What do I have to do in this type of listening test?

You are given some sentences with words missing. You have to listen to the recording and
complete the sentences.
What does this type of activity test?
It is often used to check that you have understood specific information in the recording.
It can also be used to test that you have understood the topic, the main ideas, and/or that
you have understood the feelings of the speakers. In some exams they may test your
spelling or knowledge of English.
How should I approach this type of test?
Here are some useful techniques for approaching this type of test. You may not need to
use all of them every time but it will be useful to be familiar with them all.

FIND OUT WHAT THE PROCEDURE IS

How many sentences will you have to complete? How many words can you put in each
space? How long is the recording? How many times do you hear the recording?

READ THE SENTENCES BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

You usually get a minute or two to look at the questions before you hear the
recording. Use this time. It can help you predict what you are going to hear.

PREPARE TO LISTEN
When you have read the questions, you will have an idea of what you are going to
listen to. Think about what the speakers might say and what vocabulary they might
use.

LOOK AT THE QUESTIONS WHILE YOU LISTEN

Continue to look at the questions while you listen. This will keep you focused on what
you are listening for.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

If you hear the recording twice, use the second listening to get any answers you missed
the first time; and also to check the answers you did get the first time.
Headway Oxford University Press 2003 P HOTOCOP I AB L E
LISTENING Level 1
Completing sentences
1 INFORMATION
Examination training
New
QUESTIONS
TECHNIQUES
www.oup.com/elt/teacher/headway
1 Look at the instructions for question 4. Answer these questions.
1 How many times will you hear the recording?
2 How many words can you put in each space?
2 Look at the sentences in question 4. Answer these questions.
1 Which country is the recording about?
2 Which two sentences probably have a number in the answer?
3 Is it light or dark most of the time in winter?
4 What about in summer?
5 What do you think people might always ask Jane about? (Q1)
6 What do you think might be possible answers for questions 7 and 8?
3 You already know a little bit about the recording from looking at the sentences.
Tick () the words below which you think you might hear in the recording.
wrap up lake depressing lunch
complain heating evenings season
studio darkness Christmas sauna
4 Listen to the recording and complete the sentences below. You may use up to
three words to complete each sentence. You will hear the recording twice.
1 People always ask Jane about .
2 Sometimes the temperature goes down to .
3 Swedish people think that English houses are .
4 In December its only light for .
5 At midnight in summer you can walk .
6 Jane thinks people in London work than people in Sweden.
7 All Swedish country cottages have .
8 Some cottages dont have .
Headway Oxford University Press 2003 P HOTOCOP I AB L E
Examination training
New
LISTENING Level 1
Completing sentences
2 PRACTICE
Find out what the
procedure is.
Read the sentences
before you listen to
the recording.
Prepare to listen.
Look at the
questions while you
listen.
Check your answers.
www.oup.com/elt/teacher/headway
This task is based on T6.7 in New Headway Pre-Intermediate.
1 1 twice
2 up to three
2 1 Sweden
2 2 and 4
3 dark
4 its probably light most of the time
5 accept any reasonable answer
6 accept any reasonable answers
3 Possible answers are given below but accept any answer that students can credibly
justify.
wrap up lake depressing lunch
complain heating evenings season
studio darkness Christmas sauna
4 1 the seasons
2 -26
3 cold
4 one hour
5 in the mountains
6 longer (hours)
7 a sauna
8 a toilet
Headway Oxford University Press 2003 P HOTOCOP I AB L E
Examination training
New
LISTENING Level 1
Completing sentences
3 KEY
www.oup.com/elt/teacher/headway