IELTS Reading ENG302 2020-2021

In this kind of question you are given a number of sentences with gaps (usually at the end of the sentence), which you must complete with words from the text. These questions are testing your ability to read for specific information.

• Read each sentence carefully and try to predict what could be missing.

• Identify key words from the sentence and scan the text to find those words or synonyms.

• Choose words FROM THE TEXT to complete the sentence.

• Reread your sentences to make sure they are grammatically correct.

• The questions in this exercise follow the order of the text.

• The missing section is usually, BUT NOT ALWAYS, a noun phrase.

• Check if the question tells you to use the EXACT WORDS from the reading - some do not.

• Make sure the answer does not exceed the stated word limit - articles and unneeded adjectives can sometimes be left out to achieve this.

• Make sure the answer fits into the statement grammatically-IF IT DOESN'T, IT'S WRONG!

As the statements you are given in IELTS sentence completion tasks will not be taken exactly from the reading, you need to be aware of paraphrasing and synonyms.

Paraphrase: to repeat something written or spoken using different words

Synonym: a word or phrase which has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase.

Question-Britain decided to send people to live and govern Australia due to a _________________ factors.

Paragraph: European settlement of Australia began in 1788 when a British penal colony was established on the east coast. From this starting point Australia grew rapidly and continually, expanding across the entire continent.

A number of reasons contributed to Britain's decision to colonise Australia. The most important factor was Britain's need to relieve its overcrowded prisons. Several violent incidents at overcrowded prisons convinced the British government of the need to separate unruly elements from the rest of the prison populace.

A number of reasons contributed to Britain's decision to colonise Australia.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

reasons = factors

Colonise = send people to live and govern

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is "number of".

Australia was originally founded as a British penal colony.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

established = founded

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is British penal colony.



The major consideration in colonising Australia was Britain’s overcrowded prisons.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

most important factor = major consideration

colonise Australia = colonising Australia

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is 'overcrowded prisons'.



It was thought that economic opportunities could be gained in that part of the world due to the access provided via Australia.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

surrounding region = that part of the world

Australia could be used as an entry point = access provided by Australia

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is 'economic opportunities'.



Lord Sydney took every factor into account when he gave official permission for the colonisation of Australia.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

All these points = every factor

figured in the decision = took into account

authorise = permission

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is 'colonisation'.



Botany Bay was abandoned by the settlers due to the lack of cover and poor soil.

And these were the paraphrases / synomyms:

they left = abandoned

because of its openness = lack of cover

So you should then be able to work out that the correct answer to put in the gap is 'poor soil'.



Now, using the techniques and the tips we have just gone through, access the MS Quiz sent through TEAMS and have a go at answering the questions.