Section 1

This is a conversation between two speakers on an everyday, social topic. This

means that you listen to two people talking to each other about arranging a trip,
organising an event, etc. The focus is on listening for specific factual information.
Section 2
This is a talk by one speaker on a general topic. This means that you listen to one
person giving information about a public event, a service provided, etc. The focus is
on listening for specific factual information.
Section 3
This is a discussion between two to four speakers on a topic related to ‘academic
needs’. This means that you listen to up to four people talking to each other about an
assignment for a course, an academic subject in a seminar, etc. The focus is on
listening for specific factual information, attitudes and speakers’ opinions.
Section 4
This is a lecture or talk by one speaker on an academic or study-related topic. This
means that you listen to a person giving a lecture, a talk, etc. The focus is on
listening for main ideas, specific factual information, attitude and speakers’
opinions.
You will be allowed approximately 30 seconds to study the questions before the test
begins. You can use this time to check what types of answers are needed (for
example, dates, times, names, money, etc.), and pay special attention to the first
question.

How long is the Listening paper?

The Listening paper is the same in both the Academic and the General Training
modules of the IELTS test. It takes about 30 minutes. After the recording has
finished, you have ten minutes to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
What type of information will I hear?
The Listening test is the first part of the IELTS examination. It consists of four
recorded sections, each covering a different type of language and context. There are
ten questions in each section and each question carries one mark.
• • In Section 1, you will hear a conversation between two speakers in a
social or semi-official context (check out the example).
• • In Section 2, you will hear a talk by a single speaker based on a non-
academic situation (check out the example).
• • In Section 3, you will hear a conversation with up to four speakers
based on academic topics or course-related situations (check out the example).
• • In Section 4, you will hear a university-style lecture or talk (check out
the example).
Will I hear the recording more than once?
It is important to remember that you will hear the recording only once. To help you
prepare, you will be given some extra time at the start of each section. During this
time, you should read the questions carefully.
How is the Listening paper assessed?
You will be asked a total of 40 questions. In order to assess how much of the
recording you understand, the questions will usually paraphrase (use different words
with a similar meaning) the words that are in the text.
What types of question will I need to answer?
There are 10 questions in each section, and there is a variety of question types. For
some types, you need to write words or numbers that you hear.
• • forms/notes/table/flow-chart/summary completion
• • short-answer questions
• • sentence completion
For other tasks, you need to choose an option from a list and write a titter on your
answer sheet.
• • labelling a diagram/plan/map (check out the example)
• • matching
• • multiple choice
How do I answer the questions?
The instructions and the questions will tell you what type of information you need to
listen for, and the type of answer you need to give. Listen carefully to any
instructions you hear on the recording. Follow the instructions on the question paper
carefully. In this unit, you will be able to practise all of these question types.
How can I improve my Listening paper score?
You can improve your score by following the instructions carefully, and
remembering the Test Tips here. Before the test, try to listen to accents from a
variety of English-speaking countries. Studying all aspects of English (including
vocabulary and grammar) will also help improve your IELTS score. If you make any
mistakes in the practice exercises, make sure that you listen to the recording again
and check your answers carefully in the Answer Key.
Remember that test tips alone will not be enough to succeed in IELTS. In order to
do well in the test you must prepare and practise your English during the months and
weeks leading up to the test.
Examiner-approved Listening tips

• • At the beginning of each section read the questions for that section
carefully, before the recording starts. This will help you to follow the recording and
identify the answers.
• • After completing a section, it is better to look ahead and read the
questions for the next section than to worry about the last section.
• • You will sometimes have a list of options to choose from as answers.
The possible answers may be listed in alphabetical order and not necessarily in the
order you will hear them.
• • Be careful to note word limits. If there is an instruction: Write no more
than two words, writing more than two words will mean you will receive no marks
at all for your answer, even if some of the words were correct.
• • Try to listen for key words or synonyms (words that have the same or
nearly the same meaning as another word) from the question to help you identify the
answer. For example, in the recording you might hear: "She likes going to the gym
and playing tennis". On your answer sheet, this could appear as "She is
an active person."
• • You may be asked to write down words that have been spelled out in
the recording. In order to do this well, you need to know the English alphabet and
how each letter is pronounced (for example, the letter 'W' is pronounced as 'double-
u').
• • Listen carefully for words which indicate which stage of the recording
you are listening to, e.g. 'firstly', 'my next point', 'to sum up'. These words will help
you identify which question you have reached.
• • As you are listening to the recording, cross out options which don't fit.
This makes it easier for you to find the right answer.
• • If you are writing dates as an answer to any question remember that
there are several correct ways to write them (e.g. 24th April, April 24 and 24 April
are all correct).
• • If there are questions you cannot answer leave them and move on to
the next question. This will help you to stay calm and positive. Go back to those
questions at the end, if you have time.
• • After the last recording has ended you have ten minutes to transfer
your answers from the Listening booklet to your answer sheet. Don't make the
mistake of copying these answers across to the answer sheet in between sections or
you may miss important information about the next section of the test. Wait until the
end of Section 4 before transferring your answers.

To achieve Band 7.5 in the IELTS Listening test, you typically need a minimum of 32

correct answers out of 40. Because the listening questions get harder, you should aim
for 10 out of 10 in Section 1 and avoid making simple mistakes due to being
unprepared.

To improve your concentration, when you are doing the Practice Tests here, try to
write down each possible answer. Cross out the incorrect answers as you listen, based
on what the speakers say. (Note that you may not have time to do this in the exam,
however.)

Looking for key words in the question will help you identify the answer more easily.
Short-answer questions often look for specific information, so make sure you have
some idea what to expect. The question words themselves are often very useful.

MATCHING FACTS TO FIGURES

In the listening test some of the questions require you to understand and correctly
select or identify particular facts and figures. You might be asked to complete details in
sentences; a summary or notes, or select the correct details from the options you are
given.

IELTS Study Tip

 Use the reading time to familiarize yourself with the types of answers
expected; for example, a number, letter, word or time.
 Pay special attention to the first question, so that you know when to
begin.
 If the question asks for answers with one word only, be careful not to add
any extra word or letter by mistake. Pay special attention when choosing
between similar numbers or clock times.
 Copy your answers to the answer sheet exactly as you have written them.
Make sure that your answers are written alongside the correct question
numbers.

IELTS Listening Tip

No answer in the IELTS Listening test is more than three words. Sixty percent of the answers are
just one word. There are usually only three or four three-word answers in any test. (Look at the
proportion of answer types in the Practice Tests.) Occasionally, two letters are needed for one
answer.

Listening questions are all in order. That is, the answer to question 1 comes on the recording before
the answer to question 2. Often answers are repeated. Questions become more difficult as the test
progresses.