IELTS Listening

As one of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a high band score in IELTS Listening can make or break your dreams of studying abroad, landing your ideal job or getting your dream university. That’s why it’s so important to understand exactly what’s tested in the listening exam, how it’s formatted and scored, and the techniques required to get band 7.0 or higher.

So, this blog aims to provide you with valuable insights, tips, and strategies to excel in the Listening section of the IELTS exam. With our expert guidance, you'll learn how to tackle different question types effectively and boost your confidence to achieve your desired score.

Understanding IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening exam is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts.

This part of the exam tests your listening skills through a series of recordings and questions, measuring how well you can comprehend information, follow conversations, and grasp the main ideas and details.

IELTS Listening Format

To master the IELTS Listening exam, it is recommended that candidates are familiar with the format of the exam.

• The IELTS Listening test lasts for approximately 30 minutes.
• It consists of four sections and each of these sections contains 10 questions, making a total of 40 questions.
• Each section has a different type of audio recording that includes various conversations, monologues, and discussions in various English accents. You'll hear each recording only once.
• The recordings are organized in ascending order of difficulty.
• You will have time to read the questions before the recordings begin and to check your answers afterward.
• The format and scoring of IELTS Academic Listening and IELTS General Listening are the same.

Breakdown of the Sections of the IELTS Listening Exam

Here's what to expect in the four sections of the IELTS Listening exams:

Section 1: 

• It is a face-to-face or telephone conversation between two people.
• The topic is of general interest or set in an everyday social context, such as booking accommodations or discussing travel arrangements.
• It usually comprises one or two tasks (there is a pause between tasks.)

This section tests:

• your understanding of specific information (Le. dates, everyday objects, places etc.)
• spelling (all words must be spelt correctly)

Section 2: 

• It is a talk / speech / announcement / recorded message / excerpt with one speaker talking (possibly introduced by another speaker)
• It is about a topic of general interest.
• It usually comprises two tasks (there is a pause between tasks).

This section tests:

•  your understanding of factual information
• you ability to select relevant information from what you hear

Section 3: 

• It is a discussion between two to four speakers (e.g. between two students and a university lecturer).
• It is concerned with some aspect of academic life.
• There are up to three tasks (there is a pause between tasks).

This section tests:

•  your ability to identify key facts and ideas and how they relate to each other
• your ability to identify speakers’ attitudes and opinions

Section 4: 

• It is a lecture / talk / presentation / speech, often in front of an audience.
• It is concerned with a topic of academic interest, like a scientific subject, for example.
• There are up to three tasks (there is no pause between tasks).

This section tests:

• your ability to follow the speaker’s opinion
• your ability to spell accurately
• your ability to understand and distinguish between different ideas (e.g. causes, reasons, effects, consequences)
• your ability to follow the way the ideas are organized (e.g. main ideas, specific information and attitude)

IELTS Listening Question Types

The IELTS listening test uses a variety of question types to assess your understanding. Being familiar with these will help you listen strategically.

Multiple Choice Questions

In IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions, you’ll have three or four options and you must choose the correct one. Listen for exact words or numbers that match the options.

Quick Tips:

• The questions will follow the order of the recording.
• You will be told either to choose ONE option from A, B and C, or TWO options from A, B, C. D and E.
• Always read the questions before you start. This wil give you an idea of what the retort is about and what to listen for.
• Listen carefully to the narrator’s introduction to find out what the recording is about
• As soon as you’ve freshed one question, listen out for the answer to the next (do not dwell on questions you aren’t sure of as you only hear the recording once; quickly move on or risk missing another answer).

Look at some IELTS listening sample for Multiple-Choice questions:

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4

Table/Note Completion

You have to complete a table or IELTS Listening Note Completion with information from the audio. Listen for specific data like dates, prices, and names.

Quick Tips:

• Always check the word limit in the instructions.
• Use the time before the recording starts to take at the heading and read through the notes.
• Look at each gap individually and guess what kind of word(s) they might be.
• Follow the introduction carefully when the recording starts; the narrator will tell you what the section is about.
• Focus on each question m turn as you listen to the recording. Keep up with the recording as it moves from one question to the next and do not dwell on gaps you have missed. There isn’t time and they will possibly cost you the answer to the next gap as well.

Sentence Completion

For IELTS Listening Sentence completion, you will be given the start of a sentence and must fill in the missing words based on the listening passage. Focus on grammar and meaning.

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4

Summary Completion

In IELTS Listening Summary completion questions, test-takers are required to listen to a recording and complete a summary by filling in the missing words or phrases.

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4
• Example 5

Labeling a Diagram/Map/Plan

In IELTS Listening Map Labeling, you will label a visual display based on the information heard. Imagine the diagram in your mind while listening.

Quick Tips:

• Read the instructions so you know what to write (e.g. a word or letter).
• Look at the map and try to understand what it shows and how each location might be described.
• Use the places already marked on the map to help you follow the recording.
• You will have to transfer the information you hear to a simple picture or plan of some kind.
• You will need to be familiar with the kind of language used to express where things are.

