R15: Word limits and spelling in completion questions

In completion questions, the answer is printed right there in the passage. You just need to copy it. Easy marks, right? But every test, students lose these easy marks. They write too many words, change the word form, or copy it with a spelling mistake. This lesson makes sure you keep every one of these marks.

Why this matters

Completion questions (sentences, summaries, notes, tables, flow-charts, diagrams, short answers) can make up a big part of the test. If you lose even two marks per test to careless copying, that's about half a band at some score levels. And all of it is avoidable.

Rule 1: Respect the word limit

Remember: a, an and the count as words. If the limit is ONE WORD, write river, not the river.

Rule 2: Copy the exact word from the passage

Don't change the word into a synonym or a different form.

Passage: "The scheme was introduced to reduce congestion in the city centre."

Question: The scheme aimed to cut __________ in the city centre.

The answer is congestion. Not traffic, even though it means something similar. Not congested, because that's the wrong form.

Rule 3: Make it fit the grammar

Read the full sentence with your answer in it. Is it grammatically correct?

• If the gap comes after a, you need a singular noun.
• If it comes after to, you might need a verb.
• Check plural: does the sentence need tools or tool?

Rule 4: Copy spelling letter by letter

The word is right in front of you. There's no excuse for a spelling mistake. But on screen, when you're rushing, it happens. Type slowly for these answers. Look at the passage, type, then look again.

Rule 5: Don't repeat words already in the sentence

The museum is housed in a former __________ station.

If the passage says "a former railway station", the answer is railway, not railway station.

Try it yourself

Passage:

Researchers found that the plants grew faster when exposed to blue light. The effect was strongest in young seedlings, which grew almost twice as tall as those kept under normal light.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

1. Plants grew faster under __________.
2. The biggest effect was seen in __________.
3. These grew almost __________ as tall.

Honest note

Sometimes a summary uses a word box instead of words from the passage. Then the rules change: you choose from the box. Always read the instructions first (R26).

Your task today

In your next practice test, after each completion answer, read the full sentence aloud in your head. Check the limit, the form and the spelling.