1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening

Kasturika Samanta

9 min read

Updated On Jan 21, 2025

Learning common words for IELTS Listening boosts vocabulary, comprehension, speed, and accuracy, helping you score a higher band score in IELTS. Download the IELTS Listening Vocabulary PDF for effective preparation.

Why is it important to learn the common words in IELTS Listening?
List of Common Words in IELTS Listening Test
Tips to Learn & Use the Common words in IELTS Listening

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The IELTS Listening test can be tricky, especially with unfamiliar vocabulary. However, knowing the most commonly used words can significantly improve your listening skills and boost your score. In the Listening section, you’ll encounter a wide range of vocabulary related to various topics. Learning common words related to these topics can be challenging, but we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently used listening words in the IELTS exam to enhance both your vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Wondering why this list is essential? Let’s check out the reasons before we dive into the word list—and don’t forget to grab your IELTS Listening vocabulary PDF!

Why is it important to learn the common words in IELTS Listening?

Vocabulary accounts for 25% of marks for all four categories of the IELTS exam, that is, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Therefore, the most important reason to become familiar with the common words in IELTS Listening is to help you with the test but also enrich your general vocabulary, which is beneficial for both academic and daily communication.

Is that the only reason? Let’s explore more of them below.

Improves Comprehension: Understanding common words improves your comprehension of the listening portions. You’re more likely to figure out the context and meaning of the passages if you are familiar with the common words in IELTS Listening, which will help you better understand the main ideas and predict or find out the answers.
Increase Speed: You have to solve 40 questions in the IELTS Listening section within a limited time. So, knowing the most common words in IELTS Listening helps you process information quickly and enables you to keep up with the audio recordings without getting lost or falling behind due to IELTS Listening distractors.
Reduce Spelling Errors: Spelling mistakes might affect your IELTS band score for the listening module. Therefore, mastering these words can reduce the risk of errors and misinterpreting key information, thereby improving your overall listening comprehension.
Score Higher: Understanding common words for IELTS Listening is crucial for scoring well on the IELTS Listening section. Since questions often require understanding specific details, missing common words can result in incorrect answers, ultimately affecting your overall Listening IELTS score.

Now get ready to read our list of common words in IELTS Listening to know the correct spelling of 1200 common words in the IELTS Listening test that will help you during and beyond IELTS.

Want to know more about increasing your IELTS Listening score? Reserve a spot for our free IELTS webinars!

List of Common Words in IELTS Listening Test

Here is a list of the most commonly used words in the IELTS listening test that you should keep in mind to avoid losing valuable marks. Be warned, some of these words are commonly misspelled by IELTS test takers. So, make sure to look at them daily from the IELTS vocabulary list for listening PDF.

Days of the Week – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
weekdays
weekend

Months of the Year – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Hobbies – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Gardening
stamp collection
Orienteering
Caving
Spelunking
Scuba diving
Snorkeling
Skateboarding
Bowls
Archery
ice skating
Dart
Golf
Billiards
Photography
Painting
Embroidery
Climbing
Chess
Parachute
Pottery
Woodcarving

Subjects – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Science
Politics
Architecture
Law
Geography
History
Biology
Archaeology
Literature
Statistics
Mathematics
performing arts
visual arts
Logic
Physics
Psychology
Anthropology
Economics
Philosophy
Chemistry
Humanities
business management
Agriculture

Continents – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Australia
Africa
South America
North America
Asia
Europe
Antarctica

Countries – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Switzerland
Turkey
England
Egypt
Mexico
Germany
Greece
Brazil
India
North Korea
Dominican Republic
France
Indonesia
Malaysia
New Zealand
United Kingdom
China
Italy
Nigeria
Pakistan
Singapore
Philippines
Denmark.

Languages – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Japanese
German
Linguistics
Bilingual
Trilingual
Polyglot
Portuguese
Mandarin
Bengali
Chinese
Hindi
Russian
Punjabi
Thai
Persian
Filipino
French
Italian
Greek
French

