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IELTS Listening
Four sections, each with ten questions. The questions are designed so that the
answers appear in order in the listening. The first two sections deal with situations
set in everyday social contexts. There is a conversation between two speakers in
Section 1 (for example a conversation about travel arrangements) and a monologue
Paper in Section 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities). The final two sections
Format deal with situations set in educational and training contexts. In Section 3 there is a
conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in
discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor), and Section 4 is a monologue on an
academic subject. The recordings are heard once only. They include a range of
accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and American.
Timing Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time).
No of
40
Questions
A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types: multiple choice,
Task Types matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary
completion, sentence completion.
During the Listening test candidates write their answers on the question paper as
they listen and at the end of the test are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to
Answering
an answer sheet. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as
poor spelling and grammar are penalised.
Marks All questions carry 1 mark.
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QUESTION TYPES
View Task Type 1 – Multiple choice

In this task type, there is a question followed by three possible answers, or the
beginning of a sentence followed by three possible sentence endings. Candidates
Task Type & are required to choose the one correct answer A, B or C.
Format Sometimes candidates are given a longer list of possible answers and told that
they have to choose more than one. In this case they should read the question
carefully to check how many answers are required.
This task type is used to test a wide range of skills. It may require the candidate to
Task Focus have a detailed understanding of specific points or an overall understanding of the
main points of the listening text.
Number of
Variable
Questions


View Task Type 2 – Matching

In this task type, candidates are required to match a numbered list of items from the
listening text to a set of options on the question paper. The set of options may be
Task Type
criteria of some kind.
& Format
Many variations of this task type are possible with regards the type of options to be
matched.
This task type assesses the skill of listening for detail. It assesses whether a
candidate can understand information given in a conversation on an everyday topic
such as different types of hotel or guest house accommodation. It also assesses the
Task Focus
ability to follow a conversation involving interaction between two people. It may
also be used to assess candidates’ ability to recognise relationships and connections
between facts in the listening text.
Number of
Variable
Questions


View Task Type 3 – Plan, map, diagram labelling

Task Type & In this task type, candidates are required to complete labels on a visual. The
Format answers are usually selected from a list on the question paper. The visual may be; a
diagram (e.g. a piece of equipment), a set of pictures, a plan (e.g. of a building), a
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map (e.g. of part of a town).

This task type assesses the ability to understand, for example, a description of a
place, and to relate this to a visual representation. This may include being able to
Task Focus
follow language expressing spatial relationships and directions (e.g. straight
on/through the far door).
Number of
Variable
Questions


View Task Type 4 – Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion

In this task type, candidates are required to fill in gaps in an outline of part or of all
of the listening text. The outline will focus on the main ideas/facts in the text. It
may be; 1) a form: often used to record factual details such as names, 2) a set of
notes: used to summarise any type of information using the layout to show how
different items relate to one another, 3) a table: used as a way of summarising
information which relates to clear categories – e.g. place/time/price, 4) a flow-chart:
used to summarise a process which has clear stages, with the direction of the
process shown by arrows. Candidates may have to; a) select their answers from a
Task Type
list on the question paper, b) identify the missing words from the recording which
& Format
fit into the form/notes etc. In this case, they should keep to the word limit stated in
the instructions. Candidates do not have to change the words from the recording in
any way. Candidates should read the instructions very carefully as the number of
words or numbers they should use to fill the gaps will vary. A word limit is given,
for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’.
Candidates are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words, and
candidates should check this word limit carefully for each task. Contracted words
will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words.
This task type focuses on the main points which a listener would naturally record in
Task Focus
this type of situation.
Number of
Variable
Questions


View Task Type 5 – Sentence completion

Task Type In this task type, candidates are required to read a set of sentences summarising key
& Format information from all the listening text or from one part of it. They have to complete
a gap in each sentence using information from the listening text. A word limit is
given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER’.
Candidates are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words.
(Candidates should check this word limit carefully for each task: the limit is either
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ONE, TWO or THREE words). Contracted words will not be tested. Hyphenated
words count as single words.
This task type focuses on the ability to identify the key information in a listening
Task Focus text. Candidates have to understand functional relationships such as cause and
effect.
Number of
Variable
Questions


