Listening

How many sections does the IELTS Listening test contain?

• ATwo
• BThree
• CFour✓
• DFive

Answer: The IELTS Listening test has four sections, progressing from easier (Section 1, everyday social context) to more challenging (Section 4, academic monologue).

In Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test, what type of conversation typically occurs?

• AA university lecture on a scientific topic
• BA discussion between two students about a research project
• CA conversation between two people in a social or service-based context✓
• DA monologue about a historical event

Answer: Section 1 features a conversation between two speakers in an everyday social or service context, such as booking accommodation or registering for a course.

During the IELTS Listening test, when are candidates given time to read the questions?

• AOnly after the recording has finished
• BBefore each section begins, and they can also read ahead during the recording✓
• CThere is no preview time allowed
• DOnly at the very start of the test before Section 1

Answer: Candidates are given time to preview questions before each section starts, and they can read ahead within a section during the recording. This is a key test strategy.

A speaker says: 'The conference will be held on the fourteenth of March, not the fourth as previously announced.' A student writes '4th March'. This answer is:

• ACorrect
• BIncorrect — the date is 14th March✓
• CPartially correct
• DAcceptable because both dates were mentioned

Answer: The speaker explicitly corrects the date from the 4th to the 14th of March. Students must listen for corrections and update their answers accordingly.

In IELTS Listening, if a speaker spells out a name — 'That's P-A-T-E-L' — and you write 'Patel', is your answer correct?

• ANo, you must write the letters separately
• BYes, you should write the full word as spelled✓
• COnly if you heard every letter clearly
• DNo, you should write 'PATEL' in capitals

Answer: When a speaker spells a word, candidates should write the complete word formed by those letters. Both 'Patel' and 'PATEL' are generally accepted, but the full word is expected.

What is a key strategy for handling map or plan labelling questions in the IELTS Listening test?

• AMemorise cardinal directions before the test
• BIdentify key reference points on the map before listening and track the speaker's directions✓
• CDraw your own map while listening
• DFocus only on place names and ignore directional language

Answer: Before listening, candidates should study the map and identify fixed reference points. During listening, they track directional language (left, opposite, next to) to locate the correct labels.

In Section 4 of the IELTS Listening test, which type of text is used?

• AA dialogue between a student and a librarian
• BA radio interview with two speakers
• CAn academic monologue such as a university lecture✓
• DA telephone conversation about a service complaint

Answer: Section 4 is the most challenging and features an academic monologue — typically a university lecture or formal talk on an academic subject — delivered by a single speaker.

A candidate hears: 'The annual membership fee is seventy-five pounds, but if you pay before the end of the month you get a ten percent discount.' What is the discounted fee?

• A£65.00
• B£67.50✓
• C£70.00
• D£72.50

Answer: Ten percent of £75 is £7.50. Subtracting this from £75 gives a discounted fee of £67.50. Candidates must perform simple calculations using information from the recording.

Which of the following is NOT one of the question types used in the IELTS Listening test?

• AMultiple choice
• BTable completion
• CMatching headings✓
• DSentence completion

Answer: Matching headings is a Reading question type, not a Listening question type. IELTS Listening uses multiple choice, form/note/table/summary completion, matching, and labelling plans or maps.

A speaker says: 'You can reach us by email — that's info, at — spelled out — A-R-T-S-C-E-N-T-R-E, dot org.' What should the candidate write?

• Ainfo@artscentre.org✓
• Binfo at artscentre dot org
• CA-R-T-S-C-E-N-T-R-E
• Dartscentre@info.org

Answer: The speaker is providing an email address. Candidates should reconstruct the standard email format: info@artscentre.org. Spelling prompts indicate individual characters of a word.

During a listening passage, a speaker changes their mind: 'We thought the session would start at 9am, but actually it will now begin at half past eight.' A student who wrote '9am' initially should:

• AKeep 9am as that was stated first
• BCross out 9am and write 8:30am, as the speaker made a correction✓
• CWrite both times and let the examiner decide
• DLeave the answer blank as the information is contradictory

Answer: When a speaker makes a correction, the corrected information is the answer. Candidates must listen for phrases like 'actually', 'but' and 'now' that signal a change.

In IELTS Listening, what does 'parallel listening' mean as a test strategy?

• AListening to two recordings simultaneously
• BReading questions while simultaneously listening to the recording✓
• CListening again to the recording after completing questions
• DWorking with a partner to check answers

Answer: Parallel listening (also called active listening) means reading ahead in the question booklet while listening, so candidates can track where the speaker is and be ready for the upcoming answer.