Studying at College/University – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

course outline
group discussion
Handout
Research
Proofreading
Experiment
written work
report writing
Experience
Reference
Textbook
student advisor
Teamwork
Module
Topic
Dictionary
Laptop
Printer
Assessment
Library
Department
computer centre
Classroom
Attendance
Deadline
Give a talk
Speech
Lecture
Tutor
main hall
computer laboratory
Certificate
Diploma
placement test
Facilities
College
dining room
Specialist
Knowledge
International
Accommodation
overseas students
Full-time
Homestay
Primary
Secondary
Intermediate
Media room
Commencement
Dissertation
Leaflet
School reunion
Feedback
Tasks
Outcomes
Advanced
Introductory
Extra background
Resources room
Staff
Higher education
Guidelines
Post-secondary
Faculty
Pupils
Pencil
Supervisor
bachelor’s degree
Compound
Foreign students
Schedule
Vocabulary
Student support services
Student retention
Publication
Registrar’s office
Stationery

Work & Job – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Designer
Occupation
Profession
Decorator
Architect
Engineer
Waiter
Teacher
Vacancy
Professor
Specialist
Manager
Waitress
Psychologist
Volunteer
Craftsman
Work experience
Curriculum vitae
Freelance
Secretary
Mail address
Receptionist
Pilot
Lecturer
Office assistant
Clerk
Accountant
Guard
flight attendant
Cashier
Captain

Health – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Yoga
Tai-chi
Keep-fit
Salad bar
Vegetarian
Outdoor activities
Leisure time
Disease
Meal
Protein
Balanced diet
Food pyramid
Vitamin
Carbohydrates
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes
Pizza
Tomatoes
Bread
Cereals
Minerals
Zinc
Meat
Seafood
Eggs
Beans
Milk
Cheese
Yoghurt
Fruit
Vegetables
Citrus fruits
Green pepper
Blackcurrant
Nuts
Egg yolk
Liver
Medicine
Treatment
Remedy
Nursing care
Nursery
Regular exercise

Nature – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Field
Footbridge
River
Mountain
Forest
Village
Environment
Waterfall
Coast
Reef
Lake
Valley
Peninsula
Earthquake
Avalanche
Typhoon
Hill
Cliff
Island
Desertification
Volcano
Disaster
Landslides
Storm
Flood
Hurricane
Pond
Catastrophe
Erosion
Jungle
Oasis
Dam
Canyon

Environment – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Coal
Fossil fuels
Acid rain
Global warming
Carbon dioxide
Greenhouse effect
Burning fossil
Exhaust fumes
Smog
Climate
Pollution
Temperature
Power plants
Deforestation
Nitrogen oxide
Landfill
Cattle
Wind turbine
Renewable
Source of energy
Reliable
Solar panels
Solar power
Hydroelectric power
Environmentally friendly
Oxygen
Chemical-free
Vegetation
Sea level
Ocean currents
Soil conditioner
Firewood
Desert
Degradation
Drought
Contaminated

Marketing – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Catalogue
Interview
Research method
Entertainment industry
TV program
Strategies
Leadership
Management
Customer
Special offer
Collecting data
Display
Products
Questionnaire
Survey
Mass media
Poll
Business card
Training
Trainee
Statistic
Profit margin
Newsletter
Competition
Merchandise
Manufacture
Recruitment

Architecture & Buildings – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Dome
Palace
Fort
Castle
Glasshouse
Pyramid
Log cabin
Lighthouse
Hut
Skyscraper
Sculpture

Homes – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Chimney
Bedroom
Semi-detached house
Duplex
Townhouse
Row house
Bungalow
Thatched cottage
Mobile home
Houseboat
A block of flats
Apartment building
Condominium
Basement
Landlord
Terraced house
Tenant
Rent
Lease
Neighborhood
Suburb
Dormitory
Story
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Microwave
Sofa
Coffee table
Ground floor
Oven
Hallway
Insurance

City – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Central station,
Cities
Street
Lane
City centre
Car park
Department store
Bridge
Temple
Hospital
Garden
Avenue
Embassy
Road system

Transportations – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Boat
Lifeboat
Cargo plane
Shipment
Container ship
Ferry
Liner
Canal boat
Narrowboat
Dinghy sailing
Hovercraft
Hydrofoil
Sailboat
Paddle steamer
Cabin cruiser
Kayak
Canoe
Punt
Gondola
Aircraft
Rowing boat
Rowboat
Helicopter
Seaplane
Airship
Hot-air balloon
Airport
Platform
Hire a car
Automobile
Crew
Passenger

Workplaces – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Staff selection
Clinic
Dentist
Reception
Appointment
Colleague
Workshop
Employer
Employment
Unemployed
Technical cooperation
Team leaders
Showroom
Information desk
Stress
Ability
Vision
Employee
Internship
Confidence

