Table completion questions in IELTS listening are quite common and can appear in any section of the listening test. Spend time preparing the headings and the predict the missing content of the table. Pay attention to the number of words possible for the answers. This listening exercise is a similar level to section 4 of the listening IELTS test.
Essential Tips for IELTS Listening Table Questions
Read the points below to learn how to tackle Table Questions in IELTS Listening. These questions are known as “Table Completion” questions.
- Tables can appear in any section of the IELTS Listening Test.
- However, they are most common in section 2 and section 4.
- Section 2 is based on social situations and is one person talking about a place, a service – something specific.
- Section 4 is based on an educational lecture. This is one person speaking who is giving a lecture. All lectures have introduction, middle (with main points and examples) and a conclusion.
- Both of these sections are often very structured in content which is why table questions are so suitable.
- However, tables can appear in Section 1 and 3 – but they are less common in those sections.
- However, they are most common in section 2 and section 4.
- The table will usually have a title.
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- This is useful because you will know what the table questions relate to.
- Table questions do not cover all questions for one single listening section. They will only cover about 5 questions out of 10 for that section.
- This means during the recording you might have to listen carefully to the information to know when to move to the table questions. The title will help you with this because it will tell you what the questions relate to.
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- Tables are organised logically and labelled with either rows, columns or both.
- You must read those headings carefully because they tell you the content of each question.
- The questions will come in order in the recording.
- Notice which direction the question take in the table – do the questions follow the rows or the columns? Notice this quickly so that you do not get lost during the listening.
- The recording will follow the organisation that exists within the table.
- Notice how the other answers are given already in the table. It shows you the type of answers you will need to write down. Often the answers do not require “a” or “the”. You can usually see this by the examples of information already given in the table.
- Always pay attention to how many words you can have for the answer. If it asks for no more than two words, it means you can have one word, two words but not three words.
- Spelling counts. You’ll lose marks if you spell the word incorrectly.
Practice Lessons for IELTS Listening Table
These practice lessons are at various levels of difficulty so that you have realistic practice for the difficult in different sections of the listening test. You can only listening once in the real test and you can’t pause the recording in your actual test. You will always have a short amount of time to read through questions and get familiar with the table before the recording starts.
Listening Table: Practice Lesson 1
The level of this listening table practice lesson is similar to a section 4 of the IELTS listening test.
Introduced species of the British Isles
Questions 1-5: Write no more than three words for each answer.
RECORDING:
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TABLE ANSWERS & TRANSCRIPT
Click below to read the transcript and see the answers.
The transcript is to be used for checking your answers and also reviewing the recording word for word after you complete the lesson to see precise why you got an answer right or wrong.
TRANSCRIPTIslands, such as the British Isles, can be adversely affected by the introduction of non-native species. Many species have been introduced to Britain during historical times. Some species have been introduced with no adverse consequences. However, others have had a severe impact both economically and ecologically.
One good example of an invasive species is the gray squirrel which, at the turn of the 20th century, was introduced into South Africa, Ireland, and England from North America. On mainland Britain, it has almost entirely displaced the populations of native red squirrels. Schemes have been introduced to control the population in Ireland to encourage the native red squirrels. In the wild, gray squirrels can be found living in large areas of mature, dense woodland. These forests usually contain large amounts of dense understory vegetation that provides them sufficient amount of food sources and favorable shelters. On very rare occasions, when their usual food sources are scarce, gray squirrels will eat insects and small birds. However, in general gray squirrels exist mainly on nuts and seeds. They even have a high enough tolerance for humans to inhabit residential neighborhoods and are known to raid bird feeders.
Among those species which have been introduced with little harm to the local ecosystem is the rainbow trout which is native only to the rivers and lakes of North America but its value as a hard-fighting game fish and tasty meal has led to its introduction throughout the world. Rainbow trout are gorgeous fish, with coloring and patterns that vary widely depending on habitat, age, and spawning condition. They are members of the salmon family and, like their salmon cousins, can grow quite large. They prefer cool, clear rivers and lakes and survive on insects and small fish.
