Simple strategies for IELTS Listening Table Completion, with practice from a Section 2 about Baby Cots.
Usually in Section 2 they are showing you around a place, and giving directions, but occasionally you get a listening like this one, where you have to complete a table.
IELTS Listening table completion tips
- look at the direction the information moves in (follow the numbers – check if they move horizontally or vertically)
- silently pronounce any labels to yourself so that you’re ready to hear them e.g. Brand names: ‘Baby Safe, Choice cuts, Mother’s Choice’ here.
- Listen for intonation (voice) changes when they move to each column e.g. here when Good Points moves to Problems, the voice will probably change
- Listen for signal words like ‘unfortunately’ ‘but’ ‘on the other hand’ to introduce the problems.
- Listen for signposts like ‘finally’ ‘next’ and rhetorical questions [‘So what features should you look for?’] so that you don’t lose your place.
- Listen for signal words like ‘on the whole’ ‘so’ ‘overall’ for the ‘verdict’
- Predict word types e.g. 11. ‘Easy to…’ = VERB
- Make guesses e.g. 13. ‘Babies could trap their (head? fingers? toes? leg? foot?)
- Check number of words allowed
Questions 11-19
Complete the table below:
IELTS Listening table completion audio
Question 20
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for the answer
- Metal should not be rusted or bent
- Edges of cot should not be 20 ……………………………..
11. move around
12. brakes
13. fingers
14. satisfactory
15. put together
16. too wide
17. dangerous
18. wheels
19. best buy
20. sharp
Explanations
11. The first cot we looked at was by Baby Safe and it had several good points to recommend. Our testers like the fact that it had four wheels, so it was easy to move around.
12. The only slight problems with this cot were that it had no brakes, but they didn’t think that mattered too much.
13. At first they were a bit concerned about the side bar, because they felt babies could trap their fingers in it,..
14. …but our testers felt that this was unlikely to happen so they have given this one a verdict of ‘satisfactory’.
15. The next cot was by Choice Cots and this time our testers were pleased to find a cot which is simple to put together – unlike others we looked at.
16. On the minus side, our testers did not like the fact that the side of the cot did not drop down, making it difficult to pick up newborn babies. However, the real problem with this cot was the space between the bars; our testers found they were too wide and a baby could easily trap his head.
17. We felt this was a real safety hazard and so we have labelled this one dangerous, I’m afraid.
18. And finally better news for the Mother’s Choice cot. This cot was slightly different in that although the side bar did not drop down, the base could be raised or lowered into two different positions making it safe as well as convenient. The negatives for this one were quite minor; the only niggle everyone had was the fact that it has no wheels and the only other problem anyone could find was there were pictures which were simply stuck on and so could easily become detached.
19. The makers have now promised to discontinue this practice. As this cot will then be safe in every way, we have made the Mother’s Choice cot our best buy.
20. So what features should you look for in a baby’s cot? [Signal word] Well obviously safety is a very important factor as well as comfort and convenience. We recommend that , if you are buying a cot, do make sure that any metal present is not rusted or bent in any way. You should ensure your cot has only rounded or smooth edging without any sharp edges, this is especially important for wooden cots.
Podcast episode – listen for full explanations:
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