IELTS Listening: Practice Test, Question Types, Tips, and Books
- IELTS Coaching Chandigarh
- IELTS Coaching in Kerala
- IELTS Coaching in Chennai
- IELTS Coaching Hyderabad
- IELTS Coaching Bangalore
- IELTS Coaching in Kolkata
- IELTS Coaching Ahmedabad
- IELTS Institute Amritsar
- IELTS Coaching In Delhi
- IELTS Classes in Pune
- IELTS Coaching in Mumbai
- IELTS Coaching Ernakulam
- IELTS Coaching Gurgaon
Content Curator | Updated On - Mar 18, 2024
IELTS listening comprises 4 sections. The IELTS academic and general training have the same listening format. The time duration is 30 minutes with 10 questions for each section. The first two recordings comprises with situations that candidates might experience in everyday. The last two recordings, deals with situations that might occur in an education/training context. To get 8.5 in IELTS listening, candidates must answer 36 out of 40 questions correctly. To practice the listening test, candidates must get familiar with the question and answer in sequential order.
The Part 1 and Part 2 of IELTS Listening comes from social and everyday life. You will hear two audio clips which will be played only once. The first topic in IELTS academic will be a conversation between two speakers and one monologue. The Part 3 and Part 4 of IELTS Listening also contains two audio clips like the previous parts. The only difference is that the second part has topics related to education and training situations.
In the above line graph, a clear comparison between IELTS listening score for academic and general can be seen for 5 different countries. While Vietnam exhibits a notable disparity between Academic and General scores, Brazil showcases a balanced performance. Bangladesh and Egypt demonstrate a minor difference, with Egypt scoring higher in the General module. India displays a moderate range in IELTS Listening scores, with a slightly higher performance in the Academic module (6.7) compared to the General module (6.6) suggesting a relatively consistent proficiency across listening tasks.
- IELTS Listening Format
- IELTS Listening Practice Test
- IELTS Listening Question Types
3.1 Multiple Choice Questions
3.2 Matching Questions
3.3 Plan Map Diagram Labelling
3.4 Form Note Table Flow Chart Summary Completion
3.5 Sentence completion
3.6 Short Answer Questions - IELTS Listening Scoring
- IELTS Listening Tips
5.1 IELTS Listening Books - FAQs
IELTS Listening Format
The listening format for IELTS comprises 4 recordings. Candidates need to answer 40 questions in response to the 4 recordings. The question pattern is the same for academic and general. Candidates will listen to recording 1 and 3 that comprises a conversation between two or more speakers. For recordings 2 and 4 includes a monologue. To write in listening in IELTS, candidates must remember that the recordings are to play only once, so listening carefully before answering. The 4 sections are explained below.
| Section 1 | A Conversation between two people in an everyday situation.(e.g. a conversation to book a room in a hotel) |
| Section 2 | Only one person speaks about a general everyday topic.(e.g. a talk on using time effectively) |
| Section 3 | Two or three people have a conversation about a topic related to education and training.(e.g. students discussing an assignment) |
| Section 4 | Only one person gives an academic lecture.(e.g. a university lecture) |
IELTS Listening Practice Test
For IELTS listening practice, candidates can take full length mock tests and opt for free IELTS Listening Practice test. These IELTS practice test cover previous year questions and cover overall IELTS format for listening section. Aspirants can attain questions from Cambridge IELTS exam listening practice papers to strengthen their skills. The table shows below highlights the IELTS Listening Practice Test Paper samples for more guidance:
IELTS Listening Question Types
IELTS listening questions are of 6 types for academic and IELTS General Training. The questions types in this test include multiple choice, matching,plan/map/diagram/ labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary and sentence completion. Each question in the IELTS listening test carries 1 mark each.
IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions
In Multiple choice questions of IELTS listening, candidates can answer with one correct answer, or more than one correct answer. In a multiple choice question choose one correct answer (A, B or C) type, it will be given:
- a question followed by three possible answers
- the beginning of a sentence followed by three possible ways to complete the sentence.
For a multiple choice question, that require to choose more than one correct answer, candidates will be given a longer list of possible answers and candidates will have to choose more than one answer.
