So, what’s pre-labeling all about?
Well, it’s pretty simple. Before the audio starts playing, you take a good look at the visual and try to guess what kind of information might be needed for each blank.
Now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually do this?”
Let’s break it down. When you first see the plan, map, or diagram, take a moment to scan it thoroughly.
You can quickly look at the labels that are already there and think about what kind of information would logically fit in the blank spaces.
You can even write down your guesses lightly in pencil if that helps.
Let’s look at some examples#
If you’re looking at a floor plan of a house and see blanks near the bedrooms, you might guess that you’ll need to listen for words like “master bedroom,” “guest room,” or “children’s room,” which could help you focus your listening when those areas are discussed.
When faced with a map of a town center, blanks near buildings could be filled with types of places like “library,” “post office,” or “town hall,” so you’d be ready to catch mentions of public buildings or services.
For a diagram of a natural process, such as the water cycle, you might anticipate words like “evaporation,” “condensation,” or “precipitation” for the blank spaces, helping you zero in on these key terms during the audio.
If you’re dealing with a seating plan for an event, you could expect to hear words like “VIP section,” “general admission,” or “reserved seating,” which would guide your listening for specific seating arrangements.
When presented with a map of a zoo, blanks near animal enclosures might be filled with names of animals or habitat types, so you’d be prepared to catch mentions of specific species or environment descriptions.
By using this pre-labeling technique, you’re essentially creating a mental roadmap for the information you’re about to hear.
Your guesses don’t have to be perfect.
If you hear something different from what you expected, that’s totally fine! Just be ready to adapt and fill in the actual answer.
So, what do you think about this pre-labeling strategy?
Have you ever tried something similar in your IELTS preparation?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!