Adapted from the following sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduced_species_of_the_British_Isles
- gray squirrel / grey squirrel
- you can have either US or UK spelling
- (mature) (dense) woodland / forest
- either word is fine
- seeds (and) nuts
- you can either have the word “and” or not. It isn’t common that the word and is included in an answer for IELTS listening.
- rivers (and) lakes
- insects (and) fish / insects small fish
- you could have:
- insects fish
- insects and fish
- insects small fish
.
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Listening Table: Practice Lesson 2
The level of this table listening lesson is similar to a section 2 of the IELTS Listening Test.
London Attractions
Questions 6-10: Write no more than two words and / or numbers for your answer.
RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT & ANSWERS
Click below to reveal the transcript and answers.
TranscriptLondon has uncountable attractions for first time visitors but for those of you looking for interest and history, Hampton Court Palace and Madame Tussauds are unmissable. Hampton Court Palace, which was the favourite royal residence of Henry VIII, boasts 60 acres of formal gardens as well as the famous maze and Great Vine. For adults the price for an entry ticket is 16.50 but a child’s ticket is 8.25 although if your child is under 5, it’s free. If you are only interested in the gardens rather than entering the court itself, then you can get a garden ticket only. It opens daily at 10 in the morning, last admissions are at 5pm and closing time is at 6.
Another popular favourite place to put on your London itinerary is Madame Tussauds. Filled with life size wax models of celebrities, there are 14 interactive zones as well as the amazing Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience. Why don’t you take a walk down the red carpet and strike a pose next your favourite film star. Tickets are 28.00 for an adult and 22.50 for all children. That may sound like a steep price but it really is a once-in-a-life-time experience. Doors open at 9.30 each morning and close at 5.30pm.
7. 10am 6pm (you need both answers correct)
8. 28
9. 22.50
10. 5.30pm
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RECOMMENDED
Dear Liz,
i wonder if it’s okay for me to answer like this “10.00am”, which writte as “10am” in your answer?
Hope you know what i mean.
In English, we don’t write 10am with extra zeros. We just write 10am.
Hello, Dear Liz.
I didn´t get the answer 6 about the child’s price. I answered 8.25, I´d heard free although. I didn´t understand the difference of them both. Could it be accepted the both answers?
As you see from the transcript, the recording said “…a child’s ticket is 8.25 although if your child is under 5, it’s free” and the table column heading requested that you give the price a child below the age of 5, so the only possible answer is “free”.
Hi Liz, Can I write “0” to be the answer for question 6? Thank you.
The word given in the recording is “free” not the word zero. You must always write the precise word used in the recording.
Good evening Liz, I love your teachings.
is it possible to use capital letters all through while writing your answers?
Capital letters are recommended for the paper based test because handwriting can be an issue. For the computer test, you can use them, but it isn’t needed because the issue of handwriting doesn’t exist. For the writing test, you should never use all capital letters. I’m glad you are enjoying my lessons 🙂
Hi Liz, I find your website very engaging and educative. For the first Section I wrote nuts and seeds instead of seeds and nuts, is this acceptable?
That would be acceptable.
Dear Liz, In Listening table, practice lesson 2,
for question no. 8, can we write 28 instead of 28.00?
Thank you
Yes, definitely.
Hello Liz, For the last question, will my answer be marked wrong if I write Insects & small fish? Is the 3 word rule very stringent? Will ” & ” account for a single word?
If you are required to write three words only, then do not add anything more than three words. The instructions are very specific. If you want to separate words, use a comma not a symbol for fourth word.
Hey Liz! You know, I am practising and appreciating you always, but your health is a concern and do not know how are you doing?
My best wishes and prayers are always with you, dearest teacher.