Sample
IELTS Listening Matching Questions
For matching questions in IELTS listening, candidates are required to match a numbered list of items from what they hear in the audio to a set of options on the question paper. Matching listening IELTS evaluates the skill of listening for detail. You must complete your IELTS preparation before taking the test to be sucessful.
Sample
IELTS Listening Plan Map Diagram Labelling
You can check the IELTS listening tips to improve your IELTS scores. For Plan, map, diagram labelling questions in IELTS listening, candidates will need to:
- complete labels on a plan (e.g. of a building),
- map (e.g. of part of a town)
- diagram (e.g. of a piece of equipment).
Candidates can select their answers from a list on the question paper. For plan map diagram labelling IELTS tasks examines a candidate's ability to understand a description of a place, and visual representation.
Sample
IELTS Listening Form Note Table Flow Chart Summary Completion
In form note table flow chart summary completion task of IELTS listening section, candidates are required to fill the gaps in an outline of a paragraph. This section can help to improve your IELTS band scores. The outline section focus on the facts or main ideas given in the texts. Candidates need to fill the blanks from a list presented in the question paper or from the recording.
Questions may include:
| Question Type | Description |
| Form | used to record factual details such as names, addresses, telephone numbers |
| Notes | used to summarize information, using the layout to show how different items relate to one another |
| Table | used to summarize information which relates to clear categories – e.g. place/time/price |
| Flow-chart | used to summarize a process which has clear stages, with the direction of the process shown by arrows. |
Sample
IELTS Listening Sentence completion
In summary completion IELTS listening task, candidates are required to read a set of sentences summarizing key information. To answer these questions, candidates need to listen to all the audio text or from one part of it. The better the IELTS Cutoff, the better are your chances of getting admitted to your dream college. These questions have a word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER’.
Sample
IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions
For short answer questions IELTS listening, candidates are required to read a question and then write a short answer using the listening text. You can also refer IELTS Study plan fo improve your IELTS score. Students are sometimes given a question and ask them to list two or three points. Short answer IELTS listening examines on the ability to listen for concrete facts.
Sample
IELTS Listening Scoring
Scoring in IELTS Listening is done on the basis of correct answer. For each correct answer is scored 1 mark. Candidate’s IELTS scores are calculated out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. 27 out of 40 in IELTS listening shows that candidate has got 6.5 band scores. The table below gives a detailed breakdown of the band for IELTS listening:
| Correct answers | IELTS Listening Band score |
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4 |
IELTS Listening Tips
Listening in IELTS can be improved by practicing various accent audio questions. Candidates must adapt various IELTS Listening tips to ensure scoring good bands in IELTS listening test. To sharpen listening skills candidates should improve their vocabulary, and familiarize themselves with the difficulty level of the questions. IELTS Preparation apps like IELTS Prep App, English Radio IELTS/TOEFL are helpful.
Check the IELTS listening tips listed below:
- Practice with different accents audio clips
- Prepare for all 6 type of IELTS listening question
- Improve Vocabulary to understand difficult words
- Practice from full length IELTS listening mock tests
- Differentiate between essential and non-essential details
- Use abbreviations and short sentences for understanding
- Concentrate on listening and answering the questions
IELTS Listening Books
Best book for listening section includes Comprehensive IELTS Listening Band 8 Preparation Course, Improve Your IELTS Listening & Speaking Skills, and more. Candidates can strengthen their listening skills by practicing questions from various IELTS listening books. Certain popular IELTS preparation books are as follows:
- 15 Days’ Practice For IELTS Listening (Book + CD)- Check PDF
- Official IELTS Practice Materials- Check PDF
- Barron's IELTS Superpack- Check PDF
- Improve Your Skills: Listening & Speaking for IELTS 6.0 – 7.5- Check PDF
- IELTS Recent Actual Tests For Preparation: Volume 3- Check PDF
- Improve Your IELTS Listening & Speaking Skills- Check PDF
IELTS listening can be aced with podcasts. These help candidates achieve good IELTS Listening Academic score. Aspirants can follow the listening band score list to get an idea of the IELTS scoring in detail. Candidates must focus on improving their listening skills by listening to TV shows, BBC news and many more to improve their accents.
FAQs
Ques. How can I get 8.5 in IELTS listening?
Ans. To get 8.5 in IELTS listening, candidates must answer 36 out of 40 questions correctly. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The total IELTS score will be converted to bandwidth on a score of 4 to 9.
