1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening

In the Listening section of IELTS, you can come across thousands of words from different topics. Learning all the common words in IELTS Listening that are frequently used related to those topics can be really challenging. 

In order to make your IELTS journey smooth, we have created a list of1200 common words in Listening IELTS that will not only boost your vocabulary but also help you improve your comprehension skills.

Are you wondering why this list is necessary? Let’s find out the reason before we scroll through the list of words.

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 distractors.
• Reduce Spelling Errors: Spelling mistakes might affect your IELTS Listening score. 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 IELTS Listening spelling list to know the correct spelling of 1200 common words in the IELTS Listening test that will help you during and beyond IELTS. 

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.

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

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 a document so that you can download and use it later. To download the 1200 listening common words PDF, click on the tab below!

Download 1200 common words in IELTS Listening PDF

Tips to Learn & Use the Common words in IELTS Listening 

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

• 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.

Learning the IELTS Listening Most Common Words for a Purpose: Conclusion

Correct usage of words and their spellings is the foremost requirement for well-written content. 

If you are wondering how to use the exhaustive 1200 common words in IELTS listening PDF for effective IELTS preparation, you may register yourself for our IELTS online classes.

Otherwise, feel free to check out our IELTS vocabulary book or IELTS Listening guide for more dictation words for IELTS and related IELTS Listening vocabulary. 

Also check :

• IELTS Listening Answer Sheet
• IELTS listening recent actual test
• IELTS Listening tips
• How to Improve IELTS Listening Section 3 and 4?
• What is Signposting?