Listening Test Question Types:
​1. Multiple Choice
In this exercise, you will listen to a recording and answer multiple-choice questions. You need to select the correct option from a set of choices provided.
Example:
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.
What is noticeable as you enter the school?
A The colour of the walls.
B The drawings and paintings.
C The welcoming atmosphere.
2. Multiple Select
In this exercise, you will listen to a recording and choose 2 answers. You need to select the correct option from a set of choices provided.
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Example:
Choose TWO letters A - E.
What are two things that Sam thinks other student’s will find interesting about the kitchen environment?
A The different job positions in the kitchen.
B The importance of the executive chef in the kitchen.
C How the kitchen staff handle many customer’s orders.
D The wide variety of food that can be quickly produced.
E The lines of equipment in the kitchen.
3. Matching
This exercise involves matching information from the recording to a list of options. You may have to match headings to paragraphs, features to descriptions, or statements to speakers.
Example:
Choose SIX answers and write the correct letter, A - H, next to Questions 5 - 10.
Information
A involves the parents
B is no longer available
C uses improved facilities
D is safe for the children
E isn’t possible in winter
F may require special clothing
G involves music
H can involve reading
Activities
5 arts and crafts
6 language development
7 drama
8 rest
9 garden activities
10 free play
​​4. Plan, Map, or Diagram Labelling
You will be given a plan, map, or diagram, and you need to label specific locations, directions, or features based on the information provided in the recording.
Example:​
Complete the diagram below.
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Write ONE WORD AND/ OR A NUMBER for each answer.
5. Form Completion
In this exercise, you will listen to a conversation or a monologue where a form is being completed. You will need to fill in the missing information on the form, such as names, addresses, dates, or other relevant details.
Example:​
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
6. Note Completion
You will listen to a recording where a speaker provides information, and you need to complete a set of notes or sentences based on what you hear.
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Example:
​ Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
7. Sentence Completion
This exercise requires you to complete a sentence or a set of sentences using the information you hear in the recording.
Example:
Complete the sentence based on the recording.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
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The new café offers a wide range of ______________.
​8. Summary, Flowchart, or Table Completion
You will listen to a recording where information is presented in a summary, flowchart, or table format. Your task is to complete the missing information based on what you hear.
Example:
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
These are the main types of exercises you may see in the IELTS listening test. It is essential to familiarise yourself with the format of the test and each exercise type before the test. Practise them regularly so that you can improve your listening skills and effectively answer the questions within the given time limit on test day. For more practice of IELTS listening test style questions go here.
IELTS Listening Test
LISTENING
General Information
The Four Parts of the Test:
The listening test consists of four parts. Each part has a different audio recording. The type of speech you hear depends on the part. The level of difficulty generally increases as you go from part 1 to part 4.
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Let’s look at the four parts in more detail:
Part 1:
In this part, you will always hear a conversation between two people. Usually, one person will be making a booking (at a restaurant, travel agents etc.) or requesting information (about a course, activity, club membership etc.).
Common Question Types:
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Form/ Table/ Note completion: You will need to fill in gaps in a form, table or in notes that you are given. The missing information could be names, dates, addresses, telephone numbers or other facts. The missing information will come in the same order in the audio as it is given in the notes or table. To practice a part 1 style note completion listening task go here.
Part 2:
Part 2 is usually a little harder than part 1. In this part you will hear one, or maximum two people speaking on their own (not to each other).
The person could speak about many different things, but usually he/ she will be explaining something, such as a tour, an activity, or an event. Usually, they will give you information about what is involved, or what happens, during the tour, event, activity etc.
Common Question Types:
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Multiple choice: You will need to choose the correct answer from three options, A - C. To practice a part 2 style multiple choice task go here (Questions 1 - 4).
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Matching: You will need to match information from the audio to a list of options. To practice a part 2 style matching exercise go here (Questions 5 - 10).
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Map Labelling: You will need to label buildings or other sites on a map. To practice a part 2 style map labelling exercise go here (Questions 5 - 10).
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Part 3:
In part 3 you will usually hear two people discussing something, often related to university studies in some way. It could be two students discussing a presentation or project, or for example, a discussion between a tutor and student.
Common Question Types:
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Multiple select: You may have a multiple select question where you need to choose two answers from a list of options, A - E. To practise a part 3 style multiple select question go here (Questions 1&2 and 3&4).
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Multiple choice: You may have a standard multiple choice (choose from A - C). To practise a part 3 style multiple choice question go here (Questions 5 - 10).
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Matching exercise: You will need to match information from the audio to a list of options. To practise a part 3 style matching exercise go here (Questions 1 - 6).
Part 4:
Part 4 is usually the most difficult part of the listening test. You will hear part of a speech or presentation. The speech could be about a wide range of topics, and will use a more academic, formal style of language.
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Common Question Types:
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Note/ Table completion: In part 4, you will have to complete notes, sometimes including a table, with information you hear in the speech or presentation. To practise a part 4 style note completion exercise go here (Questions 1 - 10).
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Time:
For parts 1, 2, and 3 you will have approximately 25 seconds at the beginning of the recording to read the first set of questions (listen carefully to which questions they ask you to read), and another 25 - 30 seconds in the middle of the recording to read the remaining questions. You will have 30 seconds at the end of the recording to check your answers.
For part 4, you will have approximately 50 seconds to read all 10 questions before the recording starts. There is no break in the middle to read questions. At the end of the recording you will have 1 minute to check your answers.
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The total duration of the IELTS listening test is approximately 30 minutes, which includes the time allocated for listening to the recordings for the four parts, and answering the questions. You are given between 30 seconds and 1 minute at the end of each part to review your answers. Sometimes you are given a short pause in the middle of a part in order to read the next set of questions. Listen carefully to the instructions before each recording is played. They will tell you which questions you must answer before any pause. In the case of the written test, you will also have an additional 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. N.B. this is for the written test only - you only have 2 minutes to check your answers at the end of the computerised test.
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Audio Recordings:
The audio recordings are played only once. Therefore, it is crucial to listen attentively and take notes while you listen. You should practice listening exercises regularly so that you are prepared for the test.
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Number of Questions:
The total number of questions in the IELTS listening test is 40. Each part contains 10 questions.
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Answering:
You will be provided with an answer sheet to write your answers (written test only). It is crucial to transfer your answers accurately from the question paper to the answer sheet within the given time frame (10 minutes). For the computerised test you will need to enter your answers directly onto the computer (you have only 2 minutes to check answers at the end). Good typing skills are therefore important if you take the computer based test.