Introduction
Fill in the Blanks (also known as Sentence Completion) is one of the most scoring question types in the IELTS Reading test.
Despite this, many candidates lose marks because they try to read the entire passage instead of using a targeted search strategy.
In this article, you’ll learn the DAT Technique and see exactly how it works using a real-style passage example.
This method works for both IELTS Academic and General Training.
What Is Fill in the Blanks in IELTS Reading?
In this question type:
- •A sentence from the passage is paraphrased
- •One word is removed
- •You must complete the sentence using words from the passage
Your goal is not full comprehension — it is precise location.
Why Reading the Full Passage Is Inefficient
Many students are told to:
- •Read the whole passage first
- •Understand every detail
- •Then answer questions
This approach:
❌ Wastes time
❌ Increases confusion
❌ Causes panic in long passages
IELTS Reading tests search skills, not memory.
The DAT Technique (Smart Search Method)
The DAT Technique helps you find answers using information that cannot be paraphrased.
DAT stands for:
- •D — Date / Numbers
- •A — As-it-is Words (Proper Names)
- •T — Topic
- •E — Elimination
In this article, we focus on D and A, which are enough to solve most Fill in the Blanks questions.
Passage Example (Shortened IELTS-Style Passage)
Passage Extract
During the late 18th century, nutmeg was one of the most valuable spices in the world.
In 1770, a French administrator successfully smuggled nutmeg plants from the Banda Islands to safety in Mauritius, breaking the Dutch monopoly over the spice trade.
Example Question
Nutmeg plants were secretly taken in 1770 to __________.
(ONE WORD ONLY)
Step-by-Step Solution Using DAT Technique
Step 1: Use D — Date
The question contains a date: 1770
Dates never change, so this immediately tells you where to look in the passage.
Step 2: Read Only the Relevant Line
You locate 1770 in the passage and read just that sentence.
Step 3: Identify Synonyms
| Question Phrase | Passage Phrase |
|---|---|
| secretly taken | smuggled |
| taken to | to safety in |
Step 4: Apply the One-Word Rule
The instruction says ONE WORD ONLY.
✅ Correct Answer:
Mauritius
You found the answer without reading the whole passage.
A = As-It-Is Words (Proper Names)
If a question does not contain a date, look for proper names, such as:
- •Countries
- •Cities
- •Historical places
- •Personal names
These words cannot be paraphrased.
Example
During the Middle Ages, ________ traders introduced nutmeg to Europe.
Here:
- •Middle Ages
- •Europe
Both are As-it-is words, making the sentence easy to locate.
Follow-Up Question Order (Very Important)
Fill in the Blanks is a follow-up question type, meaning:
- •Answers appear in order
- •Information follows the same sequence as the questions
Rule
If:
- •Answer to Question 8 is found
- •Answer to Question 10 is found
👉 Answer to Question 9 will be between them
This prevents unnecessary searching.
One-Word Answers: Common Mistakes
Always remember:
- •Singular vs plural matters
- •Spelling matters
- •Articles (a / an / the) are usually not allowed
Example
If the passage says:
- •miners → write miners, not miner
Why This Technique Works So Well
✔ Uses fixed information (dates & names)
✔ Avoids guessing
✔ Saves time
✔ Reduces stress
✔ Works even with difficult passages
High scorers do not read more — they search better.
Key Takeaways
- •Fill in the Blanks is a follow-up question
- •Dates and proper names lead directly to answers
- •You only need to read 2–3 lines per question
- •Strategy is more important than vocabulary
- •This method works in both Academic and General Training
What’s Coming Next in This Series
In upcoming articles, you’ll learn:
- •Completing the DAT Technique (T & E)
- •Topic-based scanning
- •Elimination strategies
- •Advanced tricks for long passages
IELTS Reading is not about speed — it’s about precision.
Apply the DAT Technique consistently, and Fill in the Blanks will become one of your strongest question types.
🔗 Practice with Real IELTS-Style Passages
Explore full Reading practice at ReadForIELTS.com