IELTS Listening: Predicting Answers with Prepositions

IELTS Listening predicting answers is one of the most vital tricks you can master to use the given exam time efficiently. Moreover, when you have an idea of what to look for, you can increase the number of correct answers in the IELTS Listening exam.

Here, we will look at how you can predict answers in the listening exam using an example to help you understand better. Some IELTS Listening recent actual tests will also be provided that you can take up for practice and master this art of anticipating answers.

Predicting Answers in IELTS Listening

At the beginning of the IELTS Listening test, you will be given some time to go through the questions. While you go through the questions, you will also get an idea of what is being asked or what type of words will fill the gaps. In most cases, the type of words that answer the questions or fill in the blanks are:

• name of a person
• a place
• thing
• date
• time
• part of an address/telephone number
• amount of money
• other words

Let us take an IELTS listening example and try to predict which of the above types of words will be the answer.

So, anticipating the answer or the type of word will help you in making efficient use of the exam duration and predicting what to look out for in the audio.

IELTS Listening Predicting Answers with Preposition

Predicting the above types of words is straightforward due to the given headers and partly given answers. Another way of making IELTS Listening predicting answers easy is to use the preposition given before the blank. In that way, you get to know the context. Let’s take an example.

Sentence: The team decided to meet (at/on/in/no preposition) _______________.

Just before the blank, you can have any of these given prepositions and each will change the type of word filling the blank. In the table below, you can see what type of word can come after these advanced grammar for IELTS prepositions. Make sure to learn these for recalling quickly during the actual exam.

3 Things to Keep in Mind while Predicting Answers in IELTS Listening

There are certain pointers that you need to be mindful of when predicting answers in IELTS Listening for a better IELTS band score. They are:

• Predicting “Other Words”: Anticipating names, places, numbers or even words followed by a preposition is less confusing. On the other hand, predicting “other words” might be a bit challenging, as it can be anything. However, understanding the context will always help you to make this task easier.

For example, to fill the gap for question 5 (Reason for visit to town: to go to the …………………………), you need to listen for a specific place like the bank or the dentist’s.

• Following the Word Limit: In the table above, you will find out that with preposition, ‘in’, the word to follow can be ‘the weekend’ or ‘the station’. If you don’t use ‘the’ before weekend or station, the sentence will be grammatically incorrect. However, you have to keep in mind that following the word limit is mandatory. So, including ‘the’ can only be the answer if your questions states, ‘Answer in two words or more’. If your question states, ‘Answer in no more than one word’, you cannot write your answer as ‘the weekend’ or ‘the station.’

• Being Aware of Distractors: IELTS Listening distractors can easily confuse you when you are trying to predict answers. For example, to answer question 8 (having ………………………… parking places for bicycles), it can be an adjective like ‘safe’ or a number ‘4’. Even when you have narrowed down your prediction, you need to listen to the audio carefully. So, the only way to avoid making mistakes is to improve your listening skills and be aware of distractors.

Practice Tests for Mastering IELTS Listening Predicting Answers

It is time to take some IELTS Listening practice tests to enhance the skill of predicting answers in IELTS Listening. During the actual exam, you would have some time to look at the questions. But it is not included here since you have already had time to go through the questions.

Test 1

Transport Survey

Name: Luisa 1 …………………………

Address: 2 ………………………… White Stone Rd

Area: Bradfield

Postcode: 3 …………………………

Occupation: 4 …………………………

Reason for visit to town: to go to the 5 …………………………

Suggestions for improvement:

• better 6 …………………………
• have more footpaths
• more frequent 7 …………………………

Things that would encourage cycling to work:

• having 8 ………………………… parking places for bicycles
• being able to use a 9 ………………………… at work
• the opportunity to have cycling 10 ………………………… on busy roads

Check Answers: Transport Survey - IELTS Listening Answers

Test 2

Hand knitting

Interest in knitting

• Knitting has a long history around the world.
• We imagine someone like a 1 ……………… knitting.
• A 2 ……………… ago, knitting was expected to disappear.
• The number of knitting classes is now increasing.
• People are buying more 3 ……………… for knitting nowadays.

Benefits of knitting

• gives support in times of 4 ……………… difficulty
• requires only 5 ……………… skills and little money to start
• reduces stress in a busy life

Early knitting

• The origins are not known.
• Findings show early knitted items to be 6 ……………… in shape.
• The first needles were made of natural materials such as wood and 7 ……………… .
• Early yarns felt 8 ……………… to touch.
• Wool became the most popular yarn for spinning.
• Geographical areas had their own 9 ……………… of knitting.
• Everyday tasks like looking after 10 ……………… were done while knitting.

Check Answers: Hand Knitting - IELTS Listening Answers

Test 3

Council Youth Scheme
Application for funding for group project

Name: Ralph Pearson

Contact address: 1_________ Drayton, DR68AB

Telephone number: 01453 586098

Name of group: Community Youth Theatre Group

Description of group:

• amateur theatre group (2_________________ members)
• Involved in drama 3____________

Amount of money requested: 4______________ £

Description of project: to produce a short 5 __________________ play for young children

Money needed for: 6________________ for scenery

Costumes:

• Cost of 7 ____________________
• 8 _________________________
• Sundries

How source of funding will be credited:

• Acknowledged in the 9_____________________– given to audience

Other organisations approached for funding (and outcome):

• National Youth Services – money was 10 _______________________

Check Answers: Council Youth Scheme - IELTS Listening Answers

Mastering the skill of predicting answers in the IELTS Listening test can significantly boost your performance. You can improve your efficiency and accuracy by using context clues like prepositions and understanding the types of words that typically fill the blanks, as shown in this blog. However, remember to practice with sample tests, improve your IELTS Grammar and manage your time effectively during the exam. With these strategies, you can confidently approach the IELTS Listening section and aim for a higher band score.

Also check :

• IELTS Listening Answer Sheet
• IELTS Listening preparation tips
• IELTS Listening Vocabulary
• How to Improve IELTS Listening Section 3 and 4?
• What is Signposting?