MULTIPLE CHOICE:

In a Multiple Choice, you are given several options to choose the correct answer from. There might be
one or more correct answer depending on the question so read the question carefully to check how
many answers are needed.

Multiple choice questions are used to test a wide range of skills. You may be required to have a detailed
understanding of specific points or an overall understanding of the main points of the listening text.

Sample Question:

PART 1
Questions 9 and 10
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
9 Type of insurance chosen
A Economy
B Standard
C Premium
10 Customer wants goods delivered to
A port
B home
C depot

*Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers

Tapescript for IELTS Listening Recording for reference to above question.

(A customer has been arranging with a shipping agent to send a large box overseas. This is the last part
of the conversation.)

A OK right. Now obviously insurance is an important thing to consider and our companies are able
to offer very good rates in a number of different all-inclusive packages.

B Sorry, could you explain a bit more?

A Yes, sorry, um. There’s really three rates according to quality of insurance cover – there’s the
highest comprehensive cover which is Premium rate, then there’s standard rate and then
there’s economy rate. That one will only cover the cost of the contents second hand.

B Oh I’ve been stung before with economy insurance so I’ll go for the highest.

A Mh’hm and can I just check would you want home delivery or to a local depot or would you
want to pick it up at the nearest port?

B The port’d be fine – I’ve got transport that end.

A Fine and will you be paying by credit card?

B Can I pay by cheque?

Answers

9 C
10 A

MATCHING:
You are required to match a numbered list of items from what you hear in the listening audio to a set of
options on the question paper. The set of options may be criteria of some kind. Matching questions are
common in sections two and three of the listening test. The instruction my vary so it is very important as
always to read the instruction carefully

Sample questions:

PART 3

Questions 21 – 25

What does Jack tell his tutor about each of the following course options?

A He'll definitely do it.

B He may or may not do it.

C He won't do it.

Write the correct letter, A, B or C next to questions 21- 25.

You may choose any letter more than once.

21 Media Studies

22 Women and Power

23 Culture and Society

24 Identity and Popular Culture

25 Introduction to Cultural Theory

 *Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers

PLAN, MAP, DIAGRAM LABELLING

In this type of question you are required to complete labels on a plan (e.g. of a building), map (e.g. of
part of a town) or diagram (e.g. of a piece of equipment). You might have to choose the answer from a
list of possible answers, or from the recording itself.

Sample Question
Tapescript

(Note:ThereisnoListeningrecordingforthistapescript.)

Youwillhearthelibrarianofanewtownlibrarytalkingtoa groupofpeoplewhoare visitingthelibrary.

OKeveryone.Sohereweareattheentrancetothetownlibrary.MynameisAnn, and
I'mthechieflibrarianhere,andyou'llusuallyfindmeat thedeskjustbythemain entrancehere.SoI'd
liketotellyouabitaboutthewaythelibraryisorganised,and
whatyou'llfindwhere…andyoushouldallhaveaplaninfrontofyou.Well,asyou
seemydeskisjustonyourrightasyougoin,andoppositethisthefirstroomon

yourlefthasanexcellentcollectionofreferencebooksandisalsoa placewhere
peoplecanreadorstudypeacefully.Justbeyondthelibrarian'sdeskontherightisa
roomwherewehaveup todateperiodicalssuchasnewspapersandmagazinesand
thisroomalsohasaphotocopierincaseyouwanttocopyanyofthearticles.If you
carrystraightonyou'llcomeintoalargeroomandthisisthemainlibraryarea.There
isfictionintheshelvesontheleft, andnon-fictionmaterialsonyourright,andonthe
shelvesonthefarwallthereisanexcellentcollectionofbooksrelatingtolocal
history.We'rehopingtoaddasectiononlocaltouristattractionstoo,laterintheyear.
Throughthefardoorinthelibraryjustpastthefictionshelvesisaseminarroom,and
thatcanbebookedformeetingsortalks,andnextdoortothatisthechildren's

library,whichhasagoodcollectionofstoriesandpicturebooksfortheunder
elevens.Thenthere'salargeroomtotherightofthelibraryarea–that'sthe
multimediacollection,whereyoucanborrowvideosandDVDsandsoon,andwe alsohaveCD-
Romsyoucanborrowtouseonyourcomputerathome.It was
originallytheartcollectionbutthat'sbeenmovedtoanotherbuilding.Andthat's aboutit –
oh,there'salsotheLibraryOffice,ontheleftofthelibrarian'sdesk.OK,
nowdoesanyonehaveanyquestions?

