For gap-fill questions, determine if the missing word is a noun, verb, adjective, or number. 2. The First Listening: Gist and Structure

| Trap | Solution | |------|----------| | (similar words but different meaning) | Listen for exact meaning, not just word matching. | | Hesitations & false starts (speaker changes their mind) | Wait until the speaker finishes the idea before answering. | | Contractions & connected speech (gonna, wanna, should’ve) | Practice listening to natural, fast speech. | | Implied “no” (e.g., “I wish I had arrived earlier”) | Recognize regret or indirect refusals. | | Not reading the word limit (“Write two words” – writing three = zero marks) | Always follow the instruction precisely. |

Watch out for absolute words like always , never , or completely in the options. Real audio opinions are usually more nuanced. 4. Decode Tone and Accent

If you miss a point, let it go immediately. Focusing on a missed word will cause you to miss the next three answers. 3. The Interval: Review and Refine

Do not dwell on Text A while Text B is playing. You cannot go back.