L22: Table and flow-chart completion

Tables and flow-charts are just forms with a shape. A table organises facts into rows and columns. A flow-chart shows steps in a process, connected by arrows. Once you learn to read the shape, these questions become some of the easiest in the test.

Why this matters

Tables and flow-charts give you more clues than any other question type. The headings, the other cells and the arrows all help you predict the answer. Students who read the whole shape before listening score much higher than those who only look at the gaps.

Tables: read across and down

Look at this table before any audio plays:

What can you predict?

• Gap 1 is in the Length column. So it's a time, like "3 hours".
• Gap 2 is a price. Probably more than £30, since it's a longer tour, but don't depend on that.
• Gap 3 is in the Includes column. Other answers are food and drink. So it might be a meal, a ticket or a guide.

You've already narrowed down all three answers before hearing a word.

Which order do the answers come in?

Usually, the speaker talks about one row at a time, from top to bottom. So answers often go across each row, left to right. But not always. Sometimes a speaker goes down a column. Check the question numbers. They show you the order.

Flow-charts: follow the arrows

Flow-charts show a process, like how paper is recycled or how to apply for a library card. Look at this one:

Applying for a student parking permit

1. Complete the online form
2. Upload a copy of your (4) __________
3. Pay the fee at the (5) __________ office
4. Collect the permit after (6) __________ working days

Notice:

• Gap 4 is a document, like licence or timetable.
• Gap 5 is a type of office.
• Gap 6 is a number.

Listen for sequence words. They tell you the speaker is moving to the next step:

first, next, then, after that, once that's done, finally, the last step is

Example audio for the flow-chart

"First, fill in the online form. Then you'll need to upload a copy of your driving licence. Once that's done, go to the finance office to pay. It used to be the main reception, but that changed last year. And finally, your permit will be ready to collect in about five working days."

Did you notice the distractor? "Main reception" was the old place to pay. The answer is the new one: finance.

Try it yourself

"Room B, on the first floor, used to be for storage. These days we use it for training sessions."

Honest note

Flow-charts in Part 4 can be fast and use difficult words. Don't panic if a step goes past. Keep your eyes on the arrows and jump to the next step.

Your task today

Find one table and one flow-chart in your practice books. Before listening, write a prediction next to every gap.