Places – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Parliament
Accommodation
Local library
Swimming pool
Cafeteria
Cottage
Restaurant
Bookshop
Sports centre
City council
Canteen
Cafe
Dance studio
Park
Conversation club
Kindergarten

Money – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Cash
Debit
Low-risk investment
Credit card
Cheque
Annual fee
Monthly membership
Tuition fees
Poverty
Bank statement
Money management
Current account
Interest rate
Deposit
Student account
Withdraw
Mortgage
Grace period
In advance
Budget deficit
Retail voucher
Coupon
Counterfeit money
Debt
Interest-free credit
Purchase
Partial refund
Annuity
Public money
Taxpayers’ money
Income
Non-refundable
MasterCard
VISA
Duty-free store
Distribution costs
Finance department
Family finances

Rating and Qualities – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Expensive
Cheap
Reasonable
Satisfactory
Dangerous
Poor quality
Satisfied
Disappointed
Efficient
Luxurious
Safe
Strongly recommended
Coloured
Spotted
Striped

Touring – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Souvenir
Trip
Tourist guided tour
Ticket office
Guest
Reservation
View
Culture
Single double-bedded room
Picnic
Tourist attraction
Hostel
Suite
Memorable
Aquarium

Adjectives – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Energetic
Social
Ancient
Necessary
Fantastic
Exciting
Fabulous
Dull
Comfortable
Convenient
Suitable
Affordable
Voluntary
Mandatory
Compulsory
Temporary
Permanent
Immense
Vast
Salty
Extinct
Vulnerable
Pessimistic
Optimistic
Realistic
Practical
Knowledgeable
Flexible
Confident
Western
Intensive
Tranquil
Spectacular
Intact
Various

Verbs – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Train
Develop
Collect
Supervise
Mark
Edit
Revise
Exhibit
Donate
Surpass
Register
Support
Hunt
Persuade
Concentrate
Discuss
Suggest
Arrange
Borrow
Immigrate
Review
Learn
Touch

Sports – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Jet-skiing
Bodyboarding
Snowboarding
Cricket
Baseball
Basketball
Rugby
Hang-gliding
Skydiving
Soccer
American football
Hockey
Swimming
Tennis
Squash
Javelin
Badminton
Ping-pong
Field
Court
Pitch
Stadium
Team
Discus
Hammer
High jump
Horse racing
Show jumping
Polo
Cycling
Canoeing
Refreshment
Gymnasium
Extreme sports
Paragliding
Abseiling
Athlete
Gym
Bungee jumping
White-water rafting
Surfing
Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Mountain biking
Push-up
Judo
Recreation
Jogging
Press-up
Snooker
Walking
Barbell
Treadmill
Championship

Shapes – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Oval
Square
Rectangular
Triangular
Polygon
Spherical
Circular
Curved
Cylindrical
Three dimensions
Measurement
Width
Length
Altitude
Imperial system
Metric system
Spiral
Mass
Depth
Breadth
Height
Frequency

Weather – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Humid
Hot
Sticky
Breeze
Chilly
Cold
Cool
Dry
Dusty
Freezing
Warm
Wet
Weather forecast
Antenna
Moisture

Equipment and Tools – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Helmet
Light
Musical instrument
Cassette
Silicon chip
Digital monitor
Gadget
Device
Screen
Brakes
Wheels
Mechanical pencil
Disk
Backpack

Art and Media – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Opera
Orchestra
Concert
Symphony
The press
Conductor
Vocalist
Audience
Festival
Carnival
Exhibition
Classical music
Theatre
Cinemas
Art gallery
Museum
Ballet
Television
Radio
Graphics
Newspaper

Animal – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Lion
Penguin
Seabirds
Poultry and game
Birds of prey
Mammals
Genus
Species
Cetacean
Whale
Primates
Rodents
Reptile
Insects
Octopus
Phylum
Fish
Amphibian
Class
Order
Family
Livestock
Creature

Vehicles – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Camper
Double-decker bus
Single-decker
Minibus
Forklift truck
School bus
Coach
Truck
Tanker
Van
Lorry
Transporter
Tow truck
Breakdown truck
Pickup
Jeep
Taxi
Cab
Tram
Underground
Subway
Caravan
Tractor
Stream train
Freight train
Goods train

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Expressions and Time – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Midday
Three times
Three times per week
Millennium
Gap year
Full-time
Part-time
Midnight
Century
Decade
Fortnight

