# IELTS Reading Summary Completion: Word Limits, Tips | topin IELTS guidesSummary, note, table and flow-chart completion Where IELTS Academic Reading, often covering one section of a passage Answers Words copied from the passage within a word limit, or a letter from a box of options Word limits Stated in the instructions, for example ONE WORD ONLY or NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS Order Summaries usually follow the passage; notes, tables and flow charts may not, but answers tend to come from one part of the text Marks One mark per gap; misspelt or over-limit answers score nothing ## How it works When the instructions say to choose words from the passage, you copy the exact words, without changing their form, and stay within the word limit. When there is a box of options, you write the letter of the word or phrase that fits, and the options are often paraphrases rather than words from the passage. Either way, the completed sentence must make sense and be grammatical. ## Worked example Passage: Coastal salt marshes absorb the energy of incoming waves, which reduces erosion of the land behind them. Their dense roots also trap fine sediment, so the surface of the marsh slowly rises over time. For this reason, some engineers now see restored marshes as a cheaper alternative to concrete sea walls, although a new marsh takes several years to become established. Complete the summary. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Salt marshes protect the coast by absorbing the energy of (1) \_\_\_\_\_\_. Sediment is held in place by the plants' dense (2) \_\_\_\_\_\_, which gradually raises the marsh. Some engineers regard restored marshes as a less expensive option than concrete (3) \_\_\_\_\_\_. Show the answer 1 waves (or incoming waves), 2 roots, 3 sea walls 1 needs a plural noun after 'energy of'; 'waves' is correct and 'incoming waves' also fits the two-word limit. 2 follows 'dense', so only 'roots' is needed. 3 follows 'concrete', so the answer is 'sea walls'. Writing 'concrete sea walls' in the gap would repeat a word and break the limit. ## A method for Summary, note, table and flow-chart completion 1. 1 ### Read the word limit twice Circle the limit before anything else. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS means one or two words; ONE WORD ONLY means exactly one. Any answer over the limit is marked wrong even if the meaning is right. 2. 2 ### Predict the type of word for each gap Look at the words either side. After 'the' you need a noun; after 'a' a singular noun; after 'more' possibly an adjective. Note whether a plural is needed. 3. 3 ### Find where the summary starts in the passage Read the summary's title or first sentence and locate the matching section of the passage. Most summaries cover one section, so once you find it, the gaps usually come in order. 4. 4 ### Copy exactly, then reread the sentence Copy the word or words with the passage's spelling. Then read the whole summary sentence with your answer in place to check the grammar and meaning. 5. 5 ### For box options, match meaning When you choose from a box, expect synonyms. Rule out options that do not fit the grammar of the gap first, then choose between the rest by meaning. ## Traps to avoid * Repeating words that are already printed next to the gap, which can push the answer over the word limit. * Changing the form of a copied word, for example writing 'erode' when the passage says 'erosion'. * Missing a plural 's' or misspelling a word copied from the passage. * Choosing a box option because it appears in the passage word for word, when the correct option is a paraphrase. ## Summary, note, table and flow-chart completion FAQs What does NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS mean in IELTS? Your answer can be one word or two words, but not three. An answer of three or more words is marked wrong, even if it contains the correct information. Does a hyphenated word count as one word in IELTS? Yes. A hyphenated word such as 'well-known' counts as one word. Do summary completion answers follow the passage order? Summaries usually follow the order of one section of the passage. Notes, tables and flow charts may not follow the order, but the answers normally come from one part of the text. Can I change the form of a word in summary completion? Not when the instructions say to choose words from the passage. You must copy the words exactly as they appear. ## Try Summary, note, table and flow-chart completion under real timing Your first full-length IELTS mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/ielts/login)