Test section – Listening Part 2

Table and Note Completion

Activities
1. What to expect in Part 2 – completing a table
2. Completing a jigsaw task on Note Completion
3. Keeping up with the speaker – identifying signposting expressions
4. Listening Part 2 practice

Aims

• To raise students’ awareness of the format of Listening Part 2 of the IELTS test
• To encourage students to interrogate gaps in Note/Table Completion question types
• To provide students with a strategy to answer these types of questions
• To give students practice of Part 2 of the Listening test

Learning outcomes

• Students will have practised predicting answers in notes and tables.

• Students will have practised completing notes and tables.
• Students will have applied strategy for these to an IELTS Listening test Part 2.

Information about this section of IELTS

Part 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or a
talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference). There are 10 questions, and they
are in the same order as the audio recording. The recordings are heard only once. They include a
range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian.
A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: Multiple Choice, Matching,
Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling, Form/Note/Table/Flow Chart/Summary Completion,
Sentence Completion, Short Answer questions.

Time 35-50 minutes

Level B1+
Class Suitable for groups / large classes,
F2F / Online
Interaction Individual / pair work
Materials Worksheets x 3 attached, audio script

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Activity 1: What to expect in Part 2 – completing a table
Material: Worksheet 1
Time: 10-15 minutes
Procedure:
• introduce the focus of the lesson – Listening Part 2.
• elicit what students already know about this part of the Listening test.
• give out Worksheet 1 and tell students to work alone to complete the row about
Part 2 (Exercise 1).
• put students into pairs to compare answers and complete the rest of the
discussion questions.
• get class feedback.
• clarify for students that in table completion tasks in IELTS listening, there are row
or column headings which tell the test taker the TYPE of information they are
looking for. Draw attention to these in Exercise 1. Also elicit how other examples
e.g. the info about the other parts of the test, help to provide a model of how to
complete the gaps.
• elicit ideas for Exercise 3 in open class

Answers
Exercise 1
Part Number of Themes Is there a break in the middle?
Speakers

2 1 Social/everyday Yes

Exercise 2
Students’ own. How is Part 2 relevant to life/work in an English speaking country?
Survival skills, e.g. ability to follow basic social transactional conversations; ability to
understand necessary info when given information – times of trains, prices and tickets
etc.

Exercise 3
Similarities: all answers are in sequential order; some language around the gaps is
paraphrased but the answer must be exactly the same; you have examples of the type of
answer you need to write; answers are single words/short phrases, not full sentences.
Differences: The main difference is the way information is laid out.
In Note Completion, as the gaps follow a vertical order, they may be slightly easier to
follow.

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In tables, the answers could be vertical/horizontal and you need to be aware of the
position of gaps to know when to move on from one table cell to another.

Activity 2: Completing a jigsaw task on Note Completion

Material: Worksheet 2 (student A and student B)
Time: 10-15 minutes
Procedure:

• split the class into two groups, A and B.

• give out the corresponding side of Worksheet 2.
• working together, students look at the gaps in their task, and the examples
provided, to identify the missing parts of speech and to anticipate possible
answers (Exercise 1).
• once ready, change to AB pairings.
• students check each other’s answers (Exercise 2).
• elicit how this activity relates to real test practice, what steps did they follow before
they checked the answers.
• write these elicited steps on the board and clarify that this is a strategy for
preparing to answer Note/Table Completion question types. An example of the
overall strategy below:
1. survey the questions to get an idea of context.
2. read the instruction carefully to check the number of items per gap.
3. look closely at headings or prompt words to identify the type of information that’s
missing.
4. look closely around the gaps to identify the part of speech that’s missing.
5. look at the other examples on the page to see HOW to write the answer.
6. predict possible logical answers.

Activity 3: Keeping up with the speaker – identifying signposting expressions

Material: Worksheet 2
Time: 5-10 minutes
Procedure:

• round up the previous activity by clarifying that they’ve practised a pre-listening

strategy.
• elicit ideas for strategy WHILE listening.

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 • elicit what students will have to listen out for to help them identify when it’s time to
move on to the next question i.e. keywords from the questions/synonyms of these.
• draw attention to the field headings in the previous task (Days held, Types of
events, Venues, Duties) and elicit how they might hear the speaker move from
topic to topic.
• draw attention to Activity 3 and the information provided to raise awareness of the
use of synonyms.
• set up the task, students, working alone, match the extracts to an appropriate part
of the question sheet.
• students check answers in pairs before checking answers open class.
• during class feedback, draw attention to the use of synonyms and associated
vocabulary in the extracts.

Answers
Exercise 3
Days held – b
Types of event – a
Venue – d
Duties – c

Activity 4: Listening Part 2 practice

Material: Worksheet 3
Time: 10-15 minutes
Procedure:

• tell students that they are now going to do Listening Part 2.