Answers:

11 H

12 G

13 D

14 B

15 F

GAP FILL QUESTONS

You are required to fill in gaps in a sentence. There are several types of questions that come under this
category. They may be:

1. A form: used to record factual details such as names, addresses, telephone numbers.

2. A set of notes: used to summarise information using the layout to show how different items
relate to one another.

3. A table: used to summarise 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.

You have to select the correct answer from a list given in the question or from the recording itself.
Sample Question:

Example of form completion question

PART1

Questions1–8

Completetheformbelow.

WriteNOMORETHANTHREEWORDSAND/ORANUMBERforeachanswer.
TapescriptforIELTSListeningRecording1

Youwillhearatelephoneconversationbetweenacustomerandanagentatacompany
whichshipslargeboxesoverseas.
A GoodmorningPackham’sShippingAgents.CanI helpyou?
B Ohyes,I’mringingtomakeenquiriesaboutsendingalargebox,acontainer,
backhometoKenyafromtheUK.
A Yes,ofcourse.Wouldyoulikemetotryandfindsomequotationsforyou?
B Yes,that’dbegreat.Thankyou.
A Wellfirstofall,I needafewdetailsfromyou.
B Fine.

A CanI takeyourname?
B It’sJacobMkere.
A Canyouspellyoursurname,please?
B Yes,it’sM-K-E-R-E.
A Isthat‘M’formother?
B Yes.
A Thankyou,andyousaythatyouwillbesendingtheboxtoKenya?
B That’sright.
A Andwherewouldyouliketheboxpickedupfrom?
B Fromcollege,if possible.

A Yes,ofcourse.I’lltakedowntheaddressnow.
B It’sWestallCollege.
A IsthatW-E-S-T-A-L-L?
B Yes,... college.

A Westall College. And where’s that?

B It’s Downlands Road, in Bristol.

A Oh yes, I know it. And the postcode?

B It’s BS8 9PU.

A Right ... and I need to know the size.

B Yes, I’ve measured it carefully and it’s 1.5m long ...

A Right.
B 0.75m wide ...

A OK.

B And it’s 0.5m high or deep.

A Great. So I’ll calculate the volume in a moment and get some quotes for that. But first can you
tell me, you know, very generally, what will be in the box?

B Yes there’s mostly clothes.

A OK. [writing down]

B And there’s some books.

A OK. Good. Um ... Anything else?

B Yes, there’s also some toys.

A OK and what is the total value, do you think, of the contents?

B Well the main costs are the clothes and the books – they’ll be about £1500 but then the toys are
about another two hundred – so I’d put down £1700.

Answers:

1 Mkere

2 Westall

3 BS89PU

4 0.75m/metre(s)/meter(s)(wide)/ three(-)quarter(s)(of)(a)metre/meter(wide)/

¾m(wide)/ 75cm(s)(wide)

5 0.5m/metre(s)/meter(s)(high/deep)/ (a)half(a)metre/meter(high/deep)/

½m(high/deep)/ 50cm(s)(high/deep)

6&7 ineither order

(some)books
(some)toys

8 1,700
Wordsinbracketsareoptional-theyarecorrect,butnotnecessary.Alternativeanswersare
separatedbyaslash(/).
Question Type 1 – Multiple choice

What's This type of question may be a question with four possible answers or
involved? the first half of a sentence with four possible sentence endings. You
have to choose one correct answer (A, B, C or D), then write the
correct answer on the answer sheet.

Sometimes you are given a longer list of possible answers and you
have to choose more than one answer. You should read the question
carefully to check how many answers you need to choose.

