The Listening test takes around 30 minutes. There are 40 questions. There are four sections. The Listening test is recorded on a CD and is played ONCE only.
Before you listen, try and predict what the answer will be. This will help you focus your mind as you read the questions before you hear the recording and enable you to make better guesses. ask yourself the following questions:
a) What is the subject of the answer? is it a name, a date, or a country?
b) What word fits grammatically? is it a noun, or verb?
c) What is the function of the answer? For example, is it a comparison, a list, an instruction, a label, or a question?
Before you listen, try and predict what the answer will be. This will help you focus your mind as you read the questions before you hear the recording and enable you to make better guesses. ask yourself the following questions:
a) What is the subject of the answer? is it a name, a date, or a country?
b) What word fits grammatically? is it a noun, or verb?
c) What is the function of the answer? For example, is it a comparison, a list, an instruction, a label, or a question?
"Exam Tip: The question will help you focus on the type of answer you need to give in terms of grammar and topic so make sure you underline the key words in the questions"
During the test, time is given for candidates to read the questions and write down and check their answers. Answers are written on the Question Paper as candidates listen. When the recording ends, 10 minutes are allowed for candidates to transfer their answers to an Answer Sheet.
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A range of English accents are used in the recordings, which reflects the international usage of IELTS.
"Exam Tip: It is very unusual for the words you read to be the words you hear on the recording. You should listen for different ways of expressing the same idea"
In the IELTS Listening exam, you may have to complete a form, this question type can often be found in section 1. In this section, the information is factual; for example, dates, places, and times. When you complete a form, it is important to spell the names of people and places correctly. Any words you are not expected to know will be spelled out, for example, Mr. Leifhrandt: L-E-I-F-H-R-A-N-D-T; Words you are expected to know will NOT be spelled out, example, 71 East Street.
The recording will usually refer to all answer options. They may all be paraphrased but the details will not match. The wrong answers are known as distractors.
The recording will usually refer to all answer options. They may all be paraphrased but the details will not match. The wrong answers are known as distractors.
"Exam Tip: Do Not always write down the first thing you hear. The recording often refers to a number of possible answers, but only one answers the question correctly"
It is important to answer questions using the correct format. Look carefully at the layout and the style used in the questions, for example: How are numbers expressed? in words, in figures, or as percentages?
"Exam Tip: If the instructions state that your answer should be one or two words, DO NOT write three words. If you write three words, you answer will be marked incorrect. Be accurate in your written answer, and make sure the words you use are words from the recording"
If the speaker begins to talk about the next topic but you have not answered the question on the previous topic, do not waste time trying to answer that question. Instead, focus on the topic being talked about. The questions always follow the order of the information in the recording.
Source: Listening for IELTS by Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson
Collins English for Exams
"Exam Tip: At the end of the IELTS Listening exam, you have ten minutes to transfer your answers from the exam booklet to the answer sheet. Make sure you do this carefully: do not write the answer in the wrong spaces or you will lose marks. Only the answer on the answer sheet are marked"
Source: Listening for IELTS by Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson
Collins English for Exams