Ques. How can I practice listening test?
Ans. To practice listening test in IELTS candidates can listen to podcasts. Practice with different accents audio clips. Prepare for all 6 type of IELTS listening question. Further full length mock can be helpful to identify the weakness and strength.
Ques. Which is the best site for IELTS listening practice?
Ans. The best site for IELTS listening practice are IELTS Buddy, IELTS Mentor, IELTS Test Preparation Course (Magoosh), Free IELTS Online Course (British Council). Candidates can practice IELTS practice questions from various preparation apps like - IELTS Prep App, English Radio IELTS/TOEFL.
Ques. How can I prepare for IELTS listening section?
Ans. To prepare for IELTS listening section, candidates should get their hands on ebooks, practice papers and mock tests. To sharpen listening skills candidates should improve their vocabulary, and familiarize themselves with the difficulty level of the questions.
Ques. How can I get 7.5 in IELTS listening?
Ans. To get 7.5 in IELTS Listening, candidates should aim to answer 32 questions correctly. For 7.0 IELTS listening score, candidates should correctly answer 30 questions. It is also to be kept in mind that the spelling of the answers should be correct and provided word-limit must not be crossed.
Ques. Which is the most difficult section in IELTS listening?
Ans. The most difficult section in IELTS listening is Part 4(a university lecture). The vocabulary used in the lecture is a little difficult for candidates to understand. Additionally, Part 4 is based on academic, so it has various range of topics.
Ques. How can I score 9 in IELTS listening?
Ans. To score 9 in IELTS listening, candidates practice as many audios as possible. To practice the listening test, candidates must get familiar with the question and answer in sequential order.
Ques. Why is listening difficult in IELTS?
Ans. IELTS Listening is difficult for candidates appearing for the first time. With proper practice and numerous practice candidates can score good in the listening test. The vocabulary used in the lecture is a little difficult for candidates to understand. Additionally, Part 4 is based on academic, so it has various range of topics.
Ques. Is spelling important in IELTS listening?
Ans. Yes, spelling is important in IELTS Listening section. Spelling mistakes on the IELTS Listening are marked as wrong and make it harder to get the target band score.
Ques. What are the common errors of listening?
Ans. The common errors of listening in IELTS are calling the speaker uninteresting or boring, criticizing the speaker's delivery. Getting worked-up with disagreements with the speaker's message.
Ques. What is the format of the IELTS Listening test?
Ans. The IELTS Listening test consists of four sections, each with ten questions in each section. You will listen to recordings of native English speakers and answer multiple-choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, or form completion questions.
Ques. How long does the IELTS Listening test last?
Ans. The IELTS Listening test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, including 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. You must complete the whole section within 30 minutes of time.
Ques. Can I take notes during the Listening test?
Ans. Yes, you are provided with a question booklet and an answer sheet. You can take notes and jot down important information as you listen to the recordings. This is important since the recording will be played only once.
Ques. Do I need to understand every word in the recordings to answer the questions?
Ans. No, you don't need to understand every word in the recording. You must focus on the main ideas, keywords, and context to answer the questions effectively. You can also jot down the points that seems important.
Ques. What types of recordings will I hear in the Listening test?
Ans. You will listen to a range of recordings, such as conversations between people, monologues, and academic or training lectures. The accent of the recordings depends as a variety of accents might be played.
Ques. Can I listen to the recordings more than once?
Ans. No, you will only listen to each recording once. The audio is not played twice. hence, you must pay close attention and try to answer the questions as you listen.
Ques. Are the recordings played in British English or American English?
Ans. The recordings may feature a variety of accents, including British, American, Australian, and others commonly found in English-speaking countries. You might get any accent audio clips while taking the IELTS Listening test.
Ques. Is there a break between the sections of the Listening test?
Ans. No, there are no breaks between sections. The test is conducted continuously for 30 minutes and then you get 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the sheet.
Ques. Can I use a pen or pencil to write my answers?
Ans. You must use a pencil to write your answers on the answer sheet provided. Pens are not allowed. This is because if you feel any answer is incorrect, then you can correct it after erasing.
Ques. How are the answers scored in the Listening test?
Ans. Each correct answer in IELTS Listening test earns one mark. There is no negative marking, so it's beneficial to attempt every question. You must not leave any question unanswered.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.