📖 Notes
LESSON 04 OF 20
Gap Fill — Never Miss an Answer
The Most Common Listening Trap
Gap-fill questions cost more marks than any other type through simple slips — wrong spelling, wrong word count, or missing the answer while still copying the last one down.
Strategy
Before, During, After
1
Before — Predict
Read all questions first. Predict whether each gap needs a noun, verb, number, or name. Underline keywords around the gap and note any word limit.
2
During — Keep Pace
Follow the text — answers come in order. Listen for synonyms (the recording rarely uses the exact question wording). Write as you listen. Miss one? Skip it and keep up rather than falling behind.
3
After — Check
Check grammar (singular/plural), check spelling, and check you haven't exceeded the word limit.
Common Traps
- Speaker changes their mind mid-recording — the final answer given is the correct one
- The recording paraphrases the question wording, so listen for meaning, not exact words
- Both British and American spelling are accepted
⚠️
"NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS" is a hard limit
Writing a 4-word answer marks the whole question wrong even if the content is correct — recheck your word count against the instruction every time.