Love!<<3
Thanks
hi dear liz
Im using your page almost one month and each time there is just one question in my mind…… how a person could be as nice and and kind as you? your are God present to me….I really appreciate your great work
God bless you
many thank
You are very welcome. I’m glad you are enjoying my site 🙂
Liz ur lessons have been helpful and beneficial. I appreciate the fact that u are always concerned about those that wants to take IELTS exam.God will strengthen u.
Thanks for your kind message
Hi Liz, Thank you for these lessons. While doing the practice tests i noticed that instead of writing the whole word for ‘and’ i kept using the symbol ‘&’, first doubt is it ok to write the symbol and if it is, then will it be counted as an additional word.
Also, is £5 considered as 1 number or 1 word and 1 number. Please advice.
It is not acceptable to use that symbol as a replacement for the word “and”. However, using the pound sign is fine and “£5” is one word / one number.
Hi Liz,
I gave my ielts exam yesterday and I am confused whether £ 5 is correct or £ five is correct in listening question. £ was already there in sentence. Actually I don’t remember the instructions that it was one word only or one word/one number. Please help me which one is correct. Or both are correct depending upon instructions.
The instructions will always match the required answer. IELTS is a professional language test and there are never mistakes with instructions. If a number is an answer, a number will be possible in the instructions.
Yes correct. But I don’t remember whether I missed reading instructions properly. So could you please tell whether £five is correct or not in a sentence.
You will be marked on spelling. This means there is never a reason to write a number using letters. You should use the digit “5”. Use the word if you want, but I recommend you not to use it.
I have written £5 but the instructions were one word I think. In that case it’s wrong. 😣
Anyways thanks a lot Liz. God bless u.
I feel you haven’t understood. It is 100% impossible an IELTS test to have an answer which is a number without the “number” option in the instructions. This means you have not remembered the instructions correctly. It means the issue is only with your memory and it is something you should not worry about at all. If the answer is a number, there will always be an option to write the digit – always.
Thanks a lot dear Liz.
I cant believe it you’re doing all that for free, Liz your are amazing beautiful person, your page is very helpful, your lessons are incredibly fantastic.
God bless you
I’m glad the lessons are useful 🙂
Is it correct to write The Grey Squirrel as it does not exceed the word limit of 3 words?
Thank you!
It would be wrong. You do not use articles for tables unless the examples in the table already show that pattern.
Hi greetings mam,
For question no. 2 habitat’s of gray squirrel
Is it possible to write – wild instead of forest.
The word “wild” is not a place. The word “wild” is an adjective which means it is not a possible answer. In the expression “in the wild”, the word “wild” is a noun – but you would require the whole expression.
Hello Miss,
I would like to be sure if putting a comma in between the words “insect” and “small fish” for question 5, will it be marked as incorrect?
etc. insects, small fish
Thank you.
It would still be marked as correct. If you have put “and”, then it would be marked wrong. However, you don’t need to use commas for listening answers.
Thank you very much 🙂
Hi Liz. Thank u so much for covering all types of topics for IELTS exam. In this section Grey is correct or Gray is correct or both r fine.
IELTS will accept either US or UK spelling.
Hi Liz,
Is it okay to write the answers in a different order? I do not understand the system of IELTS therefore I thought it would be better to ask you and make sure I can write “nuts and seeds” instead of “seeds and nuts” as you said in the recording.
Thank you for this website and your help,
For these questions, it makes no difference what the order is. Also pay attention to whether you need the word “and” or not. If you put it in your answer and it is not required, the whole answer will be marked wrong.
Hey Liz, Is there any difference between Academic Listening n Gerneral Listening Test??
There is no special test for listening GT. All students take the same listening test. Both GT and Academic students take the same listening and speaking tests.
There’s no Recording available.
Nothing plays.
Check your internet connection – all my listening audios are streamed online.
Hello Liz Ma’am,
Its it ok to write ‘cool clear lakes’, or is that wrong.
Should we only write lakes or rivers?
I am greatful for your lessons.
Thank you.
It would be wrong.
