IELTS Listening Test
LISTENING
Test Format:
The listening test is the same for the Academic and General Training tests. It 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:
Listening Test 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.). You will need to complete a form, table or note with missing information.
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Pay attention to the instructions. They will tell you how many words you can use and if a number is possible.
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Below you can find links to IELTS PART 1 style listening questions:
Part 1 Questions - Holiday camp booking
Part 1 Questions - Call to Excel driving school
Part 1 Questions - Call to rafting agency
​Listening Test 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 and giving information about a place, a tour, an activity, or an event.
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There are three common question types in part 2: Multiple choice, matching, and map labelling.
Multiple choice: You will need to choose the correct answer from three options, A - C.
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.
Matching: You will need to match information from the listening test audio to a list of options.
Choose THREE answers and write the correct letter, A - D, next to Questions 16 - 18.
Information
A involves the parents
B is no longer available
C uses improved facilities
D is safe for the children
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Nursery School Activities
16 arts and crafts
17 language development
18 drama
Map Labelling: You will need to label buildings or other sites on a map using information you hear.
​Below you can find links to IELTS PART 2 style listening questions:
Part 2 Questions - Hamilton Park sport facilities
Part 2 Questions - Nursery school open morning
Listening Test 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, report or project, or for example, a discussion between a tutor and student.
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Common question types in part 3 are: As well as multiple choice and matching questions (see previous examples), it's common to see multiple select questions.
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Multiple select: You need to choose two answers from a list of options, A - E.
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.
​Below you can find links to IELTS PART 3 style listening questions:
Part 3 Questions - Discussing presentation
Part 3 Questions - Discussing presentation
Part 3 Questions - Discussing report
Listening Test 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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In part 4, you will have to complete notes, sometimes including a table, with information you hear in the speech or presentation.
​Below you can find links to IELTS PART 4 style listening questions:
Part 4 Questions - The history of rambling in the UK
Part 4 Questions - Research into first impressions
Part 4 Questions - Speech on microfinance in Africa
Part 4 Questions - Droughts in the USA
​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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Answer sheets:
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.