1. Read instructions carefully

   • Note word limit (ONE / TWO / THREE words).

   • Check if you can use numbers (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).

2. Predict before reading the passage

   • Guess the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective) and possible idea.

   • This primes your brain to notice it faster.

3. Scan, don’t skim

   • Focus on keywords around the blank: names, dates, unique nouns.

   • Then read that part in detail.

4. Check grammar fit carefully

   • Read the completed sentence — it must sound correct on its own.

5. Always re-read after filling in

   • Confirm meaning, grammar, and logic — don’t rush to the next question.

💡 Why Grammar Matters in Summary Completion

When you face a summary with blanks, sometimes several words could fit meaning-wise — but only one fits grammatically.

IELTS often designs options that look correct in meaning but are grammatically impossible in the sentence.

So, grammar helps you filter out wrong answers.

You must therefore:

Check the word form (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.)

Check for singular/plural consistency

Notice articles (a/an/the) and prepositions

Ensure verb tense or form matches the sentence

🧩 Let’s go through each part of speech and how to evaluate answers

🟦 1. Nouns — Countable, Uncountable, and Articles

Tip:

If the blank follows “a” or “an”, the missing word must be singular countable.

If there’s no article, it could be uncountable or plural.

Example:

The factory was closed due to a lack of _______.

Possible options:

A. resources

B. money

C. pollution

✅ Answer: resources or money (depending on context)

“lack of” → followed by a noun (not a verb/adjective)

“pollution” could fit grammatically, but meaning might not fit if context says they lacked materials.

Grammar helps eliminate verbs/adjectives immediately.

Example 2:

Scientists found a new _______ of bacteria in the soil.

Options:

A. discover

B. discovery

C. discovered

✅ Answer: discovery

After “a new” → we need a noun.

“discover” is a verb, “discovered” is a verb/adjective.

💬 Grammar clue: “a/an/the” almost always signals a noun should follow.

🟩 2. Adjectives — Before Nouns or After “be”

Tip:

Adjectives usually:

Come before a noun, or

Come after linking verbs (is, are, becomes, seems, etc.)

Example:

The new regulations aim to make air travel more _______.

Options:

A. safety

B. safely

C. safe

✅ Answer: safe

After “more” → we need an adjective (comparative structure).

“safety” is a noun, “safely” is an adverb.

🧠 Grammar filtering: only “safe” fits grammatically, even though all 3 words relate to the same meaning.

Example 2:

She gave a very _______ presentation at the conference.

Options:

A. confidence

B. confident

C. confidently

✅ Answer: confident

After “very” and before a noun (“presentation”), we need an adjective.

“confidence” (noun) ❌, “confidently” (adverb) ❌.

🟨 3. Verbs — Tense and Form

Tip:

Look for helping verbs (is, was, has, have, will, etc.) — they indicate what verb form is needed.

Example:

The company _______ to reduce its carbon footprint by 2030.

Options:

A. aim

B. aims

C. aimed

✅ Answer: aims

Subject is “The company” → singular noun → needs singular verb (aims).

“aim” is plural (for they/we), “aimed” is past tense.

Grammar guides you even before reading context!

Example 2:

The experiment _______ conducted last week.

Options:

A. was

B. is

C. has

✅ Answer: was

Clue: “last week” → past time → past tense verb required.

🟧 4. Adverbs — Often Ending in -ly

Tip:

If the blank describes how an action happens (modifies a verb), it’s likely an adverb.

Example:

The students worked _______ to complete their projects on time.

Options:

A. hard

B. hardly

C. hardness

✅ Answer: hard

Meaning check: “hardly” = almost not at all, opposite meaning.

“hardness” = noun.

Grammar and meaning both help here.

🟥 5. Prepositions & Articles — Contextual Grammar Clues

These can often help you predict type of word, even before reading options.

Example:

The results were discussed in _______ of the meeting.

Options:

A. beginning

B. the beginning

C. began

✅ Answer: the beginning

“in” requires “the beginning” (set phrase).

“began” is a verb, doesn’t fit grammatically.

Example 2:

The students were praised for their _______.

Options:

A. achieve

B. achieved

C. achievement

✅ Answer: achievement

“for their” → must be followed by a noun.

“achieve” (verb) ❌, “achieved” (past participle) ❌.