Hello again — I’m Priya Sharma, IELTS Listening instructor at IELTS Zone.
By now you’ve already learned how to handle maps and matching tasks. The next type you’ll encounter in Section 2 is Table & Flow-Chart Completion in IELTS Listening.
Here, you listen to a single speaker who describes a sequence of facts, events, or steps — for example, a museum tour schedule, a membership process, or details about a public service. Your job is to fill missing information in a table or flow diagram correctly.
This task tests your ability to understand relationships between ideas and to identify specific details in logical order.
You’ll see an incomplete table or flow chart summarising the speaker’s information.
Example:
“Welcome to the City Heritage Tour. Let me explain the schedule for the day…”
Stage | Activity | Time |
1 | Meet at ______ | 9:00 a.m. |
2 | Guided walk around ______ | — |
3 | Lunch at the Museum Café | — |
You fill the missing words based on the audio.
Key facts:
The table format organises information by category (e.g., Time / Place / Activity).
The flow-chart format shows a sequence (e.g., Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3).
Before listening, spend the preview time (30 seconds) to:
Knowing the structure helps you anticipate what comes next in the monologue.
IELTS monologues use connectors that show sequence and transition. Listening for them is vital:
Function | Signal Words |
Starting a process | “First of all…”, “To begin with…” |
Next step | “Then…”, “After that…” |
Final step | “Finally…”, “At the end…” |
Change of focus | “Now let’s move on to…” |
When you hear these phrases, your brain should move to the next row or box in the chart.
Section 2 tasks usually describe everyday scenarios:
You’re listening for factual details like locations, times, prices, or steps in a procedure — all in clear, neutral English.
IELTS audio often includes corrections to test your focus.
“The meeting starts at 10 — no, sorry, make that 10:30.”
→ Correct answer: 10:30.
Stay alert until the sentence finishes before writing.
If you’re unsure, note both and finalise during transfer time.
Every answer must fit grammatically into the table or flow chart. For example:
Stage | Purpose |
2 | Provide ______ about local wildlife |
Correct answer → information, not inform or to inform. |
Always check the instruction line. If it says “ONE WORD ONLY,” do not add extra terms like “the museum gallery.” Just write gallery.
As with all IELTS Listening tasks, the audio uses synonyms rather than identical phrasing.
Question Word | In Recording You May Hear |
“price” | “cost” / “fee” |
“begin” | “start” / “commence” |
“visitors” | “guests” / “people who attend” |
Practise identifying equivalent expressions from Cambridge tests or British Council practice audio
Let’s imagine a public information talk about a local sports centre:
“First, we’ll meet at the reception area. After that, you’ll see the swimming pool on the left. Next, we’ll visit the new gym on the top floor. Finally, there’ll be time for questions in the café.”
Here, each transition corresponds to one step on your flow chart. If you track these markers, you’ll never get lost during the monologue.
Error | Why It Happens | Solution |
Writing too soon | Students guess before hearing the full sentence. | Wait for confirmation phrases like “that means…” |
Not understanding sequence | Losing track of where the speaker is in the process. | Highlight step numbers and arrows before audio starts. |
Breaking word limit | Adding articles or extra details. | Copy exactly as spoken within limit. |
Poor spelling | Common in names and places. | Practise dictation for UK place names. |
Day | Task |
Mon | Complete one Cambridge Table Completion test under timed conditions. |
Tue | Analyse signal words and sequence phrases from the audio. |
Wed | Listen to TED-Ed or BBC “Explainer” talks and draw flow charts. |
Thu | Do a mock test without pausing. |
Fri | Review errors and create a personal vocabulary sheet of process terms. |
After a week, you’ll find your brain automatically predicts the next step in any monologue
To sum up, Table & Flow-Chart Completion (Everday Context) in IELTS Listening tests your ability to:
Once you’ve mastered this type, you’re ready for Multiple Choice (One Speaker), the final question type in Section 2. Read it next at Multiple Choice (One Speaker).
