IELTS Listening Note Completion Practice Test

In this task, you’ll listen to an audio and fill in the blanks in the notes. The notes will include a summarised part of a lecture, a conversation, or an announcement. All you should know is as follows:

• Audio Context: Topics range from academic discussions to everyday situations like making hotel reservations or setting up a meeting.
• Note Style: Key elements are typically highlighted in bullet points or outlines.
• Word Limit: Be mindful of the allotted word count.

Below are two note-completion questions taken from previous IELTS listening tests.

Sample Question 1 –

Source - Cambridge English test paper

The recording for the above sample question is regarding the several events and activities that are planned for the Kenton Festival. Participants inquire about specifics including event locations, schedules, ticket costs, and special features. Information on the various performances, workshops, food vendors, and cultural displays that will be accessible throughout the festival period is provided by the organizers.

Sample Question 2 –

Source - Cambridge English test paper

The recording for this sample question concerns Paul, who calls Susie, who works at a newly reopened library. They discuss the library's free membership, various facilities, including travel and history books, activities for children, adult events, IT support for seniors, and a free medical check-up service. Paul plans to join the library with his children and asks about parking, which is free in the evenings and weekends.

Refer to the below step-by-step guide to better understand how to answer the Note Completion task in the IELTS Listening section to a familiar topic: public libraries. This subject frequently involves discussions on events, facilities, membership information, and borrowing policies. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you approach it.

1. Analyze the Question Before Listening

Take a moment to read the notes and instructions.

Notes might include:

• Membership Fee: _______
• Borrowing Limit: _______
• Next Event: _______.

Example --If the blank says “Membership Fee,” you’re likely listening for a currency value, such as "10 pounds" or "free for students."

2. Listen Actively During the Recording

Focus on important details as the audio progresses. You can listen for:

• Cues like “the fee for adults is…” or “you’re allowed to borrow…” help pinpoint answers.
• Synonyms are often used: “No cost” for “free” or “loan duration” for “borrowing limit.”

Example --The recording might say: “The annual membership fee for adults is twenty pounds, while students don’t pay anything.” Here, the blank for Membership Fee should be "20 pounds" if adults are the focus.

3. Write Answers While Listening

Write your answers simulateously to avoid missing them. When the audio mentions multiple details, note them quickly. For example:

• “Adults pay 20 pounds, children pay 10, and students are free.”
  If the blank specifies children's membership fee, ensure you write "10 pounds."
  Example -- If the audio states, “The next event is the book fair, scheduled for 15th March,” the answer for Next Event would be “book fair” and “15th March.”

4. Manage Missed Information

It’s okay to miss some details when listening to a recording, Do not panic. Here;s what you can do:

• Move on to the next blank immediately. As the answers are in sequence
• Use context clues from the notes to write an answer later.
  Example : If you miss “The borrowing limit is five books,” move on to the next blank about late fees. During review time, revisit your notes and guess based on common borrowing rules.

5. Review and Transfer Answers

After the recording ends, use the time wisely to review your work. You should check for:

• Spelling (“library” instead of “libary”).
• Word limits ("20 pounds" instead of "20 British pounds sterling" if two words are allowed).
• Grammar accuracy (“15th March” fits, but “15 Marchth” doesn’t).
  Example -- When transferring the answer for Borrowing Limit, ensure it matches the singular or plural format of the blank (e.g., “5 books” or “five books”).

The Note Completion task in IELTS Listening sometimes poses challenges with accuracy, focus, and comprehension. Your performance will significantly improve if you understand these difficulties and use practical solutions to overcome them. The following table lists the typical problems encountered when completing the Note Completion task, along with solutions to overcome them: