
- What is Diagram Completion in IELTS Reading?
- Skills Required for IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
- Steps to Solve IELTS Reading Diagram Completion Questions
- Common Problems While Solving IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
- Tips to Solve IELTS Reading Diagram Completion Questions
- Practice Tests on IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
IELTS Reading Diagram Completion questions can often throw test-takers off guard, especially when they come across diagrams during their practice tests. Many candidates wonder about the relevance of diagrams in a language test like IELTS Exam, and this can lead to confusion and nervousness. However, there’s no need to worry – it’s just an IELTS Reading Diagram Completion question!
What is Diagram Completion in IELTS Reading?
In IELTS Reading, diagrams are used to simplify complex concepts that are difficult to explain in words alone. These diagrams could range from technical illustrations, flowcharts, or even designs explaining natural phenomena. Your task is to fill in the blanks on these diagrams using words from the accompanying passage. These words can either be directly pulled from the text or, in some cases, might be synonyms provided in a word bank.
Skills Required for IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
The key skills needed to tackle IELTS Diagram Completion questions effectively include:
- Effective skimming and scanning techniques are crucial to locate answers within the allotted time. These strategies help identify relevant information quickly and accurately.
- Test-takers should swiftly grasp the overall meaning of the diagram and pinpoint the section of the passage that aligns with the depicted details.
- Carefully reading the instructions is essential to ensure adherence to the word limit and any specific guidelines provided in the question box.
- A strong command of IELTS vocabulary is vital for identifying keywords, synonyms, and appropriate word types to fill in the blanks. This ability significantly speeds up the process of finding the correct answers.
Steps to Solve IELTS Reading Diagram Completion Questions
The IELTS Academic Reading test consists of 40 questions, and time management is key. Test-takers must avoid spending too much time on a few questions, as this can leave others unanswered. It is essential to strategize and aim to complete the entire reading section within the one-hour time limit.
To help with this, we have outlined some quick and effective steps to tackle IELTS Reading Diagram Completion questions below.
Step 1: Study the Diagram
Start by thoroughly examining the diagram. Pay close attention to how different components are arranged, especially if it’s a flowchart or process diagram. For instance, arrows indicate the direction or flow, so ensure you understand them before moving on.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Words/Keywords Needed
Determine the type of information (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) that should fill each blank. The diagram often provides hints about the keywords you need. For example, if the gaps refer to “tail” as in the orbit of a comet, two blanks may need adjectives to describe the types of tails, while another might require a verb.
Step 3: Scan the Passage
Now that you know the type of words needed, scan the passage to find the relevant information. Sometimes the answers will be paraphrased, so be on the lookout for synonyms or closely related terms.
Step 4: Read the Relevant Section Carefully
Once you have located the section of the passage containing the information, read it carefully. This is where your skimming and scanning skills will come into play. Don’t waste time reading every line – focus on the section that answers the questions.
Step 5: Check Spelling and Word Limit
Finally, after filling in the blanks, check the spelling of each word and ensure that your answer complies with the word limit. For example, if the instruction says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS,” make sure you stay within that limit, using only the required number of words.
Common Problems While Solving IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
Each type of question in the IELTS Reading section, whether simple or complex, presents unique challenges. These are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret information effectively. Below are some common difficulties faced by test-takers when handling Diagram Completion questions, along with solutions to overcome them:
- Overanalyzing the Diagram : Many test-takers spend excessive time trying to understand every detail of the diagram, especially if it appears unfamiliar. This can lead to nervousness and wasted time. Remember, the test evaluates reading comprehension, not technical expertise. Managing time efficiently is critical.
- Reading the Entire Passage : A frequent mistake is spending too long reading the entire passage instead of identifying specific paragraphs that contain the answers. Practice scanning and skimming techniques to locate information faster.
- Spelling Errors : While there is no negative marking, misspelled answers result in lost points. Test-takers should familiarize themselves with common IELTS spelling errors and learn strategies to avoid them.
- Ignoring Word Limits : Exceeding the word limit for answers is another common issue, leading to lost marks. Always pay attention to the instructions and ensure responses adhere to the specified word count.
Tips to Solve IELTS Reading Diagram Completion Questions
To excel in this question type, follow these effective tips:
- Underline Keywords in the Diagram : Highlight key terms in the diagram to guide your focus while searching for answers.
- Locate the Relevant Section of the Passage : Start by identifying the part of the passage related to the diagram instead of reading everything in detail.
- Understand the Answer Sequence : The answers may not appear in the passage in chronological order. Use keywords to determine which answer appears first and proceed accordingly.
- Use Words from the Passage : Always take answers directly from the text. Hyphenated words like “face-to-face” or numbers count as one word each.
- Identify the Required Word Type : Determine whether the answer requires a noun, verb, or adjective. Recognizing the type of word needed will help you identify the correct response more efficiently.
Practice Tests on IELTS Reading Diagram Completion
Put your knowledge to the test by trying the practice exercises on IELTS Reading diagram completion questions and answers below. This will help you see how well you’ve understood the strategies!
Test 1 :
School Experiments Reading Passage
It is essential when conducting this experiment to wear safety goggles. This experiment is divided into four distinct sections. The first, the reaction stage, is when a glass beaker is placed on top of a tripod, and 20cm of dilute sulphuric acid poured into it. The acid is then heated. When it is almost boiling, a small quantity of copper oxide powder is added to the beaker. The mixture is then stirred with a glass spatula until the copper oxide has dissolved. This process is then repeated until 1g of powder has been added to the sulphuric acid. The heat is then removed from the beaker and the solution allowed to cool. The second stage is the filtration stage and, as the name suggests, is where a filter and conical flask are used to remove any copper oxide that has not reacted. A clear copper sulphate solution will be left in the glass dish. The third stage is where heat is applied to the copper sulphate solution in order to concentrate the solution: the concentration stage. The final crystallization stage happens when the solution begins to cool, and pure copper sulphate crystals start to form.
Questions 1 – 6
The diagram below shows how copper sulphate can be made using simple laboratory equipment.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Label the diagram.

Answers :
- Filtration
- Crystallization
- Copper oxide powder
- Remove copper oxide / filter copper oxide
- Copper sulphate solution
- Copper sulphate crystals
Explanation :
- 1. Filtration : This step is mentioned in the passage as the “filtration stage,” where a filter and conical flask are used to remove any copper oxide that has not reacted. The remaining solution is a clear copper sulphate solution. Since the diagram asks for a label related to this step, “Filtration” is the correct answer.
- 2. Crystallization : The final stage of the experiment is referred to as the “crystallization stage” in the passage. It occurs when the solution is cooled, and pure copper sulphate crystals begin to form. The diagram requires a label for this step, so “Crystallization” is the correct choice.
- 3. Copper oxide powder : In the reaction stage, the passage states that “a small quantity of copper oxide powder is added to the beaker.” This is the substance used in the experiment to react with sulphuric acid. The diagram requires the name of the material being added, making “Copper oxide powder” the correct answer.
- 4. Remove copper oxide / Filter copper oxide : The passage explains that in the filtration stage, a filter and conical flask are used to “remove any copper oxide that has not reacted.” Since the diagram asks for the action being performed at this stage, the correct answer is either “Remove copper oxide” or “Filter copper oxide.”
- 5. Copper sulphate solution : After the filtration stage, the passage mentions that “a clear copper sulphate solution will be left in the glass dish.” The diagram requires a label for the substance left after filtration, making “Copper sulphate solution” the correct answer.
- 6. Copper sulphate crystals : In the final stage, the passage states that “pure copper sulphate crystals start to form” as the solution cools. Since the diagram requires the name of the solid formed, “Copper sulphate crystals” is the correct answer.
0 Comments