Practice some IELTS listening sample for Labeling questions:

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4

Matching Questions

IELTS Listening Matching Questions is a set of options to a list of main points or people. Listen carefully to match the parallel ideas.

Quick Tips:

• Matching requires you to listen to detailed information and connect it to a number of places, people, groups etc.
• You will only hear the part of the recording related to the matching task ONCE.
• Match ONE piece of information from the box to each question.

Short Answer Questions:

In IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions, you need to write a word, a few words, or a number that you hear. Pay close attention to capturing details.

Each of these tests a different skill, from identifying key details to linking ideas. The listening tests will be of the same type for both academic as well as general training categories. Expect a mix of question types in each part.

IELTS Listening Band Score

The IELTS listening band descriptors system starts from 1 (non-user) to 9 (expert user).

You'll get 1 mark for each correct answer, so the total marks equal the number of questions (40). The total marks are converted to a band score using the official IELTS 9-band scale. Remember that IELTS academic listening scoring is the same as IELTS General Listening scoring process.

To know more about IELTS Listening scoring, check out the table that illustrates IELTS band scores calculation.

IELTS Listening Material for Better Preparation

With different kinds of IELTS study material available on the internet, it is difficult to choose the best ones. So, here is a list of videos, free IELTS Listening practice tests and relevant links to help you save time and focus on your preparation.

Youtube Videos

• IELTS Listening Table Completion Tips
• IELTS Listening Note Completion Tips
• IELTS Listening 2024 Flow Chart Completion
• IELTS Listening Summary Completion Task
• IELTS Listening Answer Short Question

IELTS Listening Practice Tests

• IELTS Listening Practice Test 2024 with Answers | 31.01.2024 | FULL IELTS Listening Test
• IELTS Listening Practice Test 2024 with Answers | 14.02.2024 | February 2024
• IELTS Listening Practice Test OCTOBER 2023 with Answers | 16.2.2023
• IELTS Listening Practice Test 2024 with Answers | 18.02.2024
• IELTS Listening Practice Test 2024 with Answers | 02.03.2024

IELTS Listening Study Materials

• How to improve listening sections 3 and 4?
• Useful Resources & Websites For IELTS Listening
• Improve Your Skills: Listening & Speaking For IELTS 6.0 – 7.5 (Ebook)
• 1200 Commonly Repeated Words In the IELTS Listening Test
• IELTS Listening Recent Actual Tests Volume 3 (Ebook & Audio)
• IELTS Listening Recent Actual Tests Volume 4 (Ebook & Audio)
• 15 Days’ Practice For IELTS Listening (Ebook & Audio)
• Should You Use All Capital Letters In The IELTS Listening And Reading Tests

Top Tips for Success in IELTS Listening

To get a high overall band for IELTS Listening, you need to excel in the listening test. And for that, implementing the following tips to maximize your IELTS Listening preparation is crucial. So, let’s have a look at some of the top IELTS Listening tips:

• Expand your vocabulary - Make flashcards for common vocabulary topics like education, work, travel, health, hobbies, and technology. Listen to vocabulary-building audio lessons.
• Get familiar with accents - Train your ear by watching TV shows, movies, and news clips with different English accents like British, Australian, and American. Focus on comprehending fast, natural speech.
• Listen for key details - Practice picking out important numbers, stats, dates, names, and facts when listening. Note these down rather than trying to understand everything.
• Take organized notes - Develop your own shorthand style of note-taking. Use abbreviations, symbols, and formatting to capture info quickly.
• Analyze questions - Read questions carefully before listening and predict the type of answer needed to be based on keywords like "when", "how many", and "why".
• Improve concentration - If you lose focus, take a deep breath and zero in on the next question. Don't let one lapse affect your whole test.
• Listen for paraphrases - Answers won't be exact words from the audio so listen for synonyms and rephrased options.
• Learn question strategies - Study techniques for multiple choice, fill in the blanks, matching, and other question types.
• Review answers - Double-check at the end for silly mistakes. Make sure answers are clear and properly spelled.
• Develop speed - Practice doing sample tests against the clock to improve your listening pace and efficiency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening

Given below are 5 common mistakes that candidates usually make in the IELTS Listening module. So, take note of them and practice enough to avoid them.

• Missing Instructions: Carefully read and follow the instructions for each question type to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
• Overlooking Plural Forms: Pay attention to singular and plural forms, as they can change the meaning of an answer.
• Writing Answers in the Wrong Format: Ensure you write answers in the correct format, such as dates and times.
• Ignoring Synonyms: Be aware of synonyms and paraphrasing, which are commonly used in the test.
• Not Reviewing Answers: Use any remaining time to review your answers and correct any obvious mistakes.

IELTS Listening requires consistent practice, strategic preparation, and a thorough understanding of the test format. By following these tips and techniques, you can enhance your listening skills and achieve a high band score. In case you need any sort of guidance, feel free to interact with our IELTS experts or be a part of IELTS webinars. Stay focused, practice regularly, and approach the test with confidence.