IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening test is the same for Academic and General Training. You listen to four recordings and answer 40 questions in about 30 minutes (paper test-takers get 10 extra minutes to transfer answers). The recording plays once only, so focused practice is essential.

The four sections

• Section 1 — a conversation between two people in an everyday context (e.g. booking, enquiry).
• Section 2 — a monologue in an everyday context (e.g. a talk about local facilities).
• Section 3 — a conversation of up to four people in an academic context (e.g. students and a tutor).
• Section 4 — an academic monologue (e.g. a university lecture). No pause in the middle.

Question types you must know

• Form / note / table / flow-chart / summary completion
• Multiple choice (one answer or several)
• Matching
• Plan, map or diagram labelling
• Sentence completion and short-answer questions

Strategies to score Band 8+

1. Read the questions before each recording and predict the type of answer (a number, a name, a plural noun).
2. Watch the word limit — “no more than two words and/or a number” means three words = wrong.
3. Listen for signposting words (however, next, finally) that mark where answers change.
4. Never leave a blank; transfer answers carefully and check spelling and singular/plural.
5. Do not get stuck — if you miss one, move on immediately or you will miss the next.