IELTS Listening

Test Format
***Recorded tape played once only
– 30 to 40 minutes
– Four Sections, each with 10 questions
– Time allocated for
Reading questions
Writing and checking answers
Transferring answers to an answer sheet

*
*Based on Conversation and Monologue
*A variety of question types
*Multiple choice
*Short-answer questions
*Sentence completion
*Notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion
*Labeling a diagram which has numbered parts
*Classification
*Matching

Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 * Sectio
n 4
 Usually a
conversation
between two
people.
 Twoparts
 Can be socialor
academic setting
Personal details
 About 4
minutes listening
time
 Usually a
monologue of a
functional/ social
nature.
 Can be socialor
academic setting
 Information
giving
 About 3-4
minutes listening
time
 Usually a
conversation
between 2 to 4
people.
 Academicsetting
Information
sharing
About 4 minutes
listening time
 Usually a lectureor
speech given as a
monologue.
 Academicsetting
Information giving :
lecture
 At least 4-5
minuteslistening time

*
*Section 1 Questions 1-10
*Complete the table
*Label the rooms on the map
*Section 2 Question 11-20
*Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer
*Write NUMBERS OR NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer
*Section 3 Questions 21- 30
*Choose the correct letters A-C
*Write NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer
*Section 4 Question 31 -40
*Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer
*Write NUMBERS OR NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Probable Topic Areas
 About social and educational situations
 Academic context
 Details of assignments
 Plans for excursions
 Holidays

*
• Read the questions before you highlight key words
• Pay attention to linking words and discourse markers
• Check your spelling and grammar
• Guess- if you can not find the answer
• Transfer answers quickly but carefully
• Remember that the most important words are always stress the most
• Don´t leave any space on your answer sheet

*
 In this task type, there is a question followed by three
possible answers, or the beginning of a sentence followed
by three possible sentence endings. Test takers are
required to choose the one correct answer A, B or C.
 Sometimes test takers are given a longer list of possible
answers and told that they have to choose more than
one. In this case they should read the question carefully
to check how many answers are required.

*
•
• This task type is used to test a wide range of skills. It may require the test
taker to have a detailed understanding of specific points or an overall
understanding of the main points of the listening text.
No. of questions: Variable

*
In this task type, test takers
are required to match a
numbered list of items from
the listening text to a set of
options on the question
paper. The set of options
may be criteria of some kind.
Many variations of this task
type are possible with
regards the type of options
to be matched.

*
Be ready to listen.
The moment you hear the words "Section 1", "Section 2" etc. you should:
•Be prepared and ready to listen for the instructions that are given.
•Listen for details about the information contained in the coming passage, (e.g. who? what?
where? when? why?).
Learn to predict
In the Listening Test you use four skills at once. It is not surprising that candidates often
find this the most demanding of the four tests. You need to be able to:
• read the instructions and questions
• listen for general information
• listen for specific information
• write the answers as you listen for the answers to the questions that follow.

*
1. Read the questions and predict the types of information you need before starting the module.
2. Be alert for: synonyms for words and phrases in the options
•
•
the same idea expressed during different parts of speech
specific information, e.g., dates or numbers
3. Keep track of the time. You have a few seconds to read each section before you listen. You will
however have ten (10) minutes at the end to put your answers on the answer sheet.
4. Each listening text will only be heard once; it is important that you look for key words and phrases
before you actually start the exam.
5. The questions are in the same order as you hear the answers.
6. Don't spend too much time trying to think of an answer.
7. If you need to make a guess, base it on key words and phrases you have heard.

*
• 1. Before starting to listen, carefully read the numbered and
lettered lists.
• 2. The numbered list would always be in the same order as you
would hear it in the recording.
• 3. The ideas in the lists might not be expressed in the same way as
those in the recording.
• 4. In this type of question, you should listen for ideas; never listen
for particular words or phrases.
• 5. When you've chosen something from the list, put a line through it
so you won't get to use it again.

 Understand relationships between words (discourse
markers)
 Sequencing and following chronological order.
 Listening for specific information.
Strategies
Brainstorm any vocabulary or knowledge that you have
of the picture or topics.

Task Type 4- Form, note, table, flow-
chart, summary completion
Task Type and Format
1) Form: often It’s used to record details for example (names)
2) Set of notes: It’s used to summaries any kind of information using designs in order to show
how different elements relate to one another
3) Table: It’s used to summarizing information which relates to clear categories –
e.g. place/time/price
4) Flow-chart: It’s used to summaries a process which has clear stages, with the direction of
the process shown by arrows
Test takers have to take into account:
A) Select their answers from a list on the question paper
B) Identify the missing words from the recording which fit into the form/notes, etc.
C) Read the instructions very carefully as the number of words or numbers they should use to fill
the gaps will vary. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER’

Task type 5 – Sentence completion
 Required to read a set of sentences summarizing key
information from all the listening text or from one part of it
 Complete a gap in each sentence using information from the
listening text.
 A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN ONE,
TWO or THREE words
Strategies:
 Contractions are not use when word limits are given
 Use scanning for information
 Make sure that you have the general understanding on the
passage before starting to complete

*
 Remember the answer is short no more tan three words and- or
number.
 Contractions are not used when word- limits are given.
 Listening the specific information.
 Look at the given information to identify the type of information
required.
 Look and read the questions before of start the listening test.

*
*Before you listen, survey the questions and try to build up an
idea and reason for listening; e.g. what is the topic? What is
the situation? How many characters are there?
*Follow the instruction carefully, get the information and
answer the question accurately
*Care should be taken when writing answers on the
answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are
penalized.

*
*Your purpose of listening is to identify what the question requires
you to
*It is not necessary to understand every word that is spoken
*You will hear the information once only, so prepare yourself by
anticipating what you will hear
*Read and analyze the question as pre-listening task

IELTS Listening

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IELTS Listening