Hi, I’m Hiroshi Tanaka, and as an IELTS Reading strategist, I’ve found that Summary Completion questions are one of the best tests of comprehension and precision.
In this task, you summarise part of the passage using exact words from the text. To achieve Band 7+ and beyond, you must combine vocabulary recognition, grammar awareness, and logical reading. In this lesson, I’ll guide you through how to interpret summaries effectively, identify answer zones, and avoid common traps.
You’ll be given a short passage summary with blank spaces, which you must fill using words from the reading text. The summary focuses on one or more paragraphs, not the whole passage.
Example:
Complete the summary using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.
“The study found that people who slept less than six hours a night were more likely to suffer from _______.”
✅ Answer: memory loss
The information appears in order in the passage, making scanning easier once you know how to locate the section.
Summary Completion checks whether you can:
It combines the skills of skimming, scanning, and contextual grammar.
1️⃣ Read the Instructions Carefully
Underline the word limit (e.g. “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).
You must respect this rule — three words instead of two = wrong, even if correct in meaning.
2️⃣ Read the Summary Before Reading the Passage
Skim the entire summary first to understand its topic and scope. Predict what type of information each blank needs — a noun, adjective, verb, or number.
Example:
“The scientists discovered that ______ improved the accuracy of results.”
→ Expect a noun, e.g., new equipment.
3️⃣ Identify Clue Words
Underline unique names, dates, or terms in the summary — these help locate the relevant section in the passage.
4️⃣ Scan the Passage in Order
Answers appear sequentially. Start from the first clue word and read downward through the passage until you find a matching idea or paraphrase.
5️⃣ Confirm Grammar and Meaning
Check that your selected word(s):
Always copy directly from the passage with the same spelling.
Instructions: NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
Summary:
“The study showed that older adults who played strategy-based games experienced an improvement in ______ and decision-making.”
Passage Extract:
“According to researchers, activities such as chess and puzzles enhanced memory and problem-solving skills among participants.”
✅ Answer: memory
The answer fits grammatically (“improvement in memory”) and matches the passage meaning exactly.
Summary Phrase | Likely Paraphrase in Passage |
“the reason for” | “due to,” “because of” |
“a rise in” | “an increase in” |
“helps to” | “contributes to,” “leads to” |
“a result of” | “caused by,” “produced by” |
“main advantage” | “primary benefit,” “key strength” |
Train to recognise these shifts — they are the backbone of IELTS Reading
Mistake | Why It Happens | Solution |
Using synonyms instead of original words | Misunderstanding the rule | Always copy directly from the text |
Ignoring grammar structure | Word doesn’t fit the sentence | Check if a noun/adjective is required |
Missing plural forms | Not matching number in text | Copy exactly: child ≠ children |
Exceeding word limit | Writing unnecessary words | Double-check before transferring answers |
Read around the blank and notice context clues — what comes before and after it.
2️⃣ Predict part of speech:
Example:
“The experiment proved that the new vaccine was ______ in reducing infection rates.”
→ Expect an adjective like effective.
Quick Practice
Text:
“Participants who consumed more fruit reported higher energy levels during the day.”
Question:
Eating more fruit increased ______.
✅ Answer: energy levels
Allocate 1 minute per blank. If there are six blanks, finish in about 6–7 minutes.
Answers are sequential, so finding one helps you locate the next quickly.
Band 8–9 candidates do not guess; they confirm the answer through both grammar and context. They also note that summary blanks often come from the middle or end of paragraphs, not the first sentence — that’s where key results and effects usually appear.
To succeed in Summary Completion, practise identifying paraphrases, predicting answer types, and maintaining absolute word accuracy. Use official practice tests to build confidence under real timing.
Next, continue with Note / Table / Flowchart Completion to strengthen your ability to interpret structured information.
Or revisit the IELTS Reading Skills & Exam Strategy page for your full Reading foundation.
For authentic examples, visit the British Council IELTS Reading Practice Tests site.
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