Hello, I’m Emily Carter, IELTS Listening instructor at IELTS Zone. In this lesson, we’ll look at Multiple Choice (One Speaker) in IELTS Listening — a task you’ll usually encounter at the end of Section 2, where you listen to a monologue such as a short public announcement, radio talk, or information session.
Your goal is to choose the correct answer (A, B or C) based on what you hear. This sounds easy, but the speaker often mentions all three options, with subtle differences that test your comprehension of detail and attitude.
Let’s break down how to approach this question type strategically so you can score with confidence.
This task presents a single speaker talking about a topic — for example:
You’ll see a set of questions, each with three options (A, B, C).
Example:
What is the main purpose of the event?
A To raise money for charity
B To celebrate a local tradition
C To promote local businesses
Facts to remember:
You get about 30 seconds before the audio starts. Use this time to:
Example:
A focuses on charity → purpose
B focuses on culture → tradition
C focuses on economy → business
Anticipating these themes helps you identify the right option when the speaker paraphrases.
IELTS doesn’t repeat the exact words you see in the options. Here are examples of how they may be rephrased:
Option Keyword | Recording Equivalent |
raise money | collect funds / support a cause |
celebrate | mark / honour / recognise |
promote business | help shops gain attention |
Train your ear to catch the meaning, not just the word.
Sometimes the question asks what the speaker thinks or feels about something.
Tone clues like “fortunately,” “unfortunately,” or “surprisingly” signal attitude.
Example:
“The project wasn’t easy, but it’s been a huge success.” → Positive tone.
Notice emphasis and stress patterns — these often indicate the speaker’s real opinion.
IELTS recordings intentionally mention all options to mislead you.
Example:
“At first we planned to raise money for a local hospital, but the main goal is to celebrate our harvest festival.”
Here, raise money (A) is false; the correct answer is (B) celebrate a local tradition.
✅ Tip: Wait until the speaker finishes the sentence before deciding — corrections are extremely common.
When options are similar, ask yourself: “Which option fits the speaker’s main message?”
IELTS answers always match the speaker’s intention, not isolated phrases.
Example:
“The new centre has a bigger car park and a child-care area, but it was mainly built to provide space for community events.”
Correct option → To host public activities.
Write only the letter (A, B or C) on the answer sheet — not the full word.
Always double-check you’ve written the right number next to the right question.
If you’re taking the paper-based test, you’ll have 10 minutes to transfer answers. On computer-based tests, you get 2 minutes at the end. Review our Answer Sheet & Transfer Time Guide if needed.
Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
Choosing the first option you hear | Speaker mentions A then changes to B. | Wait for the final idea. |
Not reading the options clearly | Missing the difference between “main reason” and “extra benefit.” | Underline differences before listening. |
Guessing without logic | Selecting based on keywords only. | Focus on meaning and tone. |
Losing place in questions | Audio moves quickly. | Use a finger or cursor to track progress. |
Here’s a simple weekly routine I give my students:
Day | Task |
Mon | Complete one Cambridge Section 2 Multiple Choice set. |
Tue | Analyse each distractor — why was it wrong? |
Wed | Listen to a BBC radio segment and summarise main idea + supporting details. |
Thu | Practise paraphrase recognition — make a list of synonyms for keywords. |
Fri | Take a mock IELTS Listening test under timed conditions. |
This routine trains you to distinguish main points from supporting ones — exactly what IELTS expects.
Imagine a speaker describing a new public library:
“The new library is not just for borrowing books. It hosts workshops for local students and provides free computer access. However, its primary goal is to encourage young people to read more.”
Question: What is the main aim of the new library?
A. Provide internet access
B. Support education programmes
C. Promote reading among youth
Correct answer → C, because the speaker says “its primary goal.”
To summarise, Multiple Choice (One Speaker) in IELTS Listening tests your ability to:
Once you can confidently handle this question type, you’re ready to progress to Section 3, where multiple speakers discuss academic topics.
Continue with Multiple Choice (Group Discussion) to learn how to follow opinions and arguments in student–tutor conversations.
Hello again — I’m Priya Sharma, IELTS Listening instructor at IELTS Zone.
