Practicing Scanning Skills in IELTS Completion Tasks

Introduction

The IELTS Reading Completion Task requires test takers to fill in missing words in a passage based on given prompts. A key skill to master for this task is scanning—the ability to quickly locate specific information in a text. In this tutorial, we will explore how to improve scanning skills with practical techniques, examples, and explanations.

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What is Scanning?

Scanning is a reading technique used to locate specific details (e.g., names, dates, figures, keywords) without reading the entire passage in depth. It is especially useful in IELTS completion tasks, where you need to find precise words or phrases to complete gaps in a sentence or summary.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning in IELTS Completion Tasks

1. Understand the Question First

Before looking at the passage, carefully read the given sentence or summary. Identify the key information needed. Look for:

• Keywords (nouns, numbers, dates, and proper names)
• Synonyms or paraphrased words that might appear in the passage
• Grammatical clues (e.g., whether a noun, verb, or adjective is missing)

Example:

Sentence with Gap: “The company was established in __ and quickly grew in popularity.”

• Keywords: company, established, quickly grew
• Expected answer: A year (since “established” usually refers to a founding date)

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2. Scan the Passage for Keywords or Similar Phrases

Use your eyes to move quickly through the text and locate the keyword or its synonym. Avoid reading everything word for word. Instead:

• Focus on capital letters (for names, places, or organizations)
• Look at numbers (for years, percentages, or quantities)
• Identify words related to the topic of the question

Example:

Text Excerpt:
“Founded in 1998, the company rapidly expanded across Europe and became a leader in the tech industry.”

• The keyword established is paraphrased as founded
• The correct answer: 1998

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3. Check for Synonyms and Paraphrasing

IELTS texts often use synonyms or rephrase the question’s wording. Being familiar with common paraphrasing patterns helps in quick scanning.

Example:

Question: “The scientist conducted an experiment on the effects of __ on human memory.”

Text Excerpt: “Dr. Collins performed a study to observe how music influences memory retention.”

• “Conducted an experiment” → “Performed a study”
• “Effects on human memory” → “Influences memory retention”
• Correct answer: music

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4. Predict the Type of Word Needed

Understanding sentence structure helps in predicting the type of missing word. Look at:

• Nouns (e.g., a person, place, or thing)
• Adjectives (e.g., a descriptive word)
• Numbers or years (e.g., statistics, dates)

Example:

Question: “The new policy aims to reduce __ among teenagers.”

• Expectation: A noun (something negative affecting teenagers)
• Possible answer from passage: “The initiative was designed to decrease screen addiction in young people.”
• Correct answer: screen addiction

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5. Be Mindful of Word Limits

IELTS instructions often specify the word limit (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”). If the correct answer is “screen addiction,” but the word limit is ONE WORD, then “addiction” is the best choice.

Example:

• Given Answer: “Screen addiction”
• Allowed Answer: “Addiction” (if the instruction allows only one word)

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Practice Exercises

Try applying scanning skills to these sample tasks.

Exercise 1

Passage:
“The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 revolutionized medicine. This antibiotic was later mass-produced, saving millions of lives.”

Questions:

1. The scientist who discovered penicillin was _.
2. The discovery took place in the year _.

Answers:

1. Alexander Fleming
2. 1928

Exercise 2

Passage:
“The Eiffel Tower, constructed in 1889, remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. It stands at 330 meters tall.”

Questions:

1. The Eiffel Tower was built in _.
2. Its height is _.

Answers:

1. 1889
2. 330 meters

Exercise 3

Passage:
“Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, has a height of 8,848 meters. It was first successfully climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.”

Questions:

1. The height of Mount Everest is _.
2. The first successful climb was in the year _.

Answers:

1. 8,848 meters
2. 1953

Exercise 4

Passage:
“The Amazon Rainforest is often referred to as the lungs of the Earth because it produces 20% of the world’s oxygen. It spans over 5.5 million square kilometers.”

Questions:

1. The Amazon Rainforest is called the _.
2. Its total area is _.

Answers:

1. lungs of the Earth
2. 5.5 million square kilometers

Exercise 5

Passage:
“The Great Wall of China stretches for approximately 21,196 kilometers and was originally built to protect against invasions. Its construction began as early as the 7th century BC.”

Questions:

1. The total length of the Great Wall of China is _.
2. Its construction started in the _.

Answers:

1. 21,196 kilometers
2. 7th century BC

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Conclusion

Scanning is a powerful technique that saves time and improves accuracy in IELTS Completion Tasks. By practicing with real texts, focusing on keywords, and recognizing synonyms, you can enhance your ability to locate answers quickly and accurately. Apply these techniques consistently, and your IELTS Reading performance will improve significantly!