Complete a form: limits, spelling and corrections
Use a form’s labels and printed words to decide what belongs in each gap. Practise tracking corrections before applying the method to a recording.
These are transcript-based preparation drills. No recordings are provided for them yet. Reading and entering the answers does not assess listening performance. These original activities produce no band score or saved mastery record. Entries stay only in this open page. Specialist review has not been completed.
Read the gap before following the conversation
- Read the task’s word and number allowance. It may differ between question groups.
- Use the label and surrounding words to predict the kind of detail: a name, place, day or item. Do not guess the actual answer.
- Follow what the speakers finally agree. A suggestion, rejected option or outdated detail can sound relevant without answering the question.
- Enter only the missing words. Check spelling, the sentence around the gap and the limit.
For completion tasks requiring words from the recording, use those words without rewriting them. Exceeding the allowed length loses credit. Hyphenated words count as one word; do not invent a hyphen to join separate words.
A worked entry
A fictional receptionist says: “The session is in the music studio, not the main hall.” The form reads “Venue: the ___ studio” and allows one word.
Entry: music. Writing “music studio” repeats a printed word and exceeds this limit. “Main” selects the rejected venue. The complete form reads “the music studio”.
A later mention is not automatically a correction. Follow meaning: “Monday is confirmed; Sunday is unavailable” still confirms Monday.
Nine transcript-based entries
Read the dialogue and complete each form. For these word-only drills, type only the missing words without end punctuation. Checks ignore letter case and extra spaces; spelling and the stated word limit still matter. Help and repeated attempts are learning aids, not evidence of independent listening ability.
Guided · a cycle-hire booking
ONE WORD ONLY for each gap.
Agent: Could I have your surname?
Customer: Marlow. That is M-A-R-L-O-W.
Agent: Would you like to collect the bicycle on Saturday?
Customer: I first thought Saturday, but please make it Monday.
Agent: Monday is confirmed. Sunday is not available. We provide a lock, but bring your own helmet.
Show a hint
One day is proposed, another is confirmed, and a third is unavailable. Follow the agreement, not just the last day mentioned.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
Marlow — The surname is explicitly spelled M-A-R-L-O-W. No extra title or first name is requested.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
Monday — Monday replaces the initial Saturday suggestion. Sunday is mentioned only to say it is unavailable.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
helmet — The company supplies the lock; the customer must bring a helmet. The form already supplies a.
Independent · a nature workshop
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each gap.
Visitor: Do we meet in the car park?
Organiser: No, meet at the visitor centre. The registration desk is inside.
Visitor: Does the workshop start with a river walk?
Organiser: That is next week. Today we begin with a bird survey.
Visitor: What clothing is essential?
Organiser: Bring a waterproof jacket. Boots are optional.
Show a hint
Separate the meeting point, today’s activity and required clothing. Do not add the articles already printed in the form.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
visitor centre — Visitor centre is the two-word location. The car park is rejected, and the form already includes the.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
bird survey — Bird survey is today’s first activity. River walk belongs to next week, not this booking.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
waterproof — Waterproof supplies the missing detail; jacket is already printed. A two-word maximum also permits a one-word answer. Boots are optional.
Transfer · a staff-training booking
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each gap.
Receptionist: Which organisation is booking?
Caller: Harbour Library. Harbour is spelled H-A-R-B-O-U-R.
Receptionist: Are you booking fire safety?
Caller: No, the first-aid course, please.
Receptionist: That takes place in the training suite. The old leaflet says meeting room, but that is out of date.
Show a hint
Check the spelled organisation name and distinguish the current booking from outdated information.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
Harbour Library — The full organisation is Harbour Library, with the spelling supplied in the dialogue.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
first-aid / first aid — The caller selects first aid and rejects fire safety. This drill accepts first-aid or first aid; both fit this two-word limit.
Write your answer, then check it against this transcript.
Compare with the answer
training suite — Training suite is the current venue. Meeting room appears only in an outdated leaflet.
Explain your choice without the transcript
A speaker says: “We used the north entrance last month. This booking uses the side entrance.” The form reads “Current entrance: the ___ entrance”, with one word allowed. What belongs in the gap, and why is the other location unsuitable?
Compare my reasoning
side completes the current arrangement. North describes last month, and entrance is already printed. This written check tests your explanation, not your ability to recognise the detail in audio.
Apply the method to an existing recording
Open Original Academic Test 1, Listening Part 1. Use its question navigation to find the entries below. Read that paper’s own instructions; these short drills do not change its answer limits.
- Question 1: Follow a spelled surname.
- Question 2: Select the day that matches the caller’s availability.
- Question 4: Supply only the missing venue word; keep the printed words outside the gap.
The existing player, transcript, saved answers and scores stay in the practice workspace. Return here to explain a missed correction or an extra word.