Materials – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Aluminum
Copper
Fur
Metal
Steel
Rubber
Plastic
Ceramics
Cement
Stone
Textile
Cotton
Fabric
Wool
Glass
Leather
Bone
Paper
Lumber/wood
Glue
Concrete
Wax
Silver
Composite
Fiberglass
Gold
Feather

Others – List of Common Words in Listening IELTS

Sufficient
Dialogue
Passport photo
State
Variety
Private sector
Practice
Gender
Creativity
Government
Individual
Original inhabitant
Indigenous
Demonstration
Circuit
Guarantee
Commerce
Carriage
Narrative
Strike
Entrance
Chocolate
Satellite
Decision
Prototype
Attitude
Activity
Recipient
Ultrasound
Pedestrian safety
Daily routine
Personal fulfillment
Traffic jams
Procedures
Creation
Senior
Opportunity
Driving license
Prize
Junior
Process
Literary
Man-made
Republicans
Waiting list
Sewer systems
Liberal democracy
Democrats
Umbrella
Frequently updated
Lunar calendar
Libertarian
Burger
Videos
Fund-raising event
Magnet
Dialect
Ramification
Straight
Nature conservation
Life expectancy
Farewell
Welfare
Encyclopedia
Illiteracy
Robot
Proficiency
Evolution
Revolution

Feeling overwhelmed with this never-ending list of common words in IELTS Listening? Don’t worry! We have collected the words in the most common IELTS listening words PDF so that you can download and use it later. To download the 1200 IELTS listening vocabulary PDF, click on the tab below!

Download 1200 IELTS Listening Vocabulary PDF

Tips to Learn & Use the Common words in IELTS Listening

To effectively use common words in the IELTS listening test, consider the following IELTS Listening tips:

Practice Vocabulary: You should regularly review and practice common English vocabulary words related to various topics, such as education, travel, work, daily routines, and leisure activities. There are many resources available online, including flashcards, vocabulary lists, and quizzes tailored specifically for IELTS preparation.
Listen Actively: Listen to a variety of English audio materials and pay close attention to the speaker’s pronunciation, intonation, and emphasis on certain words. This will not only expose you to different accents, speaking styles but also learn vocabulary in real-world contexts that will help you in the IELTS Listening exam.
Utilize Practice Tests: Take advantage of IELTS listening practice tests to assess your listening skills and check how the learning of the common words in IELTS Listening has enabled you to figure out the answers easily. It will enable you to analyze your performance, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your study strategies accordingly.

To summarize, the Correct usage of words and their spellings is the foremost requirement for well-written content. This IELTS Listening spelling words PDF download will help you to boost your IELTS vocabulary for listening and feel free to check out our IELTS vocabulary book or IELTS guide to focus on listening skills for more dictation words for IELTS and related IELTS Listening vocabulary.

Want to boost your IELTS Listening skills? Join our IELTS online classes and practice with expert trainers to master the 1200 common words and ace your exam!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How important are common words in achieving a high score in the IELTS Listening test?

Since common words are the basis for understanding spoken English, knowing them is essential to scoring well on the IELTS listening test. Proficiency in common language improves understanding and makes it possible for test takers to provide accurate answers.

Can mastering 1200 common words in IELTS Listening significantly improve my performance?

You can improve your score on the IELTS Listening section considerably by learning 1200 common words in IELTS Listening. However, while it's essential to have a broad vocabulary, focusing on the other aspects of the IELTS Listening exam is equally important.

Are there any specific strategies for learning and remembering common words for IELTS Listening?

Using flashcards, listening exercises, and incorporating new words into regular writing and conversation are some efficient methods for learning and recalling common terms.

How can I assess my proficiency level in common words for IELTS Listening?

You can use practice exams, listening activities, and tracking your comprehension and recollection of common vocabulary over time to determine your level of competency with common terms for the IELTS listening exam.

Can IELTS Listening vocabulary words be beneficial for other sections of the IELTS exam?

Yes, as many common words are used throughout the many language abilities examined in the IELTS, vocabulary studied for the Listening component of the test can help with reading, writing, and speaking sections of the exam.

Are there any recommended techniques for improving listening skills by focusing on common words in IELTS Listening?

Recommended techniques for improving listening skills by focusing on common words include active listening to various English accents, practicing with authentic listening materials, and regularly reviewing and reinforcing common vocabulary through targeted exercises.