The questions are in the same order as the information in the text:
that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to
the second question, and so on.

What skills are This type of question tests many different reading skills including:
tested? detailed understanding of specific points or general understanding of
the main points of the text.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)

What's In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and
involved? are asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the information
in the text?’ You have to write ‘True’, ‘False’ or ‘Not given’ in the
boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the
difference between ‘False’ and ‘Not given’. ‘False’ means that the
statement contradicts the information in the text. ‘Not given’ means
that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the
information in the text. You must be careful not to use any
information you already know about the topic of the text when
choosing your answer.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to recognise specific
tested? information given in the text.
How many Variable.
questions are
there?

Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)

What's In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and
involved? asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the views of the
writer?’ or ‘Do the following statements agree with the claims of the
writer?’ You have to write ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on
your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference
between ‘no’ and ‘not given’. ‘No’ means that the statement
contradicts the writer’s view or claim. ‘Not given’ means that the
statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the writer’s view or
claim. You must be careful not to use any information you already
know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to recognise opinions or ideas.
tested?

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 4 – Matching information

What's In this type of question, you have to find specific information in the
involved? paragraphs (or sections) of a text. The paragraphs (or sections) are
identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). You will need to write the letters of
the correct paragraphs (or sections) in the boxes on your answer sheet.
Not every paragraph (or section) may be used and some paragraphs (or
sections) may be used more than once. When the paragraphs (or
sections) may be used more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You
may use any letter more than once’.

What skills are This type of question assesses your ability to scan a text in order to find
tested? specific information. Unlike Task Type 5 (Matching headings), it focuses
on specific information rather than the main idea. You may have to
find: specific details, an example, reason, description, comparison,
summary or explanation.
How many Variable.
questions are
there?

Question Type 5 – Matching headings

What's In this type of question, there is a list of headings which are identified
involved? by Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). A heading summarises the main idea
of a paragraph or section of the text. You must match the heading to
the correct paragraph or section. The paragraphs (or sections) are
identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). You will need to write the correct
Roman numerals in the boxes on your answer sheet. There will always
be more headings than paragraphs or sections, so some headings will
not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may
not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may
already be matched with a heading as an example on the question
paper. No heading may be used more than once.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to identify the general topic of
tested? a paragraph (or section) and to recognise the difference between the
main idea and a supporting idea.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 6 – Matching features

What's In this type of question, you have to match a set of statements or

involved? pieces of information to a list of options. The options are a group of
features from the text, and letters (A, B, C, etc.) are used to identify
them. Write the correct letter on the answer sheet. You may, for
example, have to match descriptions of inventions to the people who
invented them. It is possible that some options will not be used, and
that others may be used more than once. When it is possible to use
any option more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any
option more than once’.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to recognise relationships and
tested? connections between facts in the text and your ability to recognise
 opinions and theories. You need to be able to skim and scan the text
to find the information quickly so that you can then read that part
more carefully for detail.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings

What's In this type of question, you are given the first half of a sentence
involved? based on information in the text and you have to choose the best way
to complete the sentence by choosing from a list of possible endings.
The endings are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). There will be more
sentence endings than beginnings, so you will not use all of them. You
must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet. The sentence
beginnings are in the same order as the information in the text.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to understand the main ideas in
tested? the text.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 8 – Sentence completion

What's In this type of question, you have to fill in a gap in each sentence by
involved? choosing words from the text. You must write the words you choose
on the answer sheet.

You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of

words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word
limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit.
Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated
words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words.

The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.
What skills are This type of question tests your ability to find detail/specific
tested? information in a text.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 9 – Summary/note/table/flow chart completion

What's In this type of question, you are given a summary of a part of the text,
involved? and have to complete it using words taken from the text. Note that
the summary is not normally of the whole text. The summary may be
in the form of:

 a continuous text (called ‘a summary’ in the instructions)

 several notes (called ‘notes’ in the instructions)
 a table with some parts of it left empty or partially empty (called
‘a table’ in the instructions)
 a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show the order of
events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty
(called ‘a flow chart’ in the instructions).
The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However,
they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole
text.

