IELTS Reading Test Summary Completion with Words from the Passage
Summary completion questions are often found in the IELTS Reading test.
You will be given a summary of information from the text and there will be some missing words in that summary.
There are two types of summary completion question types.
- Where you need to complete the summary with words from the reading passage.
- Where you need to complete the summary with words from a list.
Read the instructions carefully as they will tell you what is required.
In today’s free materials, we will practise summary completion with words from the reading passage.
If you are required to select words directly from the text, the instructions will state how many words or numbers you need to use in your answer.
The summary that you need to complete will usually be paraphrased from the sentences in the passage and will often include synonyms and/or antonyms.
Read the IELTS reading passage extract that follows and try to complete the summary to test your skills.
Remember this is only an extract. In the real test you will need to locate the relevant section from the whole passage that contains the information you need to complete the summary!
The Importance of Music Education for Children
Music education plays a pivotal role in the development of children, fostering various cognitive, emotional, and social skills. We will now delve into the significance of learning music in childhood and its far-reaching benefits.
Firstly, music education enhances cognitive abilities in children. Studies have shown that learning to play an instrument can improve brain function, particularly in areas related to memory, attention, and spatial reasoning. Engaging with music at a young age can stimulate neural pathways, leading to enhanced cognitive development that can positively impact academic performance.
Music education also nurtures creativity and self-expression in children. Through music, youngsters have the opportunity to use their imagination, experiment with sounds, and express their emotions in a constructive manner. Learning to compose or perform music empowers children to discover their unique voice and develop a sense of identity, fostering confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, music education promotes social skills and teamwork among children. Participating in ensemble performances or group lessons requires cooperation, communication, and mutual respect. By collaborating with peers towards a common musical goal, children learn valuable interpersonal skills that are essential for success in both personal and professional spheres of life.
Music education can have a profound impact on emotional well-being too. Playing or listening to music has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in children. Music serves as a form of emotional outlet, allowing youngsters to express their feelings and cope with life’s challenges in a healthy manner. The sense of accomplishment gained from mastering a musical piece can also boost self-confidence and resilience.
Music education is not merely an extracurricular activity but an essential component of a holistic education for children. By fostering cognitive development, nurturing creativity, promoting social skills, and enhancing emotional well-being, music empowers children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Therefore, it is imperative that educators and policymakers recognise the importance of integrating music into the curriculum to ensure the holistic development of future generations.
Questions 1-5
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
Studying music improves intellectual, emotional, and social skills
A child’s overall academic performance can be improved by incorporating music into the curriculum. Spatial reasoning, recall and 1……………. can all be positively impacted. Music also requires children to be able to demonstrate creativity while managing emotions in a 2…………… way, building self-worth and self-assurance.
Collaboration with others in a music group setting also requires teamwork, exposing children to social situations that can set them up well for challenges that they will face dealing with others in their future private and 3…………… lives. Participation in music can provide an important 4…………… that can help counteract the stresses and strains of life strengthening mental and emotional health.
Dismissing music as a fun 5……………. subject as opposed to a core and important part of learning undermines its importance, given its immense benefits, when the aim is to provide children with a fully rounded education.
Answers
A child’s overall academic performance can be improved by incorporating music into the curriculum. Spatial reasoning, recall and 1. attention can all be positively impacted. Music also requires children to be able to demonstrate creativity while managing emotions in a 2. constructive way, building self-worth and self-assurance.
Collaboration with others in a music group setting also requires teamwork, exposing children to social situations that can set them up well for challenges that they will face dealing with others in their future private and 3. professional lives. Participation in music can provide an important 4. outlet that can help counteract the stresses and strains of life strengthening mental and emotional health.
Dismissing music as a fun 5. extracurricular subject as opposed to a core and important part of learning undermines its importance, given its immense benefits, when the aim is to provide children with a fully rounded education.
Tips
To help you with summary completion questions in the IELTS test here are some tips!
All of the information contained in the summary will also be contained in the reading text, but they will generally use synonyms, antonyms and paraphrasing, so don’t expect to see the same words.
Read the question before reading the text. A summary completion question will be quite short, so you will be able to read it quickly.
Pay attention to the heading of the summary completion question. This will be helpful when you are facing a full IELTS reading passage as it will help direct you to which part of the text you need to focus on.
Underline or circle key information words in the summary – think of what synonyms or antonyms you might see in the passage.
Think of what word groups the missing words might belong to. For example, the first gap indicates that the word will be a noun. The second gap seems to be an adjective – a word that will describe the way in which emotions need to be managed.
Think about linking words, adverbs or conjunctions that might indicate a reason, a contrast or comparison.
Next use your skimming and scanning skills as you work through the text. Focus on some of the key information words you noted in the summary to find the part of the passage you need to spend time on. Remember you are unlikely to find the exact words, look for synonyms and antonyms.
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