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IELTS Reading Question Type
Completing a Table and Flowchart

Information

Complete the gaps in the table and flowchart with a word/word or a number/numbers from the text.

 

Despite the difference in layout, completing a table and flowchart are very similar in terms of task, skills required and strategies. 

Example: Table

IELTS Reading Complete Table

Example: Flowchart

IELTS Reading Flowchart

Strategies & Tips

  • Start by speed reading or skimming the text first. This will give you a good idea about what information is contained in each section or paragraph.

  • While reading, make brief notes of the question paper that summarize the information contained in each section or paragraph.

IELTS Reading Written Answers
  • Read the flow chart or table but don’t spend too much time analyzing it or trying to understand how it works.

  • Your reading skills are being tested, not your technical knowledge.

  • Answers do not always come in order.

  • The titles in the table and flow chart can be used a guide to find where the information is located.

  • Do not change the word from the text. Copy the word/words exactly from the text. 

  • Where applicable, read what comes before and after the gap to ensure your answer fits grammatically.

Predict the Answer

  • Read what comes before and after the question and predict the type of word (noun, verb etc.) and type of information missing. 

Example: Flowchart

Question 34 in the flowchart will be a number because it is preceded by “a total of” and possibly followed by a noun.

 

Answer:

3 measurements
 

Example: Table

Question 33 in the table is most probably a person (noun) since it is preceded by “a” and followed by “who”.

Answer:

receiver

Paraphrase and Synonyms

  • Be aware of the use of paraphrase and synonyms, before and after the gap. 

Example: Flowchart 

 

Question 34 

“71 species of living turtles and tortoises were examined and a total of 34............ were taken from the bones of their forelimbs.”

 

Passage:

Walter Joyce and Jacques Gauthier, at Yale University, obtained three measurements in these particular bones of 71 species of living turtles and tortoises. 

  • When you read the question, think of how the key words will be paraphrased. Scan the text to locate the answer then read carefully read to confirm the answer.

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