IELTS Listening

Basic information, tips

Know the test:

• about 30 minutes
• extra 2 minutes at the end
• 40 questions
• 4 sections of 10 questions
• answers are always in order
• only 3 main types of question (gap-fill, multiple choice, matching)
• various English accents

You only hear the recordings once!

Do some real practice tests

Tips:

1. Read ahead (only check back at the end)
2. Underline keywords
3. Listen for keywords or synonyms
4. Be careful with spelling
5. Don't get stuck on a difficult question - move forward
6. Concentrate!

Section 1

• two speakers
• an 'everyday' conversation e.g. making a booking
• one speaker gives basic information
• simple gap-fill: missing details
• names, addresses, dates, times, numbers
• section 1 is easy, but you need a high score (9 or 10 correct)

Key technique:

Use the breaks to read ahead

• before each section starts
• in the middle of each section (except in section 4)
• at the end of each section

Don't check back, read ahead

Section 2

• use all of the break time at the end of section 1
• one speaker only
• a short speech about a non-academic topic e.g. tourism, a park, local facilities
• gap-fill, multiple choice, matching
• break in the middle
• still quite easy, aim for a high score

Section 3

• use breaks to read and underline
• two or three speakers
• conversation related to education or training e.g. tutor and student
• gap-fill, multiple choice (difficult)
• underline keywords in questions and choices
• listen for keywords or synonyms
• difficult section, aim for 6 or 7

Section 4

• use break at the end of section 3
• underline keywords
• no break in the middle!
• one speaker only
• speech about an academic topic
• gap-fill, multiple choice
• listen for keywords or synonyms
• difficult: faster speech, more content, extra information