (days, months, years) represented on the x-axis.
- Highlight Peaks and Troughs: Identify high points (peaks) and low points (troughs) to understand the overall trend.
- Describe the Overall Trend: Mention whether the variable is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
- Note Any Anomalies: Identify any unusual fluctuations or sudden changes in the trend.
Cracking the Code of Comparison Charts
Characteristics
- Focus: Highlights the similarities and differences between two or more categories.
- Representation: Often presented as bar graphs, pie charts, or tables, with categories for comparison.
- Common Elements: Each category is represented separately, and the emphasis is on comparing values across categories.
Strategies for Analysis
- Identify Categories: Understand the groups or items being compared, often represented on the x-axis.
- Compare Values: Analyze the lengths of bars, proportions in pie charts, or numerical values in tables to compare the variables.
- Highlight Disparities: Point out significant differences or similarities between categories.
- Provide a Balanced Overview: Offer a brief summary of the main comparisons before delving into specific details.
Recognizing the Difference
Key Distinctions
- Trend Chart: Focuses on the changes of a category over time. The chart may include multiple categories.
- Comparison Chart: Emphasizes the similarities and differences between two or more categories within a specific time frame. Most tables and pie charts are comparison charts.
Strategies for Task Response
- Trend Chart: Emphasize the temporal changes and patterns observed over the given time periods.
- Comparison Chart: Highlight the variations and contrasts between different categories or groups.
The Structure of the Introduction
In the Introduction, you should introduce the examiners to the topic and establish their “expectations.” Examiners should have a clear understanding of what to expect from your essay after reading the Introduction.
The introduction is often overlooked in IELTS essays. However, the introduction determines how you will build your essay in the following sections. If you make changes to the Introduction, you must make changes to the rest of the essay as well. A good essay begins with a clear introduction.
A clear introduction must include the statement(s) and the core idea.
The statement(s)
You must paraphrase all the statements in the task in the statement section. It is recommended that you use different grammatical structures and synonyms of keywords that are in the original sentences. You are expected to have studied the Paraphrasing Technique before reading this part.
Attention: If you copy the whole given statements to your essay, it is considered “not having the statements”.
A lead is optional before the statements. The lead is a statement that introduces the subject to the examiners. When introducing a lead into your work, though, you must exercise caution. It frequently causes unnecessary information and wastes time. It may also cause you to repeat essay keywords. An example of a lead sentence is, “XYZ has become a contentious issue.”
The core idea
The core idea is the main idea of the whole essay. Every essay has only one core idea and it must be presented clearly in the introduction, after the statements. In other words, you are saying what you will do in this essay.
There are 2 options for presenting the core idea, depending on the kind of questions in the task.
- A direct answer to the question: If it is a yes/no question or a choosing question, you must give a clear and direct answer to state your opinion.
- The aim of the essay: Any other kinds of questions could be answered with “the aim” of the essay or a direct answer. When giving a direct answer in this case, pay attention to the consistency of essay ideas. If you change the core idea in the introduction, you will need to change the body paragraphs as well, and vice versa. If you decide to change the idea or add new ideas while writing the body paragraphs, you must also change the introduction.
Note: There must be consistency in ideas throughout the essay, starting from the core idea of the essay. Do not go beyond what is mentioned in the core idea.
Here are some suggestions to start presenting the core idea of the essay.
Example 1:
In many countries, an increase in crime has been blamed on violent images on television and in computer and video games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In many countries, the violent visual content on TV and in video games has been perceived as the reason for the rise in crime rates. From my perspective, I profoundly agree with this statement.
Example 2:
In many countries, young people are unemployed despite being educated. What are the reasons? What should be done about it?
In many countries, young generations are unemployed even though they are well educated. This essay aims to discuss the most striking reason behind this situation and propose a solution to tackle it.
Three rules for a good IELTS Speaking Performance
Rule #1: Be straightforward.
After the examiner has given you the question, directly answer it. You don’t have to “beat around the bush”. By directly giving your answer, you show the examiner that:
- you understood the question and what needs to be done;
- you have the English capacity to answer the question without having to think about related vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation.
After you have given a direct answer, you can explain it by adding more information.
You don’t have to answer the questions right at the second the examiner finishes asking. You can take a deep breath and then answer. But pausing too long may affect your score. See more in Common Mistakes.
Rule #2: Use the same grammar to answer the question.
When you give a direct answer, you should use the same grammar as the question in your answer. By doing this, you show the examiner that:
- you recognize the grammar and what needs to be done to answer the question properly;
- you can use this type of grammar correctly.
Example:
Question: Have you ever tried foreign food? (Present perfect tense, a yes/no question)
Answer: Yes, I have. (A direct answer with the same grammar) I am a curious person by nature, so I always want to try different things, including languages, cultures, traditions, and, of course, food. My favorite foreign cuisine is Chinese. (Explanation and example)
Rule #3: Always elaborate on the answers.
Elaboration comes in many ways. It can be an explanation of your answer or an example of your answer.
The idea is to never give a one-word answer, such as yes or no, or an answer that is too short, such as ‘I am a big fan of romantic movies.’