IELTS Listening Map Labelling Questions

Map Labelling questions are quite common in the IELTS Listening exam and can be tricky since they ask applicants to identify places or items on a map while following a description. It aims to assess your listening comprehension as well as your ability to follow spatial directions.

Here, we will learn some pointers about IELTS Listening map labelling questions, discuss some strategies and map vocabulary and take up some practice tests to improve the listening skills.

Understanding IELTS Listening Map Labelling

Map labelling questions in the IELTS Listening actual tests are visual representation based on which you have to answer some questions with information from the audio.

• You will hear a monologue related to a map related to building floor plans (e.g., museum layout), campus maps or public places (e.g., parks, event venues, or streets)
• Sometimes, you are provided with a list of words, and you have to choose the correct name to fit in the map. Other times, there are no words, and you would have to listen to the audio keenly and answer the questions.
• They mostly come in the second part of the test. However, there is no strict rule.
• It aims to test your ability to connect information in the audio with the given map and fill in the gaps with the correct information.

IELTS Listening Map Labelling Vocabulary

Before you begin answering the Map labelling question, it is important to pay attention to the IELTS vocabulary related to maps, which might give you an idea of the location of the room. Here is a simple list of words that you’ll need for IELTS Listening map labelling.

• At the top / at the bottom
• On the left / on the right
• Left-hand side / right-hand side
• South / North / East / West
• Southeast / Southwest / Northeast / Northwest
• To the north / the south / the east / to the west
• Opposite / in front of / behind
• In the middle / in the centre
• Above / below
• Inside / outside
• Just beyond / a little beyond / just past
• Next to / alongside / adjoining (= next to or joined with)

Tips to Answer IELTS Listening Map Labelling Questions

Here are some effective IELTS Listening tips on how to ace IELTS Listening map questions:

• Study the Map Carefully - Before the recording begins, take a few seconds to scan the map. Look for marked landmarks like entrances, exits, and distinctive features (e.g., fountains, reception areas). These will often serve as starting points or reference locations. Also, pay attention to the numbered or lettered locations, as these represent places you’ll need to identify during the listening.
• Pay Attention to the Sequence in the Audio - The audio usually describes locations in sequence, guiding you step by step. Stay focused on marking each location as it's mentioned. If you miss one, let it go and stay with the audio to avoid falling behind. After marking a location, look briefly at nearby points on the map. This way, you’ll be ready to locate the next area quickly.
• Use Process of Elimination - If a location is unlikely based on prior directions, eliminate it as a possible answer. For example, if the audio says ‘to the left of the entrance’, eliminate all areas that are clearly not in that direction.
• Answer in Short, Clear Labels -You don’t need to write complete sentences. Short labels, such as ‘Café’ or ‘Playground’, are usually enough and save time.
• Familiarise Yourself with Directional Language - Practise understanding phrases such as "turn left," "next to," "on your right," "across from," "straight ahead," and others. These common words in IELTS Listening related to direction will help you follow instructions smoothly.
• Look out for Distractors - Speakers often correct themselves or add new details after the initial instruction. These are IELTS Listening distractors and might cause confusion and lead to mistakes. Stay attentive and don’t mark an answer until you’re sure it’s correct.
• Practise more Map Labelling Questions - Practise various map types (e.g., parks, shopping malls, universities) to build familiarity with common layouts. Additionally, listen to audio that includes directional language, like podcasts or audio tours, to improve your ability to process spatial instructions.

Common Challenges with Map Labelling Questions

While practising the map labelling questions, you might face unique challenges like the ones given below. Being aware of them is essential to be prepared for them and score a high IELTS band score.

• Understanding Spatial Descriptions: You will often hear complex directional language like ‘to the right’, ‘next to’, ‘opposite’, and ‘across from’.
• Listening and Marking Simultaneously: You must listen carefully while marking locations, requiring quick comprehension.
• Identifying Clues in the Audio: You need to pay attention to every detail, as small directional cues can be crucial for the correct answer.

IELTS Listening Map Labelling Questions: Sample Tests

Take the two IELTS Listening practice tests given below and get an idea of the areas to improve for a better score in this section.

Test 1

Listen to the audio and answer the questions.

Arts studio

Football pitch

Tennis courts

Dance studio

Fitness room

Reception area

Squash courts

Transcript:

So what exactly are the facilities? What sports can you play here? Well. This room we are in at the moment is called the Main Hall and it is used mainly for team sports such as football, volleyball and basketball but also for badminton and aerobics. On the other side of the reception area, there’s the dance studio. This provides a small or more intimate space which we use for ballet, modern dance and martial arts. Not at the same time, ofcourse. Then in a separate building, which you may have noticed on your way here, it’s on the other side of the car park, there are the squash courts. Six of them. And at the far end of the building, a fitness room. This is our newest facility only completed in the spring. But it’s already proving to be one of the most popular. As well as all these facilities available here on the campus, we also have an arrangement with the local tennis club, which is only two miles away entitling our students to use their courts on weekday mornings, in the summer. So I think there should be something here for everybody and I hope to see all of you at the centre making use of the facilities. If in the course of the year you have any suggestions as to how the service we provide might be improved or its appeal widened, I will be interested to hear from you.

Answers:

• Reception area
• Dance studio
• Squash courts
• Fitness room

Explanation for the answers:

• For the 17th question and 18th question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus: "On the other side of the reception area, there’s the dance studio". So the answer for the 17th question is “Reception area” and answer for the 18th question is “dance studio”.
• For the 19th question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus: "Then in a separate building, which you may have noticed on your way here, it’s on the other side of the car park, there are the squash courts. Six of them". So the answer for the 19th question is “Squash courts”.
• For the 20th question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus: "And at the far end of the building, a fitness room." So the answer for the 20th question is “Fitness room”.

Test 2

Listen to this audio and write the correct letter A-H, next to questions 16-20.

16 Box office ________
17 Children’s room ________
18 Café _______
19 Multimedia room ________
20 Showroom ________

Transcript:

I am delighted to show you the plans for a proposed new extension to the reception area. Please turn your attention to the project in front of you. If you enter through the entrance doors and go around the shop corner, you will find on your left the new box office. From this position, the box office manager can both sell tickets and ensure that no visitors can enter the museum without paying. From here, if you walk towards the door on the far left, you will come across on your way, a children’s room where visitors can leave their children to play whilst they explore other spectators. Directly to the right to the children’s room is when we originally intended to locate the café, but we felt that it would be better placed in the bottom right corner of the plan where we can create a more intimate atmosphere. Due to generous donations, we now have the available funds to build a fantastic new multimedia room where visitors will have access to computers, cameras, and TVs. This exciting new space will be in the top right corner but it is safely away from the entrance doors. Finally, the showroom will be built in the top left corner directly opposite the new multimedia room. I hope that you are all as excited about these new spaces as I am. Now that I am finished, I would be happy to answer any questions.

Answers:

16 C
17 B
18 E
19 H
20 G

Map labelling questions can be mastered with consistent practice. By improving your ability to interpret spatial language and follow directions, you’ll enhance your chances of scoring well on these questions. Remember to stay calm, follow the order of instructions, and don’t get hung up on any one answer.