Question Focus: Synonym match - summary says 'with life in their local community' and the passage describes people's feelings
Correct Answer: satisfied
Passage Reference: Most people are satisfied with their local area as a place to live, feel that they belong there, and believe that people in their community get on well with each other, survey results show.
Why this is correct: The passage clearly says that most people are satisfied with their local area. The summary paraphrases this as being satisfied with life in their local community, which has the same meaning.
Common Mistake: Students may write happy, which fits the meaning but is not the exact word from the passage. In FIB questions, you must copy the exact word. This is a synonym trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'Most people are satisfied with their local area' = Summary: 'the majority of residents are ___ with life in their local community'
Tips: When the summary uses common words like 'happy', always check if the passage uses a more formal word you must copy.
Key Vocabulary:
- satisfied = happy
- local area = neighbourhood
Question Focus: Direct word match - the same key noun appears in both passage and summary
Correct Answer: appetite
Passage Reference: provides a good indication of the appetite in people for greater participation.
Why this is correct: The passage says there is an appetite for greater participation. The summary repeats this idea almost word-for-word as a healthy appetite for participation.
Common Mistake: Some students write interest, which sounds right but is not the word used in the passage. This is a synonym trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'the appetite in people for greater participation' = Summary: 'a healthy ___ for a higher level of participation'
Tips: If the summary already uses a strong noun like this, check carefully because IELTS often repeats the same word.
Key Vocabulary:
- appetite = desire
- participation = taking part
Question Focus: Synonym match - summary simplifies a longer passage phrase
Correct Answer: power
Passage Reference: will devolve power to local communities and make it easier for people to get involved in civic participation and volunteering.
Why this is correct: The passage explains that the Localism Bill will devolve power to local communities. The summary paraphrases this as giving local people more power.
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write control, which is mentioned later in the passage but not in this sentence. This is a wrong section trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'devolve power to local communities' = Summary: 'giving local people more ___'
Tips: When you see 'more + noun', check if the noun is uncountable like power, not something you can pluralise.
Key Vocabulary:
- devolve = give
- communities = local people
Question Focus: Synonym match - summary shortens a descriptive phrase
Correct Answer: obstacles
Passage Reference: bust bureaucratic barriers will help to close this gap. Our actions will help create active, engaged communities, where the local people who know what's best for an area are trusted and equipped to get on with it and aren't held back by needless obstacles
Why this is correct: Andrew Stunell says people are held back by needless obstacles. The summary refers to unnecessary obstacles that prevent people from getting involved.
Common Mistake: Some students choose barriers, but the summary says 'remove the unnecessary ___ which currently exist'. The exact matching word later in the sentence is obstacles. This is a partial truth trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'aren't held back by needless obstacles' = Summary: 'remove the unnecessary ___ which currently exist'
Tips: If two similar words appear in the same sentence, choose the one that fits the summary grammar exactly.
Key Vocabulary:
- obstacles = problems
- needless = unnecessary
Question Focus: Synonym match - summary condenses a longer idea
Correct Answer: actions
Passage Reference: Our actions will help create active, engaged communities, where the local people who know what's best for an area are trusted and equipped to get on with it and aren't held back by needless obstacles
Why this is correct: The minister says our actions will help create active, engaged communities. The summary shortens this to taking positive actions.
Common Mistake: Students may write steps, which sounds natural but does not appear in the passage. This is a synonym trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'Our actions will help create active, engaged communities' = Summary: 'taking positive ___'
Tips: Always scan for a sentence where the exact same noun appears. IELTS often lifts it directly.
Key Vocabulary:
- actions = things people do
- engaged = involved
Question Focus: Synonym match - summary rephrases a reform description
Correct Answer: planning
Passage Reference: revolutionise the planning system, and give communities control over housing decisions
Why this is correct: The passage says the bill will revolutionise the planning system. The summary simplifies this to a complete change in the way planning is carried out.
Common Mistake: Some students write system, but the gap already includes 'the way ___ is carried out', which needs a process, not a structure. This is a grammar fit trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'revolutionise the planning system' = Summary: 'a complete change in the way ___ is carried out'
Tips: When the summary says 'the way something is carried out', look for an -ing noun in the passage.
Key Vocabulary:
- planning = organising development
- revolutionise = completely change
General Tips:
- Summary completion questions follow passage order, so once you find gap 1, keep reading forward.
- Always copy the exact word from the passage. Synonyms are marked wrong.
- Check the grammar around the gap. Articles, adjectives, and verbs give strong clues.
- Watch the word limit carefully. Even one extra word is an automatic mistake.
