IELTS Listening - Test format

Fill the gaps with a word, phrase or number from the box below.

The listening test consists of four sections, each with ________ questions. The questions are designed so that the answers appear in order in the listening. All questions carry _______ mark(s). The recordings are heard ___________ only. They include a range of accents, including British, Australian, ____________ and American.

During the Listening test candidates write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test _____________ their answers to an _______________. Poor _______ and __________ are penalised.

Time: approximately _______ minutes (plus ____ minutes' transfer time).

No of Questions: ______

Task Types A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types: multiple choice, __________, plan/map/diagram ____________ , form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.

one 30 10(x2) 40 once matching spelling answer sheet New Zealand grammar labelling transfer

Choose the correct context and number of speakers, and match an example from the box below

Section 1

Everyday social / Education and training context. One / Two speaker(s) e.g.______________________________________________

Section 2

Everyday social / Education and training context. One / Two speaker(s) e.g.______________________________________________

Section 3

Everyday social / Education and training context. One / Two speaker(s) e.g.______________________________________________Section 4

Everyday social / Education and training context. One / Two speaker(s) e.g.______________________________________________

a speech about local facilities a conversation about travel arrangements a lecture two university students in discussion

Answers

Test formatFill the gaps with a word, phrase or number from the box below.

The listening test consists of four sections, each with 10 questions. The questions are designed so that the answers appear in order in the listening. All questions carry one mark(s). The recordings are heard once only. They include a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and American.

During the Listening test candidates write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Poor grammar and spelling are penalised.

Time: approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time).

No of Questions: 40

Task Types A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.

Choose the correct context and number of speakers, and match an example from the box below

Section 1

Everyday social context. Two speaker(s) (e.g. a conversation about travel arrangements)

Section 2

Everyday social context. One speaker(s) (e.g. a speech about local facilities)

Section 3

Education and training context. Two speaker(s) (e.g. two university students in discussion)

Section 4

Education and training context. One speaker(s) (e.g. a lecture)

IELTS listening - parts 1 and 2

The information in part 1 is given in the same order as the questions. However, the task is made more challenging in the following ways:

(1) The answers will be contained within a speech or dialogue. In addition to the information you need, there will be other information that you don’t need to write down.

Tip: While you are waiting for the recording to begin, look carefully at the question paper and make sure you are familiar with all of the information shown and know exactly what you need to write down.

(2) The information may be expressed using different words to those on the answer sheet.

Question: The museum is open ....... days a week.

Dialogue:Are you open every day?Every day except Thursdays.

So your answer should be six days a week.

Tip: While you are waiting for the recording to begin, think of other ways to express the required information. For example, if the question asks you to write ‘Tim’s job …….’, remember that the speaker might not say, ‘What is your job, Tim?’ Instead, he might say, ‘What do you do?’ or, ‘You’re an architect, aren’t you?’ If you are listening for the word ‘job’, you may miss the correct answer.

(3) The necessary information is not always given directly. If there are questions and answers in the recording, the answer may come after a clarifying question or slight digression.

Question: Melissa’s phone number …….

Dialogue:And your phone number, please?My work number or my home number?Actually, a mobile number would be best.OK, it’s 9123 7898.

(4) Distractors – other pieces of information of the same type are included so that the answer is hidden.

Question: Write the date of the meeting ..................

Dialogue:Shall we have the meeting next week?Yes, good idea.How about the 17th?The 17th.... isn't that the day of the safety inspection?No, the safety inspection is on the 19th.OK, but still, I'd rather make it later in the week. How about after the safety inspection?All right. What about the 21st?That sounds fine for me.Or the 23rd, if you’d prefer.No, I’m meeting clients on the 23rd.

You will see there are four dates mentioned, but only one, the 21st, is correct.

Tip: Don’t assume that the first piece of information of the type you want will be the correct one. Listen carefully and then decide which is the correct answer. Concentrate all the time. You can’t afford to let your attention slip for one second!

(5) There may be difficult words and complex language. Sometimes you will have to guess.

Question:

According to the speaker, the main purposes of the park are

A education and entertainment.B research and education.C research and entertainment.

Recording extract:

…We have lots of fascinating indoor and outdoor exhibits on our huge complex, spreading hundreds of hectares. Our remit is to give educational opportunities to the wider public as well as to offer research sites for a wide variety of agriculturists and other scientists.

Note that the key words ‘educational’ and ‘research’ are contained within a complex text that includes difficult words such as ‘hectares’, ‘remit’, and ‘agriculturists’. Also, the phrase ‘fascinating indoor and outdoor exhibits’ may trick listeners into thinking that entertainment is a purpose of the park.

IELTS listening - parts 3 and 4

As the test progresses, it becomes more challenging. The speakers do not speak more quickly; the examiners use the same techniques as in parts 1 and 2. However, the answers are hidden deeper in the text and you may have to listen for some time before the answer is given.

Question:

Where in Australia have honey bees been found in the past?

A QueenslandB New South WalesC several states

Recording extract:

Good morning, everyone. I’m sure that you know that the quarantine service regulates all food brought into Australia. Well, obviously they want to protect Australia from diseases that might come in with imported goods, but they also want to prevent insect pests from being introduced into the country, and that’s where I have my part to play. Anyway, my current research involves trying to find a particular type of bee, the Asian Honey Bee, and finding out whether there are any of them around in various states in Australia. We discovered them in Queensland once and eradicated them. Now, we’re pretty keen to make sure that there aren’t any more getting in, particularly to New South Wales and other states.

You will see that the answer comes after the speaker has been talking for some time, and that the distractors ‘New South Wales’ and ‘other states’ are also mentioned.

Also, the language becomes more difficult. You may need to know or guess the meaning of unfamiliar words in order to get the correct answer.

Question:

A problem with Asian honey bees is that they

A attack native bees.B carry parasites.C damage crops.

Recording extract:

What’s wrong with Asian Honey Bees? Are they so different from Australian bees?

Well, in fact, they look almost the same, but they are infested with mites – microscopic creatures which live on them…

To answer this question correctly, you have to know, or be able to guess, the meanings of the words parasites, infested, mites, and microscopic.

Tip: While you are waiting for the recording to start, read the questions carefully and try to guess the meanings of any unfamiliar words from context or word formation. In the above example, if you do not know the word ‘parasite’ in answer B, ask yourself, what bad things could a bee carry? (Not much - a bee is very small!) Disease, perhaps. Or maybe some kind of poison or fungus. Perhaps you know the word ‘parasite’ in your own language.