By now you’ve already learned how to handle maps and matching tasks. The next type you’ll encounter in Section 2 is Table & Flow-Chart Completion in IELTS Listening.
Here, you listen to a single speaker who describes a sequence of facts, events, or steps — for example, a museum tour schedule, a membership process, or details about a public service. Your job is to fill missing information in a table or flow diagram correctly.
This task tests your ability to understand relationships between ideas and to identify specific details in logical order.
You’ll see an incomplete table or flow chart summarising the speaker’s information.
Example:
“Welcome to the City Heritage Tour. Let me explain the schedule for the day…”
Stage | Activity | Time |
1 | Meet at ______ | 9:00 a.m. |
2 | Guided walk around ______ | — |
3 | Lunch at the Museum Café | — |
You fill the missing words based on the audio.
Key facts:
The table format organises information by category (e.g., Time / Place / Activity).
The flow-chart format shows a sequence (e.g., Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3).
Before listening, spend the preview time (30 seconds) to:
Knowing the structure helps you anticipate what comes next in the monologue.
IELTS monologues use connectors that show sequence and transition. Listening for them is vital:
Function | Signal Words |
Starting a process | “First of all…”, “To begin with…” |
Next step | “Then…”, “After that…” |
Final step | “Finally…”, “At the end…” |
Change of focus | “Now let’s move on to…” |
When you hear these phrases, your brain should move to the next row or box in the chart.
Section 2 tasks usually describe everyday scenarios:
You’re listening for factual details like locations, times, prices, or steps in a procedure — all in clear, neutral English.
IELTS audio often includes corrections to test your focus.
“The meeting starts at 10 — no, sorry, make that 10:30.”
→ Correct answer: 10:30.
Stay alert until the sentence finishes before writing.
If you’re unsure, note both and finalise during transfer time.
Every answer must fit grammatically into the table or flow chart. For example:
Stage | Purpose |
2 | Provide ______ about local wildlife |
Correct answer → information, not inform or to inform. |
Always check the instruction line. If it says “ONE WORD ONLY,” do not add extra terms like “the museum gallery.” Just write gallery.
As with all IELTS Listening tasks, the audio uses synonyms rather than identical phrasing.
Question Word | In Recording You May Hear |
“price” | “cost” / “fee” |
“begin” | “start” / “commence” |
“visitors” | “guests” / “people who attend” |
Practise identifying equivalent expressions from Cambridge tests or British Council practice audio
Let’s imagine a public information talk about a local sports centre:
“First, we’ll meet at the reception area. After that, you’ll see the swimming pool on the left. Next, we’ll visit the new gym on the top floor. Finally, there’ll be time for questions in the café.”
Here, each transition corresponds to one step on your flow chart. If you track these markers, you’ll never get lost during the monologue.
Error | Why It Happens | Solution |
Writing too soon | Students guess before hearing the full sentence. | Wait for confirmation phrases like “that means…” |
Not understanding sequence | Losing track of where the speaker is in the process. | Highlight step numbers and arrows before audio starts. |
Breaking word limit | Adding articles or extra details. | Copy exactly as spoken within limit. |
Poor spelling | Common in names and places. | Practise dictation for UK place names. |
Day | Task |
Mon | Complete one Cambridge Table Completion test under timed conditions. |
Tue | Analyse signal words and sequence phrases from the audio. |
Wed | Listen to TED-Ed or BBC “Explainer” talks and draw flow charts. |
Thu | Do a mock test without pausing. |
Fri | Review errors and create a personal vocabulary sheet of process terms. |
After a week, you’ll find your brain automatically predicts the next step in any monologue
To sum up, Table & Flow-Chart Completion (Everday Context) in IELTS Listening tests your ability to:
Once you’ve mastered this type, you’re ready for Multiple Choice (One Speaker), the final question type in Section 2. Read it next at Multiple Choice (One Speaker).
Get the latest IELTS grammar tips and practice materials directly to your inbox.
Your dedicated path to Band 7+ IELTS success. Master every skill with expert guidance and tailored…
