Hi everyone, I’m Priya Sharma, IELTS Listening instructor at IELTS Zone.
In this lesson, we’ll explore Flow-Chart / Table Completion (Academic) in IELTS Listening — one of the most structured and information-heavy tasks in Section 4.
Here, you’ll listen to a single academic lecture and fill in missing information in a table or flow chart. It tests how well you follow logical order, recognise relationships, and extract key facts from dense information.
This task presents a summary of the lecture in a visual format — either a flow chart (sequence of steps) or a table (categories of information).
Your goal is to fill each blank with the correct word(s) from the recording.
Example:
Lecture on Water Purification Process
Stage 1: Water collected from _______ sources.
Stage 2: Sent through filters to remove _______.
Stage 3: Stored for _______ testing before distribution.
Key facts:
Word-limit rules apply (e.g., NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER).
You have 30 seconds before the audio begins — use it well.
This early awareness saves time once the speaker begins.
Academic lectures for this task usually follow a process or classification pattern:
|
Type |
Example Topics |
|
Process |
Stages of recycling, how volcanic eruptions form |
|
Classification |
Types of renewable energy, methods of data collection |
When the topic involves steps or progression, expect a flow chart. When it’s a comparison of data or categories, it’s usually a table.
IELTS lectures include clear markers to guide you through each step or category.
|
Function |
Common Phrases |
|
Starting a process |
“First of all…”, “To begin with…” |
|
Moving to next step |
“Next…”, “Then…”, “After that…” |
|
Ending a process |
“Finally…”, “In conclusion…” |
|
Adding contrast |
“However…”, “On the other hand…” |
Each phrase signals a transition to the next answer in the sequence
The audio rarely matches the question text word-for-word.
|
In Question |
In Recording |
|
“source” |
“origin / place where collected” |
|
“testing” |
“examination / analysis” |
|
“advantage” |
“benefit / strength” |
|
“drawback” |
“disadvantage / limitation” |
Training your ear to connect these meanings improves accuracy dramatically.
“Water is stored for _______ testing.”
If the audio says “chemical safety testing,” correct answer = chemical (one word), not both.
Always re-read after writing to confirm it fits smoothly.
Section 4 frequently includes data — dates, percentages, or measurements.
Write numbers clearly (e.g., 50%, 2.5 litres).
If you hear “approximately,” write the number only, not the word.
To practise, listen to BBC Science or TED-Ed videos and note numerical references.
|
Mistake |
Why It Happens |
Fix |
|
Writing too early |
Guessing before confirmation |
Wait until the full sentence ends. |
|
Losing track |
Skipping boxes or arrows |
Use your pencil to track direction. |
|
Ignoring synonyms |
Expecting same words as question |
Focus on meaning, not phrasing. |
|
Spelling errors |
Complex academic vocabulary |
Keep a personal spelling list. |
|
Day |
Task |
|
Mon |
Complete one Cambridge Section 4 flow-chart test. |
|
Tue |
Review transcript and mark signal words. |
|
Wed |
Watch a TED-Ed process video, create your own flow chart. |
|
Thu |
Do a full-length IELTS Listening test under timed conditions. |
|
Fri |
Review mistakes and note recurring vocabulary. |
This rotation strengthens both process understanding and listening endurance.
Lecturer: “First, we extract the raw material from natural deposits. Then, it’s transported to the treatment plant for cleaning.”
Question: Stage 1: material extracted from _______.
✅ Answer → natural deposits
Each keyword is paraphrased naturally — “extract” = “remove,” “deposits” = “sources.”
To summarise, Flow-Chart / Table Completion (Academic) in IELTS Listening develops your ability to:
Once you’re confident with this task, move on to Summary Completion (Lecture Context) for full lecture comprehension and summarising practice.
Next, read Summary Completion (Lecture Context) to complete your Section 4 preparation.
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