Exam format
Listening
Available as a paper-based test
Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)
What’s in the IELTS Listening paper?
The paper has four sections, with ten questions in each section. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.
Summary
Sections 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations. There is a conversation between two speakers in Section 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). Only one person speaks in Section 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Sections 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. In Section 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Section 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
You will hear the recordings once only. Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.
You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to do this. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Summary
Time allowed:
approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet)
Number of sections:
4
Number of questions:
40
Marking:
Each correct answer receives 1 mark.
Your final score is given as a band score in whole or
half-bands, e.g. 5.5 or 7.0.
Types of question
Question Type 1 – Multiple choice
What’s involved?
This type of question may be a question with three possible answers or the first half of a sentence with three possible sentence endings. You have to choose one correct answer, A, B or C, then write the correct letter 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.
What skills are tested?
This type of question tests many listening skills, e.g. a detailed understanding of specific points, or general understanding of the main points of the recording.
How many questions are there?
Variable.
Question Type 2 – Matching
What’s involved?
In this type of question, you have to match a list of items from the recording to a list of options on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.
What skills are tested?
This type of question tests your ability to:
listen for detailed information. For example, whether you can understand information about the type of hotel or guest house accommodation in an everyday conversation.
follow a conversation between two people.
recognise how facts in the recording are connected to each other.
How many questions are there?
Variable.
Question Type 3 – Plan, map, diagram labelling
What’s involved?
In this type of question, you have to complete labels on a visual which may be:
a diagram (e.g. a piece of equipment)
a set of pictures
a plan (e.g. of a building)
a map (e.g. of part of a town).
You may have to:
select your answers from a list on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet
select words from the recording which fit into gaps on the question paper. In this case, you will need to keep to the word limit given in the instructions. You do not have to change the words in the recording in any way. 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. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.
What skills are tested?
This type of question tests your ability to understand, for example, a description of a place, and how this description relates to the visual. It may also test your ability to understand explanations of where things are and follow directions (e.g. straight on/through the far door).
How many questions are there?
Variable.
Question Type 4 – Form, note, table, flowchart, summary completion
What’s involved?
In this type of question, you have to fill in gaps in an outline of part or all of the recording. The outline will focus on the main ideas/facts in the recording and may be:
a form: often used for facts, such as names
a set of notes: used to summarise information and show how different points relate to one another
a table: used to summarise information that can be divided into clear categories, e.g. place/time/price
a flowchart: used to summarise the stages in a process, with the direction of the process shown by arrows.
You may have to:
select your answers from a list on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet
select words from the recording which fit into gaps on the question paper. In this case, you will need to keep to the word limit given in the instructions. You do not have to change the words in the recording in any way. 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. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.
The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.
What skills are tested?
This type of question focuses on the main points the person listening would naturally write down.
How many questions are there?
Variable.
Question Type 5 – Sentence completion
What’s involved?
In this type of question, you have to read sentences that summarise important information from either all of the listening text or from one part of it. You have to fill in a gap in each sentence using information from the recording. 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. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.
What skills are tested?
This type of question focuses on your ability to identify the important information in a recording. You may also need to understand relationships between ideas/facts/events, such as cause and effect.
How many questions are there?
Variable.
Question Type 6 – Short-answer questions
What’s involved?
In this type of question, you have to read a question and write a short answer using information from the recording. 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. Write your answer on the answer sheet.
Sometimes you are given a question which asks you to write two or three different points.
What skills are tested?
This type of question focuses on your ability to listen for facts, such as places, prices or times, heard in the recording.
How many questions are there?
Variable.
DOs and DON’Ts
DOs
Listen carefully to the introduction to each section. This will give you useful information about the situation and the speakers.
Use the time at the beginning of each section (and in the middle of Sections 1–3) to look through the questions and think about the topic.
Read the instructions for each task carefully. Remember to check the maximum number of words allowed.
Write all your answers as you listen – remember, you won’t hear the recording a second time.
Check that what you write makes sense in the context.
Answer all the questions even if you don’t feel sure about an answer – you may have understood more than you think.
Wait until the end of the test to transfer your answers. You have ten minutes for this, which is plenty of time.
Write clearly when you transfer your answers. If an answer isn’t clear on your answer sheet, you will lose the mark.
Check your spelling (and grammar, where necessary).
DON'Ts
Don't worry if you have to cross out or change an answer.
Don't panic if you miss one question. Look ahead and concentrate on the next one.
Don't try to rephrase what you hear. Write down the words you hear which fit the question.
Don’t write more than the maximum number of words or letters allowed for each answer.
Don’t copy any words that were printed before or after the gaps on the question paper when you transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is the Listening paper different for Academic and General Training?
No. All candidates take the same paper.
What information will I get before each section?
At the beginning of each section you will hear a short description of the situation you are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the question paper, so it is important to listen carefully.
Are all the sections equally difficult?
No. IELTS Listening tests a wide range of abilities, so the sections generally get more difficult from Section 1 to Section 4.
Will I have time to look at the questions before I listen?
Yes, there is time to look at the questions before each section. The voice on the recording will tell you which questions to look at.
Will there be an example at the beginning?
Yes, there is an example at the beginning of Section 1. The recording relating to the example is played twice.
How many times do I hear the recording?
You will hear each recording ONCE only.
Are the questions in the same order as the information in the recording?
Yes. This is true for all task types in IELTS Listening.
Will there be a pause during the recording?
There is a pause between each of the sections. Also, there is one break during each of Sections 1, 2 and 3 to allow you time to look at the following questions. However, there is NOT a break in Section 4.
Will I have time to check my answers at the end of each section?
Yes.
What accents do the speakers have on the recordings?
You will hear a range of English native speaker accents on the recordings, e.g. Australian, British and North American speakers.
When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?
Yes. Answers which are longer than the word limit will be marked as incorrect.
Do answers in IELTS Listening have to be correctly spelled?
Yes. You will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar. However, words which you have to write will usually be common words. Both UK and US spellings are accepted. When you hear the name of a person, place, company, etc., in the recording, this may be spellePeople’s Career, Lakdi-Ka-Pul, Hyderabad Teaching Center.
Phone: 8374545621 / 961 801 8708
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