There are two variations of this task type. In the first variation, you
need to select words from the text which fit into gaps on the question
paper. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet.

You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of

words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word
limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit.
Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated
words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words.

In the second variation, you have to choose from a list of words to fill
the gaps. The words are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.).

You must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet.
What skills are This type of question tests your ability to understand details and/or
tested? the main ideas of a part of the text. When completing this type of
question, you will need to think about the type of word(s) that will fit
into a gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.).

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion

What's In this type of question, you have to complete the labels on a diagram.
involved? The diagram is based on a description given in the text. The diagram
may be a type of machine, part of a building or of other information in
the text that can be shown through pictures. Write the words that fit
into the gap on the answer sheet.

You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of

words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word
limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit.
Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated
words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words.

The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However,
they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole
text.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to understand a detailed
tested? description in the text, and then relate that description to information
given in a diagram.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?

Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions

What's In this type of question, you have to answer questions about factual
involved? details in the text. You must write your answers in words or numbers
on the answer sheet.

Answers must be taken from words in the text. A word limit is given,
for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You
will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Numbers can
be written using figures (1, 2, etc.) or words (one, two, etc.).
Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated
words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers come in
the same order as the information in the text.

What skills are This type of question tests your ability to find and understand specific
tested? information in the text.

How many Variable.

questions are
there?
The speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is an oral interview between the test taker and
an examiner.The test is recorded butdon’t worry about it; the recording is to test the examiner and not
you. Even though the test is very short it is still divided into 3 parts.

Part Time Description

1 4-5 minutes
2 3-4 minutes
3 4-5 minutes
In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks
your identity. Then the examiner asks you general questions
on some familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies or
interests.
The 2nd part if the individual long turn. The examiner hands
you a task card that instructs you to speak about a specific
topic. The card tells you to explain one aspect of the topic and
lists the topics you should include in your talk. You'll have one
minute to prepare your presentation, and the examiner will
provide you with a pencil and paper to take notes with. Once
the preparation time is up the examiner will ask you to start.
You should speak up to 2 minutes. The examiner will stop you
when the time is up.
The examiner will ask you further questions related to the
topic in part 2. This section requires you to give opinions,
speculate and express reasons.

Assessment is based on your fluency and coherence, lexical resources (the range and accuracy of the
vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy and your pronunciation.

Fluency and coherence assesses how well you can speak at a normal speed without too much hesitation.
It also includes putting your sentences and ideas in a logical order and using cohesive devices (including
linking words, pronouns and conjunctions, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not difficult to
follow.

Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and appropriately you use
vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the ability to express yourself using alternative
vocabulary when you don’t know a particular word.

Grammatical range and accuracy assesses the range of grammar you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use it.

Pronunciation assesses your ability to speak in a way which can be understood without too much effort.

Quick Tips

You need to give longer answers to questions rather than simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ replies. It is important to
practise speaking for 1-2 minutes on various topics. Relax as much as possible during the exam.
There are two tasks in this module and it lasts one hour.

Task Time Number or words Description of task

1 20 minutes
2 40 minutes
At least 150 words Describe, compare and contrast information in
diagrams, charts or tables, or describe the
stages of a process, or explain how something
works.
At least 250 words Give solutions to a problem, or present
arguments in favour and against an opinion, or
give and justify an opinion.

Quick Tips

In order to do well in task 1, it is important to answer the questions clearly, and organize your answer
well. This may include grouping data appropriately and describing trends, rather than detailing every
piece of information given. Your answer also needs to be accurate and include a good range of
vocabulary.

In Task 2 slightly different assessment criteria is used. Here you need to ensure you answer the question
and include a clear and logical argument, giving evidence or examples where appropriate. Your answer
also needs to be well organised and have a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures used
accurately.

Timing is very important. Task 2 is longer and you can score more marks than Task 1. Word limits are
important. Writing less than the number of words stated will result in lower scores.

Nothing to worry here! Once you start using certain structures which we will teach you, it’s a piece of
cake.