IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening test is one of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. It assesses an individual's ability to understand and comprehend spoken English in a range of real-life situations. The Listening test is approximately 30 minutes in length and consists of four sections, with each section becoming progressively more difficult.

During the test, the examinee will listen to a variety of recordings including conversations, monologues, and radio broadcasts, and will be asked to answer questions based on what they have heard. The questions may range from multiple-choice to short answer, and will test the examinee's ability to understand main ideas, details, and inferences.

It is important to note that the Listening test is a timed test, and examinees must answer the questions as they listen to the recording, rather than after the recording has finished. To prepare for the IELTS Listening test, it is recommended to practice listening to a range of English-language materials, such as news broadcasts, podcasts, and audio books, as well as taking practice tests to get familiar with the test format and timing.

 

The questions

Before the listening recording starts, test-takers have 30 seconds to review the questions for each section. It is crucial to utilize this time to read the questions so that they know what information they should be listening for. The recording is played only once, and if something is missed, there is no opportunity to hear it again. The voices in the recording could be from English, Australian or American accents, and it is important to keep in mind that there are significant differences among these accents. For instance, a Cornish accent from England is significantly different from a South London accent.

The recording always begins with an introduction providing background information about what the test-taker will hear. This is followed by instructions about how the information should be used. The questions can be any of several types, and though the descriptions may seem confusing, they will become clearer after taking some practice tests.

Multiple choice.

Sometimes you have to choose one answer

Sometimes you have to choose the correct picture or diagram

Sometimes you must choose more than one answer to get a mark

Sometimes you must choose more than one answer, and each answer is worth a mark.

Short answers

Usually these are one word or a number, but you might need up to three words. (numbers count as words, so 46, or forty-six is one word)

Short answers might be answers by themselves, or you might need to use answer to finish a sentence.

Completing notes or a diagram

Sometimes you need to put words in different places

Sometimes you have to choose a word from a list

Sometimes you have to match up two different lists (for example names and addresses)

Sometimes you have to label parts of a map or a diagram

Classification

Sometimes you have a list to sort out into types, (for example sorting people into groups)

Sometimes you have to match up two different lists (for example matching names and addresses)

The test

The four parts of the exam are divided into two conversations, and two monologues. They are also divided into social situations and training/educational situations. So you will get a social conversation and a social monologue, and a training/educational conversation and a training/educational monologue.

Part 1. This a social conversation, usually dealing with a 'transaction'. (For example someone asking for information or buying something.) You will need to listen for specific information (for example names or prices).

Part 2. This monologue is something you might come across in everyday situations - for example a public announcement, or someone giving instructions about how to do something, or describing a particular situation. Again you need to listen for factual details.

Part 3. This is a conversation in related to education/training. For example you might hear a tutor and student discussing the results of a test, or someone asking for an explanation. Many students find parts 3 and 4 more difficult because you must not just listen for facts, but also for people's opinions, and how they feel about the situation.

Part 4. This is an academic/training monologue. Someone will be giving an explanation or presenting an arguement. (Remember an arguement here is not a quarrel, but joining ideas together to reach a conclusion). You will need to understand the arguement, the main points and ideas and the conclusion. You may also be asked for specific facts or any opinions which the speaker reveals.

Hints and ideas for preparation

To prepare for the IELTS Listening test, it is recommended to listen to a variety of English language audio sources, such as the radio and songs with clear lyrics. This will help in developing an understanding of the language's rhythm and timing. Practice listening for specific information, such as in a radio interview, and make predictions about what will be said in films. Be aware of the cues that indicate information is about to be shared, such as "Please remember that..." or "I told you not to...". When taking the exam, carefully review the questions, and look for keywords and clues. Pay attention to the instructions, and know what type of answer is expected for each question. During the recording, write down any useful information, such as names being spelled. If you fall more than 10 seconds behind, it's better to skip some answers rather than relying on memory. Keep track of changes in information and be mindful of synonyms and unexpected answers. When transferring answers to the answer sheet, double-check for errors, but leave your original answer if uncertain. It's important to answer all questions, even if uncertain, as a possibly wrong answer is better than none.

Book you should have to practice your IELTS Listening:

Improve Your IELTS Listening and Speaking: Study Skills Pack

Barry Cusack (Author)