Revision:
IELTS Listening
Welcome to IELTS Listening page. Use the resources below to prepare for your exams.
The IELTS listening exam consists of 4 parts,
taking approximately 30 minutes overall.
- There are 40 questions in total, divided by 4 parts.
- Each part contains 10 questions, grouped into 2-3 different question types.
- After 30 minutes, you have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
IELTS Listening Scoring
Your performance in the Listening test is evaluated based on the number of correct answers. Specifically:
- 39-40: Band 9
- 37-38: Band 8.5
- 35-36: Band 8
- 33-34: Band 7.5
- 30-32: Band 7
With consistent practice and the right approach, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in the IELTS Listening test. Good luck!
Lesson 1:
Multiple Choice
To score Band 9, you must recognize question types and apply the correct strategies. We will start from multiple choice questions.
1.1 Understanding The Format
Multiple-choice questions require you to select the correct answer from several options A, B, or C. These questions test your ability to:
Identify specific details
Understand the speaker’s purpose
Recognize paraphrased information
Strategy: Always assume paraphrasing
It’s important to remember that the speaker will not use the exact wording found in the question. Most of the time, the phrasing will differ. By keeping this in mind and considering various possibilities while searching through the passage, you can easily identify the correct answer.
1. How does BC Travel plan to expand the painting holidays?
A) by adding to the number of locations
B) by increasing the range of levels
C) by employing more teachers
2. Why are BC Travel’s cooking holidays unusual?
A) They only use organic foods.
B) They have an international focus.
C) They mainly involve vegetarian dishes.
3. What does the speaker say about the photography holidays?
A) Clients receive individual tuition.
B) The tutors are also trained guides.
C) Advice is given on selling photographs.
Answer:
The speaker mentioned that there will be five additional artists, dishes will be focusing on different countries, and clients have one-on-one tuition.
Correct Answer: 1. C 2. B 3. A
1.2 Memorize the Framework
Here is a framework that works for EVERY short multiple choice question. Applying this throughout the exam is fundamental to getting a high score.
Read the question first
Highlight specific terms in the question.
1. Locations, levels, teachers
2. Organic, international, vegetarian
3. Individual, trained, photographs
Listen for the synonyms
Keep paying attention to paraphrased keywords.
We've got an excellent team of artists to lead the classes - some of them have been with us from the start, and five additional ones will be joining us this year.
I know a lot of agents offer holidays where clients cook redoes related to one particular country. usually the one they’re staving in. But we focus on dishes from a great many different ones.
Groups are small, no more than eight. so clients can have one-on-one tuition during the holiday.
Compare options with the speech
Eliminate wrong answers.
Eg. The speech does mention having a large number of locations, but they have been doing this ever since, and they aren't increasing it in order to expand the holidays.
Pro Tip
If stuck between two options, choose the one that best paraphrases the speech.
You are now ready to move onto the next lesson.
Lesson 2:
Diagram Labelling
This lesson aims to enhance your ability to complete diagram questions, which can be the most difficult section in the exam.
2.1 Understanding The Format
In this type of question, you have to complete labels on a visual which may be:
- a diagram (flowchart, structure, etc)
- a map (you have to identify where each building is located)
- a building plan (you have to label each structure)
Strategy: Always stay on track
These questions, particularly those related to map labeling, can be easily overlooked without a proper strategy. The speaker will typically provide a reference point, and the direction of each structure will be based on that point.
Speaker 1 is giving directions to Block _____.
Speaker 2 is giving directions to Block _____.
Speaker 3 is giving directions to Block _____.
Answer:
You must first identify that Speaker 1 is coming from the Dance Studio, Speaker 2 is coming from the Admin Block, and Speaker 3 is coming from the Graphic Design Workshops. Then, just follow their directions to the destination.
Correct Answer: 1. A 2. C. 3. B
2.2 Memorize the Framework
Here is a framework that works for EVERY short multiple choice question. Applying this throughout the exam is fundamental to getting a high score.
Identify the Starting Position
Listen carefully to identify where the speaker is starting from.
"Where we are now, at the Dance Studio, is the North end."
Follow their directions
You can use your pencil to trace the pathway on the question paper according to their instructions. During the journey, identify the structures (footpath, labs, crossroads, etc) to confirm your answer.
"The best thing is to take the footpath from here to the road. The labs will be right in front of you when you get there. Then go to the crossroads and turn left and go down to the lecture theatre. Then at the junction at the end of that road, you’ll see a footpath leading to the block."
