IELTS Listening · Lesson 2 of 13
Form completion
Part 1 often asks you to complete a form with names, addresses, numbers and prices. Learn to predict each answer and catch spellings and numbers.
In this lesson you will
- use the form to work out the context before you listen
- predict the type of information for each gap
- complete a Part 1 form with names, a postcode, measurements and a price
The question type
What is form completion?
You complete a form, such as a booking form or an application, with information you hear. It is common in Part 1, where two people talk about an everyday situation. The answers are often names, spellings, addresses, numbers, dates and prices, and they come in the same order as the form.
Packham's Shipping Agents
You will hear a telephone conversation between a customer and an agent at a company which ships large boxes overseas.
Questions 1–8
Questions 9–10
Official sample recording. You can also use the computer voice below.
Transcript (check it after you answer)
AgentGood morning, Packham's Shipping Agents. Can I help you?
JacobOh yes, I'm ringing to make enquiries about sending a large box, a container, back home to Kenya from the UK.
AgentYes, of course. Would you like me to try and find some quotations for you?
JacobYes, that'd be great. Thank you.
AgentWell, first of all, I need a few details from you.
JacobFine.
AgentCan I take your name?
JacobIt's Jacob Mkere.
AgentCan you spell your surname, please?
JacobYes, it's M, K, E, R, E.
AgentIs that M for mother?
JacobYes.
AgentThank you, and you say that you will be sending the box to Kenya?
JacobThat's right.
AgentAnd where would you like the box picked up from?
JacobFrom college, if possible.
AgentYes, of course. I'll take down the address now.
JacobIt's Westall College.
AgentIs that W, E, S, T, A, L, L?
JacobYes ... college.
AgentWestall College. And where's that?
JacobIt's Downlands Road, in Bristol.
AgentOh yes, I know it. And the postcode?
JacobIt's B, S, 8, 9, P, U.
AgentRight ... and I need to know the size.
JacobYes, I've measured it carefully and it's 1.5 metres long ...
AgentRight.
Jacob0.75 metres wide ...
AgentOK.
JacobAnd it's 0.5 metres high, or deep.
AgentGreat. So I'll calculate the volume in a moment and get some quotes for that. But first, can you tell me, very generally, what will be in the box?
JacobYes, there's mostly clothes.
AgentOK.
JacobAnd there's some books.
AgentOK. Good. Um ... anything else?
JacobYes, there's also some toys.
AgentOK, and what is the total value, do you think, of the contents?
JacobWell, the main costs are the clothes and the books. They'll be about 1,500 pounds, but then the toys are about another two hundred, so I'd put down 1,700 pounds.
AgentOK, right. Now, obviously insurance is an important thing to consider, and our companies are able to offer very good rates in a number of different all-inclusive packages.
JacobSorry, could you explain a bit more?
AgentYes, sorry. There are really three rates, according to the quality of insurance cover. There's the highest, comprehensive cover, which is the Premium rate, then there's the Standard rate, and then there's the Economy rate. That one will only cover the cost of the contents second hand.
JacobOh, I've been stung before with economy insurance, so I'll go for the highest.
AgentMm-hm. And can I just check: would you want home delivery, or delivery to a local depot, or would you want to pick it up at the nearest port?
JacobThe port would be fine. I've got transport at that end.
AgentFine. And will you be paying by credit card?
JacobCan I pay by cheque?
Step 1: work out the context
Look at the form in Exercise 4. Don't play the recording yet.
- What is the conversation about?
- Who are the speakers?
Step 2: what are you listening for?
For each gap, decide what type of information you need.
- 1 Name: Jacob ______
- 2 ______ College, Downlands Rd
- 3 Postcode: ______
- 4 / 5 Width / Height: ______
- 6 / 7 Contents: clothes, ______
- 8 Total estimated value: £______
Use every clue on the form. College is already printed after gap 2, so you are listening for the name of the college, not a street. The £ sign is printed before gap 8, so you only need to write the number. Length is given as 1.5m, so the other measurements will probably be in metres too.
Step 3: check the instructions
The instructions say NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER. True or false?
- a) You can write one word.
- b) You can write one number only.
- c) You can write a combination of words and a number.
- d) You can write four words.
Step 4: Questions 1–8
Now play the recording (questions 1–8) and complete the form. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
PACKHAM'S SHIPPING AGENCY: customer quotation form
- Mkere (spelled M-K-E-R-E)
- Westall (spelled W-E-S-T-A-L-L)
- BS8 9PU
- 0.75 m (or 75 cm, ¾ m)
- 0.5 m (or 50 cm, half a metre)
- and 7 books and toys, in either order
- 1,700. Jacob first mentions £1,500 for the clothes and books, then adds £200 for the toys. Listen to the end before you write!
Strategy
A strategy for form completion
Put the strategy in order
- Use the clues on the form: words printed before and after each gap, units (m, £) and the example.
- Read the title and the form to work out the situation and the speakers.
- Listen and write. Be ready for spellings, and for speakers who correct themselves.
- Check the word limit in the instructions.
- Check your spelling and that each answer fits the word limit.
- Predict the type of information for each gap: a name, a number, a date…
Activities adapted from British Council IELTS teaching materials (takeielts.britishcouncil.org).