• play the audio without stopping.
• get students to compare the answers in pairs.
• go through answers open class paying close attention to spelling and adherence
to the word count of the instructions.

Answer key:
11 classical music (concerts) / (classical) (music) concerts
12 (a) bookshop / (a) bookstore
13 planned
14 1983 / (the) 1980s
15 (the) City Council

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16 363
17 (the) Garden Hall
18 Three Lives
19 £4.50
20 Faces of China

Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary. Alternative answers
are separated by a slash (/).

Audio script one time, the choice of entertainment

there is simply enormous.
Hello, and welcome to Focus on the
Arts. I’m your host – Dave Green- and So, how did they manager to build such
this is your very own local radio a big arts complex right in the heart of
programme. Every Friday evening we the city? Well, the area was completely
put the spotlight on different arts and destroyed by bombs during the war in
culture facilities, and look at the shows 1940. So the opportunity was taken to
and events that are on offer in the create a cultural centre that would be,
coming weeks. what they called: ‘The City’s gift to the
Nation’. Of course it took a while for
And today the focus is on The National such a big project to get started, but it
Arts Centre. Now, if you don’t already was planned in the 60s, built in the 70s
know it yourself, I’m sure you’re all and eventually opened to the public in
heard of it. It’s famous throughout the 1983. Ever since then it has proved to
word as one of the major venues for be a great to be a great success. It is
classical music. not privately owned, like many arts
centres, but is still in public hands – it’s
But did you know that it is actually much run by the City Council. Both our
more than just a place to hear concerts? National Symphony Orchestra and
The Centre itself is a huge complex that National Theater Company were
caters for great range of arts. Under a involved in the planning of the project,
single roof it houses concert rooms, and they are now based there – giving
theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a regular performances every week – and
wonderful public library, as well as as the Centre is open 363 days of the
service facilities including three year, there are plenty of performances
restaurants and a bookshop. So at any to choose from.

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So, to give you some idea of what’s on, But you can see the centre’s main
and to help you choose from the many attraction at the weekend, because on
possibilities, we’ve made a selection of Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm,
the star attractions. they’re showing a wonderful new
exhibition that hasn’t been seen
If you’re interested in classical music, anywhere else in Europe yet. It’s a
then we recommend you go along to the collection of Chinese Art called ‘Faces of
National on either Monday or Tuesday China’ – that’s in Gallery 1 – and it
evening at 7.30 for a spectacular some really fascinating paintings and
production of ‘The Magic Flute’ – sculptures by leading artists from all
probably the most popular of all Mozart’s over China – and the good news is that
operas. It’s in the Garden Hall and it is completely free, so don’t miss it!
tickets start at only £8.00, but you’ll have
to be early if you want to get them that So why not go along to the National Art
cheap! And remember, it’s only on for Centre next week for one – or all – of
those two evenings. these great events – and you can
For those more interested in the cinema, always pick up a programme and check
you might like to see the new Canadian out all the other performances and
film which is showing on Wednesday exhibitions on offer, or coming soon, on
evening at 8pm in Cinema 2. And that’s almost every day of the year.
called ‘Three Lives’. It’s had fantastic
reviews and tickets cost just £4.50, Next week we’ll be looking at the
which is a reduction on the usual price Museum of Science…
of £5.50. So, it’s really good value,
especially for such a great movie.

.
Follow-up activity

Make copies of the audio script for students to

• locate answers.
• identify how an answer is being ‘signalled’.
• note the use of synonyms or paraphrasing of the words in the questions.

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 Listening Part 2

Worksheet 1

What to expect in Listening Part 2

1 Complete the table below with information about Listening Part 2. Write NO MORE
THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Part Number of Themes Is there a Possible question

Speakers break in the types
middle?
1 2 Social/everyday Yes Multiple Choice,
2 Matching,
Plan/Map/Diagram
Labelling,
Form/Note/Table/Flow-
3 2-4 Academic Yes chart/Summary
Completion, Sentence
4 1 Academic No
Completion, Short
Answer questions.

2 Check your answers with a partner and discuss the following:

What do you find easy/challenging about Part 2 of the IELTS Listening test?
How is Part 2 relevant to life/work in an English-speaking country?
What type of question was Exercise 1?
What clues helped you to complete it?

3 Looking at the sample questions on the final page, what similarities are there
between Table and Note Completion tasks? In which ways are they different?

