You can use the Shortcuts bar (at the bottom of the screen) and combination keystrokes known as keyboard shortcuts to quickly perform many common actions.
While typing, you can do the following:
Accept a suggested word by tapping it in the Shortcuts bar.
Accept a suggestion highlighted in the Shortcuts bar by entering a space or punctuation. (If you enter a comma, period, or other punctuation after entering a space to accept a suggestion, the space is deleted.)
Reject the suggestions by tapping your original word (shown with quotation marks in the Shortcuts bar).
To turn off the suggestions, go to Settings in the Shortcuts bar).
Choose an option.
Use app-specific shortcuts: Buttons on the outer edges of the Shortcuts bar vary depending on the app you’re using or the task you’re doing. Each app is different—try out the Shortcuts bar to see what you can do.
Change keyboard settings: Tap at the bottom of the screen.
You can use keyboard shortcuts on an Apple external keyboard to perform the following actions on iPad:
Quickly switch between apps: Press and hold the Command key, then press Tab until you reach the app you want to open.
Open Search: Press Command-Space.
Navigate between lists, text fields, and more: Press Tab to navigate between areas of an app. For example, in Notes, with the Folders list showing, press Tab to switch between the Folders list, the Notes list, and the search field.
View multitasking and other systemwide shortcuts: (Magic Keyboard for iPad and Smart Keyboard) Press and hold Save keystrokes with text replacements on iPad.
You can also accept suggested words before you finish typing them. See Save keystrokes with text replacements.