View Task Type 6 – Short-answer questions

In this task type, candidates are required to read a question to which they have to
write a short answer using information from the listening text. A word limit is
given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’.
Task Type
Candidates are penalised for writing more than the stated number of words.
& Format
(Candidates should check this word limit carefully for each task.) Contracted words
will not be tested. Hyphenated words count as single words. Sometimes candidates
are given a question which asks them to list two or three points.
This task type focuses on the ability to listen for concrete facts - such as places,
Task Focus
prices or times - given in the listening text.
Number of
Variable
Questions
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TOP TIPS FOR IELTS LISTENINGS

Part 1- Predicting

Do you find the IELTS listening exam more difficult than other listening exams you have done? What makes
it seem difficult? It has the same format as other exams – filling in spaces, completing information,
matching exercises, and a variety of accents. So why does it seem more complicated?

The Listening exam has 4 parts, 40 questions and lasts 30 minutes. You then have another ten minutes at
the end of the exam to copy your answers onto the answer sheet provided. Parts 1 and 2 concentrate on
social needs or “survival English” – the kind of English you need on a regular basis if you are living in an
English speaking country, for example asking for information or getting directions. Parts 3 and 4 focus more
on the topics of education or training. You will hear a combination of dialogues between 2 or more people
and monologues.

One of the big differences between the IELTS listening test and other listening exams you may have done is
that you only hear it once. This doesn’t seem like a big problem until you have finished listening to it and
have just realised you missed the crucial information and need to hear it again.

So, what can you do to overcome this problem? Look at the following advice and practical examples.

1. One of the key things you can do is make sure you read through the questions before you listen. At
the beginning of the test, and before each new part of the test you are given time to read the questions
before you listen. This is extremely important as it gives you time to practise your prediction skills and
understand what information they are asking for and helps you predict your answers.

Here’s a typical example of an IELTS listening exercise. Which parts would you underline on a first
reading to help you predict what information is needed in each question? Before you listen,
decide what answers you think will go in each space.
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How well did you predict the information you need? Now try listening and see how well you do. Listen to
the text and complete the spaces.
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2. Reading the questions is obviously very important. As you’ve just seen, it helps you predict
the answers which, if you only hear a text once, is crucial to help you understand. It’s also very
important to read all instructions and questions to make sure that what you write fits into the
spaces and that you write the appropriate number of words.

TOP TIPS FOR IELTS LISTENINGS

Part 2 - numbers and spelling

More advice for the listening exams:

3. A common problem with the listening test is that you may be able to predict that you need a
number, but you have trouble distinguishing what the number is. Is it 15 or 50, 17 or 70? The only
thing you can do to help with this, is practise. Think of situations where you might hear lots of numbers
and listen to as many of them as possible. Click here to do IELTS 2 number practice.

4. Another problem is spelling. Everything must be spelled correctly. Make sure you’ve practised those
tricky letters. Do you know the difference between A-E-I, G and J, B and V? Think of the letters you
have problems with and practise them before the exam. IELTS 3 will help you with spelling
practice - click here to do this activity.

5. Spelling is always important even if the word is not spelled out for you. Try the following exercise.
One word in each sentence is not spelled correctly. Can you spot them and correct them? Click
here to do this activity.

6. A few more things to consider before doing the exam:

Make sure you read the questions carefully

It’s not necessary to understand every word
If you don’t know an answer, move onto the next question
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If you’re not sure about an answer, write something, you do not lose marks for wrong answers
The exam must be done in pencil – make sure you have a pencil and rubber with you
Spelling is important
Make sure your handwriting is clear
If the instructions tell you how many words you can write, follow the instruction – it’s there for a
reason
You have time at the end of each section to check your answers. As soon as you finish, move onto
the next section and start reading the questions to help prepare you for the next part of the text
You have ten minutes at the end to copy your answers. Make sure you copy the right answer next
to the right number.
Do as much practice as possible before the exam
Good luck!