IELTS Listening Practice Tests – How to Improve Your Score?
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Many candidates find this module challenging due to the various accents and pronunciation patterns. However, we have got the best solution to drive away the exam blues – IELTS Listening practice tests!
The purpose of the IELTS Listening exam is to evaluate your comprehension of spoken English in a variety of settings. Whether you are taking IELTS Academic or General Training, this section assesses your listening comprehension, focus and attention span. So, the ideal way to familiarize yourself with the accents, pronunciation pattern or types of questions in this section is to take the IELTS preparation listening practice test regularly.
But before we dive into the IELTS Listening model test, let’s get acquainted with the IELTS Listening syllabus.
Exploring the Syllabus for IELTS Listening Practice Test & Exam
The IELTS Listening test comprises four sections. In each section, you may hear one or more native English speakers, and then respond to the questions that are relevant to what you just heard.
Each of these sections have 10 questions which carry 1 mark each. As there are 40 questions in total, you will be scored out of 40, which will be converted to 0-9 IELTS Listening band score.
The difficulty of these portions builds gradually, making it harder for you to understand the information clearly and quickly.
- Section 1 – A conversation between two individuals in a standard social setting. For instance, you might hear a discussion for a reservation or placing a theft complaint.
- Section 2 – A monologue in an everyday social setting. For example, you might hear a speech about a local festival, or presenting basic information about an area.
- Section 3 – A discussion amongst two or more people in a training or educational setting. For example, you might hear a professor/tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a couple of students discussing a class project.
- Section 4 – A monologue on an academic subject. For example, you will hear a lecture from a professor or an expert.
IELTS Listening practice tests contain all these sections in the same pattern as they aim to provide you with a comprehensive actual test experience.
Struggling with calculating your IELTS practice test band score?
IELTS Listening Practice Tests
Now that you have the exam syllabus at your disposal, it’s time to use IELTS Listening practice tests to evaluate your abilities. These resources offer a priceless chance to practice listening comprehension, become acquainted with the exam style, and pinpoint areas that require work.
So, take up each IELTS exam Listening practice test one by one and achieve a Band 9 in this section:
| Practice Test 1 | Practice Test 2 | Practice Test 3 | Practice Test 4 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Tests Based on Question Types
The IELTS listening portion of the test consists of a variety of problems designed to evaluate different facets of a candidate’s skills.
Therefore, check out the IELTS preparation listening practice test based on the question types given with IELTS exercises for listening.
Multiple Choice Questions
In the multiple-choice tasks for IELTS listening, you are given a question with three possible answers. You are supposed to choose one correct answer out of the given options. In some questions, you can also be asked to choose from a longer list of possible answers, and you might also have to choose more than one correct answer.
Matching Questions
In the matching tasks for IELTS listening, you are required to match a numbered list of items from the listening audio to a set of options from the question paper. You are marked on your ability to identify and understand the relevant information from a conversation on an everyday topic.
Diagram/Plan/Map Labeling
In this category of IELTS listening tasks, you will be shown an image of a map, a diagram, or a plan from which certain graphical elements will be omitted. You are required to complete the image by filling in the missing details and information. Typically, there is a set of options given, and you are supposed to choose the answers from the given list.
Summary/Note/Table/Form/Flow-Chart Completion
In this task, you are given the outline of the listening audio. The outline focuses on the main ideas or features of the audio and you are required to fill in the gaps in the given outline. The outline may be in the form of:
- Notes/Summary – Summary or note completion can be presented in various layouts and is used to summarize any type of information and link different items from the recording together.
- Tables – Used to organize the data from the recordings into well-defined categories like price, place, time, etc.
- Forms – Used to record important information and particulars from/about the recording.
- Flow-Charts – Used to represent various elements or stages of a process that occur in a particular order.
A list of possible answers may be provided, or you may have to identify missing words from the recording. The word limit for your answers in this task is strictly tracked, and the word limit may vary depending on the given instructions. Writing more than the set word limit will impact your score for a particular question and you might not be marked for the same.
Sentence Completion
In this question type of the listening section, you are given a set of sentences that summarize the key information from the listening audios. Important words or phrases from these given sentences are left out and you are required to fill in the gaps using the information from the listening audio. This task also has a strict word limit and you will receive a lesser score for writing more than the stated number of words.
Short-Answer Questions
The short-answer questions in the IELTS listening test require you to read and answer a short question based on the information that is given in the listening audio. In this task, you are not given a list of possible answers, rather you have to create your own responses. This task also features a word limit that needs to be strictly followed.
Gain access to IELTS Listening practice test PDF with answers in one step.
Tips on IELTS Listening: Tiny Steps to Ensure Success
What is an IELTS practice without integrating IELTS Listening advice?
No worries! Given below are the top IELTS Listening tips and tricks to help you ace your IELTS Listening practice test with audio and answers and achieve your desired band score in your actual exam.
- Regular Practice: The secret to developing your listening abilities is to practice the IELTS Listening model test regularly. So, include daily listening activities in your study schedule to improve your comprehension of various speech patterns and accents.
- Concentrate on Keywords: Take special note of the keywords used in the recordings and questions. You can more efficiently go through the audio and predict answers with the help of these keywords and also by learning about signposting.
- Anticipate Answers: Using the context and keywords given, attempt to come up with some potential answers before listening to the entire recording. During the test, this strategy can help you stay focused and find the relevant data efficiently.
- Plan your Time Wisely: Wisely use the time that is offered between parts to evaluate your responses and prepare for the audio that will soon be played. During this time, highlight important terms and get ready in your mind for the subsequent round of questions.
- Improve Your Note-Taking Skills: Practice taking brief notes while you listen to recordings. Pay close attention to writing down essential details that will help in accurately answering questions, such as names, dates, and other necessary information.
- Remain Calm and Focused: While test-day anxiety is normal, it’s crucial to maintain composure and concentration throughout the test. To properly tackle each section, keep a good attitude and pace yourself accordingly.
If you need additional IELTS Listening Tips and more IELTS Listening practice tests based on actual tests, don’t miss out on the comprehensive IELTS Listening guide!
Practice IELTS Listening Mock Test with a Purpose: Conclusion
If you are preparing for the IELTS Listening exam, we would recommend you to take up IELTS Listening test practise regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at solving the IELTS Listening test with audio and answers within the dedicated timeframe.
You can also enroll in our IELTS preparation online classes to get your hands on the latest IELTS Listening practice tests or participate in our free online webinars to learn how to solve them directly from the IELTS experts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to solve the IELTS Listening practice test?
Can I prepare for the listening test from my home?
What are things that I need to review after completing an IELTS Listening practice test?
Are Listening IELTS Academic practice tests different from IELTS Listening practice tests for General Training?
How is the IELTS Listening test with audio and answers helpful for preparation?
Do you know if there are any special arrangements for people with disabilities during the IELTS Listening exam?
How will I use the IELTS Listening practice test when I am practising offline?
Can I skip any question while the IELTS Listening test practise or during the actual exam?
Is it important to brush up my vocabulary for IELTS Listening test practise?
What are the ways of note-taking while taking up the IELTS Listening practice test?
Practice IELTS Listening based on question types
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6 Comments
Linda Maruma
Posted on Sep 6, 2023
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Rita Chukwu
Posted on May 30, 2022
How can I get the ielts general reading practice material? Thanks
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Posted on Nov 7, 2021
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Ayoub
Posted on Sep 16, 2021
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Sarbjeet
Posted on May 11, 2020
Where I can find the listening’ s answer
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Zuhana
Posted on Jul 28, 2020
Hi, right below the passages and questions, you’d be able to find the answer key.