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 Listening Part 2

Worksheet 2

Note Completion tasks

1 Look at the notes below and try to predict the possible answers. Write NO MORE
THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Student A

Farmers’ Festival

Days held: Friday evening

Saturday all day
Sunday 1 ___________

Types of events: Funfair for children

Amateur 2 __________ exhibitions

Pumpkin 3 __________

Venues: Playing field

4 ____________ pitches
Town Hall

Duties include: Checking tickets

Setting up tables
5 __________ disposal

2 Check your answers with a new partner.

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 Listening Part 2

Worksheet 2

Note Completion tasks

1 Look at the notes below and try to predict the possible answers. Write NO MORE
THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Student B

Farmers’ Festival

Days held: Friday evening

Saturday 1 __________
Sunday afternoon

Types of events: Funfair for 2 __________

Amateur gardener exhibitions

3 __________ carving
Venues: Playing field
Football pitches
4 ___________ Hall

Duties include: Checking 5 __________

Setting up tables

Waste disposal

2 Check your answers with a new partner.

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 Keeping up with the speaker

In Note Completion questions, just like in other question types, the

recording will not always use the same language as the questions. Try to
think of synonyms and similar words and phrases.

3 Read the following extracts and match with the appropriate part of the note
completion task.

a “So, to give you some idea of what’s on, and to help you choose from
the many possibilities, we’ve made a selection of the main
attractions….”

b “We’re expecting to see something in the region of a thousand visitors

over the course of the weekend…”

c “Responsibilities for volunteer staff include….”

d “The local Council has kindly offered us many locations for free…”

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 Listening Part 2

Worksheet 3

PART 2 Questions 11 – 20

Questions 11 – 16

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

Well known for: 11 …………………

Complex consists of: concert rooms

theatres

cinemas

art galleries

public library

restaurants

12 …………………

Historical background: 1940 – area destroyed by bombs

1960s – Centre was 13 …………………

In 14 …………………opened to public

Managed by: 15 …………………

Open: 16 …………………days per year

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Questions 17 – 20

Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Day Time Event Venue Ticket price

Monday and 7.30 p.m. ‘The Magic Flute’ 17 …………… from £8.00
Tuesday (opera by Mozart)

Wednesday 8.00 p.m. 18 ‘……………’ Cinema 2 19 ……………

(Canadian film)

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 20 ‘……………’ Gallery 1 free

Sunday 10 p.m. (art exhibition)

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Listening Part 2

Audio script

Hello, and welcome to Focus on the such a big project to get started, but it
Arts. I’m your host – Dave Green- and was planned in the 60s, built in the 70s
this is your very own local radio and eventually opened to the public in
programme. Every Friday evening we 1983. Ever since then it has proved to
put the spotlight on different arts and be a great to be a great success. It is
culture facilities, and look at the shows not privately owned, like many arts
and events that are on offer in the centres, but is still in public hands – it’s
coming weeks. run by the City Council. Both our
National Symphony Orchestra and
And today the focus is on The National National Theater Company were
Arts Centre. Now, if you don’t already involved in the planning of the project,
know it yourself, I’m sure you’re all and they are now based there – giving
heard of it. It’s famous throughout the regular performances every week – and
word as one of the major venues for as the Centre is open 363 days of the
classical music. year, there are plenty of performances
to choose from.
But did you know that it is actually much
more than just a place to hear concerts? So, to give you some idea of what’s on,
The Centre itself is a huge complex that and to help you choose from the many
caters for great range of arts. Under a possibilities, we’ve made a selection of
single roof it houses concert rooms, the star attractions.
theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a
wonderful public library, as well as If you’re interested in classical music,
service facilities including three then we recommend you go along to the
restaurants and a bookshop. So at any National on either Monday or Tuesday
one time, the choice of entertainment evening at 7.30 for a spectacular
there is simply enormous. production of ‘The Magic Flute’ –
probably the most popular of all Mozart’s
So, how did they manager to build such operas. It’s in the Garden Hall and
a big arts complex right in the heart of tickets start at only £8.00, but you’ll have
the city? Well, the area was completely to be early if you want to get them that
destroyed by bombs during the war in cheap! And remember, it’s only on for
1940. So the opportunity was taken to those two evenings.
create a cultural centre that would be, For those more interested in the cinema,
what they called: ‘The City’s gift to the you might like to see the new Canadian
Nation’. Of course it took a while for film which is showing on Wednesday

British Council is a proud co-owner of IELTS 13 takeielts.org

evening at 8pm in Cinema 2. And that’s sculptures by leading artists from all
called ‘Three Lives’. It’s had fantastic over China – and the good news is that
reviews and tickets cost just £4.50, it is completely free, so don’t miss it!
which is a reduction on the usual price
of £5.50. So, it’s really good value, So why not go along to the National Art
especially for such a great movie. Centre next week for one – or all – of
these great events – and you can
But you can see the centre’s main always pick up a programme and check
attraction at the weekend, because on out all the other performances and
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm, exhibitions on offer, or coming soon, on
they’re showing a wonderful new almost every day of the year.
exhibition that hasn’t been seen
anywhere else in Europe yet. It’s a Next week we’ll be looking at the
collection of Chinese Art called ‘Faces of Museum of Science…
China’ – that’s in Gallery 1 – and it
some really fascinating paintings and

British Council is a proud co-owner of IELTS 14 takeielts.org