Form and note completion: spelling, numbers and word limits
Where most easy marks are lost — and how to keep them.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Listening
Form and note completion is the most common question type in Parts 1 and 4. The answers are usually names, numbers, dates, places and single nouns — and they must be spelt correctly.
Spelling and letters
Names are often spelt out, and a speaker may correct themselves: "Is that B-A-R-K-L-E-Y?" "No, it's B-A-R-C-L-A-Y." The correction is the answer. Practise the English alphabet aloud — many learners confuse A, E and I, and G and J.
Numbers
- Phone numbers are read in groups: "oh-seven-nine-four-six, three-eight-five…". "Oh" means zero. "Double three" means 33.
- Listen for the difference between fifteen and fifty: the stress is on the second syllable in fifTEEN and on the first in FIFty.
- Prices, times and dates can be written as numbers — "14th May" or "14 May" are both fine.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: The instruction says ONE WORD ONLY. You hear “the library”. What do you write?
- the library
- the library building
- library
Show the answer
C: library — “The library” is two words. An answer over the limit is marked wrong, even with the right word in it.
Quick check: A speaker spells “B-A-R-K-L-E-Y”, then says “No, it's B-A-R-C-L-A-Y.” What do you write?
- Barkley
- Barclay
- Either spelling
Show the answer
B: Barclay — When a speaker corrects themselves, the correction is the answer.
Quick check: How is “fifteen” stressed?
- fif-TEEN, on the second syllable
- FIF-teen, on the first syllable
- It has no stress
Show the answer
A: fif-TEEN, on the second syllable — fifTEEN is stressed at the end and FIFty at the start. That is how you tell them apart.
Quick check: The speaker says “chairs”. Is “chair” correct?
- Yes: it is the same word
- No: singular or plural matters
- Only on the computer test
Show the answer
B: No: singular or plural matters — Write exactly what you hear. chairs and chair are different answers.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now