Rules library / Listening

Listening: Fill in the Blanks

Keep your eyes one line ahead of the voice and type as you hear.

The rule

  1. 1Skim the transcript in the countdown and predict the type of word each gap needs.
  2. 2Keep your cursor moving with the audio — do not stop to fix spelling.
  3. 3Type what you hear even if it looks odd; fix the spelling after the audio ends.
  4. 4Word endings count: -s, -ed and -ing are marked.

Worked example

The council ___ new bicycle lanes last year.

  • Predict: past-tense verb
  • Hear: 'installed'
  • Check the -ed ending

Answer: installed

Three drills

Drill 1. You miss a gap. What do you do?

Drill 2. When should you fix spelling?

Drill 3. Word endings are…