Hi, Liz,
Is there any choice in IELTS exam. for British and American accent
No. There will probably be a range of accents.
1. Grey / Gray ( I understand both are correct?)
5. Insects & Small Fish (it is correct or not?)
You can’t use a symbol and you can’t write the word “and”. Three words – no more.
Hi Liz,’
If I’m writing answer as “insects small fish”, is it considered correct like this only.
Would putting a COMMA in between like “insects, small fish” make it wrong?
Regards,
Jayant
It’s fine to use a comma to separate the words if you want.
i heard Grace’s squirrel even i tried many times
Thought I was the only one.
Me too!hahaha
It is because of the words”grey squirrel”. Sound of “s” from the word squirrel was the reason for this.
Check out Liz’s site on Listening to Plurals. it might help.
Thanks
Me too!
Got every correct save the grace squirrel!
Hi Ma’am,
I want to ask if in case of feeling the need to improve a particular section of IELTS (e.g. Speaking), do we have to attempt the whole test all over again or is there an option available to attempt only that particular section with a low band score??
Kindly help.
Regards.
It isn’t possible to retake one module. You need to retake the whole test.
Thank a heap Ma’am.
Ever grateful for your immediate response and such kind concern. 🙂
Hi liz.o have an question can I have to start writing tasks 2 introduction with general lines or paraphrase the statement which one is the best one
Watch the free video lesson on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-how-to-write-an-introduction/ to learn how to write an introduction.
Dear Liz
Last question is insects and small fish but i answered insect small fish. My question is insect or insects, if insects it should be small fishes?
Sujit
Bangladesh
“fish” is usually an uncountable noun which means there is no “s” needed.
Hi Liz,
Can we write grey instead of gray.
Yes, both US and UK spelling is acceptable.
Yes, that’s fine.
Hi
Dear, what do mean by ” understory Vegetation ” ?
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-liz-news/
It would be useful if I could print the transcript….why is this not possible?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,
I have applied for the IELTS exam and have a good communication skill both written and verbal. But the only thing that is bothering me is my vocabulary. You can say i use simpler vocabularies and not very tough ones as such. I have gone through your written and speaking tests modules hence i am not sure whether i would be able to score a good band score or no.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Thanks a lot Liz
I am following you gladly
I used commas between “nuts, seeds”; “rivers, lakes”; “insects, small fish”. Is it correct? Thank you!
It not necessary to use commas. Just write the two words with a clear space between. However, your answer will still be marked correct even if you use commas.
Liz
Your website is very helpful.I finished answering all the reading practice and now I am on the listening questions.I have questions when it comes to the answer keys like I answered insects small fish.Idid not put the word and coz it only requires no more than three words.Can I use a comma instead just to separate it?
THANKS
You can use a comma if you want but it isn’t necessary. You only need to write the three words and nothing more.
Liz
Dear Madam, would it be accepted as a correct answer if I spelt ‘gray squirrels’ as ‘grey squirrels’? Thank you.
Yes, it is fine. One is American and one is British – both acceptable.
Liz
Hi Liz
Hope you well. All of your articles , videos & tips are so helpful that anyone one can trust only this website. I feel that you should have well paid . however for your kindness we all are benefited. I purchased road to IElTS from british council but comfortable with your lessons and instructions.
I have exam tomorrow morning ,please keep in your pray.
Good Job, Keep it UP.
Good luck. See my online writing task 2 lessons if you have time: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Liz
should’t grey squirrels be in capital letters like Grey squirrels just like Rainbow Trout ?
Logically you would think so but actually it isn’t spelled with capitals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel.
All the best
Liz
in that case can you stick with “GREY SQUIRRELS”? especially when all your answers from the beginning are in capitals?
Hey, I had the same question. So we can attempt the entire listening section in capital letters,right? Even if there are names etc?
Thanks mam.
Hello, Mam
Your tips are tremendous..
Thanks for this kind of help tips for IELTS..Its really help me a lot..:-)