Examples:

Source: Cambridge IELTS 9, Test 3 – Listening, Section 1, Questions 6 – 10

Source: Cambridge IELTS 2, Test 1 – Listening, Section 1, Questions 1 – 5

Source: Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 5 – Listening, Section 4, Questions 31 – 40

Source: Cambridge IELTS 8, Test 4 – Listening, Section 3, Questions 27 – 30

Source: Cambridge IELTS 8, Test 2 – Listening, Section 3, Questions 25 – 30

Strategies:

1. Check the word limit
2. Look at the title of the table/ form/ note/ summary/ flow-chart to form a general idea of the content
3. Examine the gaps and try to predict what kind of information is needed:
   • Number: telephone number, post code, time, date, month, year, figure, etc
   • Word: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc. For nouns, look at the grammar so that you know whether a singular or plural noun is missing.
4. The key words around the gaps are almost always paraphrased, so think ahead of possible synonyms or equal expressions of those
5. Fill the gaps as you listen
6. Double check
   • Word limit
   • Grammar: see if the information your write fits in the gaps in terms of both meaning and grammar
   • Spelling

Notes:

• Complete the gaps with the exact words that you listen from the recording. You must not change the word form/ order whatsoever.
• When it comes to nouns, listen carefully to check if you hear any ‘s’ sound at the end.