IELTS Listening: Table Completion
IELTS Listening table completion questions with strategies for tracking multiple categories of information simultaneously.
Overview
Table completion tasks present information in a grid format — typically comparing multiple items across several categories. These commonly appear in Sections 1 and 2. The challenge is tracking multiple parallel streams of information (e.g., name, cost, and duration for each of three courses) without losing your position in the table.
Sample Questions & Answers
Complete the table. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Course: Introduction to Photography | Duration: 8 weeks | Cost: _____ | Start date: 12 March
Course: _____ | Duration: 12 weeks | Cost: $145 | Start date: 5 April
Course: Web Development | Duration: _____ weeks | Cost: $210 | Start date: 19 March
Course: Creative Writing | Duration: 6 weeks | Cost: $75 | Start date: _____
Course: Data Analysis | Duration: 10 weeks | Cost: _____ | Start date: 2 May
Expert Tips
Before the audio, identify the categories in the table — they tell you what type of information to expect.
Table answers usually follow a row-by-row pattern — track which course or item is being discussed.
The speaker may introduce each new row explicitly: "Moving on to our second course...".
Dates, prices, and numbers are common table answers — practise writing them quickly.
If two rows are presented quickly without a clear signal, listen for the item name to anchor your position.
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