Pro Tip
If you miss something, don’t dwell on it; keep moving forward, or you risk missing the following questions.
You are now ready to move onto the next lesson.
Lesson 3:
Short-Answers
This lesson aims to enhance your ability to complete short answer questions, which can be the most difficult section in the exam.
3.1 Understanding The Format
These questions require you to fill in gaps in sentences using words from the passage. Normally, the question will require a word limit, eg. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.
You must use the exact wording, without any change in its form.
Strategy: Always check for grammar
The secret tactic is to always check if the answer is grammatically correct after substituting it into the question sentence. As IELTS requires you to use the exact word format, some possible answers may be logically correct but grammatically incorrect, which should be eliminated.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
1. Undergraduates from both the engineering school and the _____ department can definitely take part in the project.
2. The automated vehicles will have to avoid obstacles such as _____.
3. The tutor mentions one vehicle which used technology such as _____, lasers, and laptops to measure its surroundings.
Answer:
Be aware of distractors, eg. although the speaker mentions the automotive design department, it is only a possibility, so not “definitely”.
Correct Answer: 1. computer science 2. rocks 3. video cameras
3.2 Memorize the Framework
Here is a framework that works for EVERY short answer question. Applying this throughout the exam is fundamental to getting a high score.
Predict the word type
Take a guess of the word. Is it a noun, adjective, or verb? This allows you to have a brief understanding of what you are looking for.
1. Undergraduates from both the engineering school and the (a subject) department can definitely take part in the project.
2. The automated vehicles will have to avoid obstacles such as (a material).
3. The tutor mentions one vehicle which used technology such as (a device), lasers, and laptops to measure its surroundings.
Skim the passage
Locate the relevant paragraph/sentence and write down all possible candidates.
All the vehicles will then enter a race which will take place here in the U.S. So the engineering school will be collaborating with the computer science department.
...and avoid unexpected hazards. Things like rocks, for example.
That particular vehicle built a three dimensional picture of its surroundings using video cameras and lasers.
Ensure grammatical correctness
Substitute each word into the sentence, and choose the one that fits the most.
computer science --> singular
rocks --> plural
video cameras --> plural
Pro Tip
Sometimes, we focus too much on a specific term and narrow our thinking, which prevents us from exploring other possible words. Always remain open to more possibilities!
You are now ready to move onto the next lesson.
Lesson 4:
Matching
This lesson aims to enhance your ability to complete matching questions, which is often the most difficult and time-consuming section, troubling a lot of candidates.
4.1 Understanding The Format
These questions require you to match different options with the correct categories or persons. It is one of the most difficult sections, so ensure you perform well to achieve a high score.
Strategy: Simplify the options
The most challenging aspect of matching questions is the numerous options available. For instance, in the question below, there are six choices labeled A to F, requiring you to consider all of them simultaneously. Additionally, the IELTS exam often paraphrases the wording for each option, so it’s essential to look for similar meanings.
To tackle this, we recommend that you read the options in advance and simplify them into distinct aspects. For more details, see the example below:
What is the responsibility of each of the following restaurant staff?
Responsibilities
A) training courses
B) food stocks
C) first aid
D) breakages
E) staff discounts
F) timetables
Restaurant staff
1. Joy Parkins: _____
2. David Field: _____
3. Dexter Wills: _____
4. Mike Smith: _____
Answer:
The speaker notes that Joy is responsible for determining the staff’s work distribution and their working hours, which means managing the timetable. David handles injuries, similar to a first aid role. Dexter is responsible for dealing with broken plates, which relates to managing breakages. Mike is in charge of overseeing the inventory of perishable goods, such as flour and sugar, which means managing food stocks.
Correct Answer: 1. F 2. C 3. D 4. B
4.2 Memorize the Framework
Here is a framework that works for EVERY matching question. Applying this throughout the exam is fundamental to getting a high score.
Simplify the options
Summarize them into easy-to-track aspects.
training, food, accidents, broken, money, time
Look out for similar meanings
Listen to the sentences related to each category and determine which aspect they are closest to, as this is likely to be the answer.
Eg. Joy Parkins --> "How long they work for"
---> Time --> Timetable
Pro Tip
Not all options may be used (check instructions). Some options may be used twice!
Congratulations!
You have finished the IELTS Listening Course.
Now, let’s test your knowledge by conducting some listening mock tests!