IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening Test is a crucial part of the IELTS exam, designed to assess how well candidates can understand spoken English in various real-life scenarios. The test has 4 parts, each with 10 questions, covering a range of topics from everyday conversations to academic discussions. The questions vary from MCQs, form completion, and matching to summary completion and map labeling. Each section progressively becomes more challenging, testing a candidate’s ability to follow ideas, understand facts, and recognize speaker attitudes and relationships.

The entire test takes 30 minutes, with an extra 10 minutes for answer transfer in the paper-based version. Scoring is straightforward: each correct answer gives 1 mark, and the total score out of 40 is converted into an IELTS band score (0-9). Regular IELTS listening practice tests help candidates familiarize themselves with the format and question types, building both skill and confidence.

This guide will explore each section of the IELTS Listening Test, its scoring system, and effective strategies for improving performance.

Overview of the 4 Parts of the IELTS Listening Test

Here is a quick overview of the 4 parts of the IELTS Listening test:

Taking a slightly deeper look at each section, here is how they fare out:

• Part 1 – Social Conversations

1. This part involves a dialogue between two speakers (e.g., discussing travel arrangements or bookings).
2. Typically includes form or note completion tasks, where answers are factual and straightforward.
3. To ace this section, focus on listening for details like names, dates, and numbers.

• Part 2 – Monologue on Daily Topics

1. This section presents a single speaker discussing everyday topics (e.g., giving directions or describing local services).
2. Tasks such as map labeling or matching are common.
3. Pay attention to directions or descriptive words to follow the speaker effectively.

• Part 3 – Educational Discussions

1. In this part, there is a conversation between 2-3 speakers, often discussing academic topics (e.g., a student and tutor discussing coursework).
2. Questions in this section include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and matching tasks.
3. Be mindful of the shift in speakers and how opinions or information are conveyed.

• Part 4 – Academic Presentation

1. This section contains a monologue on an academic subject (e.g., a lecture on history or science).
2. Features summary completion and short-answer questions.
3. Focus on understanding the main points and details. This section is often regarded as the most challenging due to its complexity and academic nature.

Many candidates find Part 4 the most difficult due to its academic nature and length. It requires sustained attention and understanding of complex topics, and the speaker usually provides fewer cues or repetitions compared to earlier parts.

Before we explore the different parts of the IELTS Listening test, here are the types of questions that are asked across them.

Multiple Choice

Multiple-choice questions may require selecting one correct answer or multiple correct answers. It is essential to read the instructions carefully to determine the expected number of answers.

• Single-answer questions present a query with three possible options (A, B, or C). These might also offer the start of a sentence followed by three different ways to complete it.
• Multiple-answer questions provide a longer list of choices and specify how many selections are required.

Multiple-choice questions assess a range of listening skills, including the ability to comprehend specific details or grasp the overall idea of the listening text​.

Matching

Matching questions requires connecting a list of items from the audio to the appropriate options on the answer sheet, which may represent criteria or categories.

• This task evaluates your ability to listen for details and comprehend information exchanged during a conversation (e.g., different types of hotel accommodations).
• It also tests your ability to recognize relationships and connections between facts as expressed by the speakers​ during the recording. This way, your ability to follow a conversation properly is also gauged.

Plan, Map, and Diagram Labeling

In these tasks, candidates must complete labels on a plan, map, or diagram by listening to spoken descriptions.

• Typically, answers can be selected from a provided list on the question paper.
• Fill in the outline based on the listening text, selecting the missing words from a provided list or directly from the recording.
• Complete the outline by filling in the gaps with missing words that capture the main ideas or facts presented in the listening text. The outline may take various forms, such as a form, notes, table, or flowchart, each designed to organize specific types of information (e.g., names, times, processes).
• Select the missing words from either a provided list or by identifying them directly from the recording, and ensure you strictly follow the specified word limit in the instructions. Exceeding this limit, even by one word, will result in an incorrect answer.
• Pay attention to the word count rules, as hyphenated words count as one, and contractions (like “don’t”) are not assessed. Carefully fill in the gaps to capture only the essential information a listener would naturally record.
• Follow the specified word limit in the instructions carefully, as exceeding it will result in incorrect answers.
• Ensure accuracy by paying attention to the word count rules, including counting hyphenated words as one and avoiding contracted forms.
• This task evaluates your ability to follow directions or descriptions (e.g., “turn left,” “straight ahead”) and match them to a visual representation of a location or object.

Form, Note, Table, Flowchart, and Summary Completion

These tasks involve filling in missing information in an outline of the listening text. Each format serves a different purpose:

• Form: Records specific details (e.g., names, dates, phone numbers).
• Notes: Summarizes information and illustrates relationships between points.
• Table: Organizes data under specific categories (e.g., time, place, price).
• Flowchart: Describes a process or sequence of events with directional cues.

You may need to either:

1. Select answers from a provided list: Choose the correct option from the list on the question paper, then record the corresponding letter on the answer sheet.
2. Extract words from the recording: Identify words directly from the audio to fit gaps on the question paper, strictly following the specified word limit (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”). Use the exact words from the recording without any changes.

Adhering to the word limit is essential, as exceeding it will result in an incorrect answer.

Sentence Completion

In sentence completion tasks, candidates must fill in gaps within sentences that summarize key information from the listening text. These questions may focus on the entire audio or a specific section.

• Pay attention to the word limit, as going beyond the stated limit (e.g., “NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER”) will invalidate your answer.
• These questions assess your ability to extract key points from the listening text and understand logical relationships like cause and effect.

Short-Answer Questions

Short-answer questions require candidates to provide brief responses based on the listening text. Some questions may ask for multiple answers, such as listing two or three points.

• These questions also come with a word limit (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”). Using more than the allowed limit will result in a wrong answer.
• This task evaluates the candidate’s ability to listen for specific facts, such as places, times, or prices​

IELTS Listening Test Part 1

Key Features and Techniques

• Context: Two people engaged in conversation casually or talking in the context of their business relationship (for instance, when arranging for a hotel and other accommodations).
• Focus: Playing for cues and speaking more deliberately, to help listeners to provide specific information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates.
• Audio Cues: The questions reflect the flow of the conversation so one learns what to expect as they continue following the conversation.
• Accents: The audio may contain conversations in British, Australian, and North American accents​.
• Only One Playthrough: Candidates can listen to the audio only once, so they must focus more and take more notes.

Techniques for Success:

• Carefully understand questions to know what details to concentrate on.
• Pay particular attention to other ways the speakers are saying the same thing.
• It is advisable to jot down numbers and dates on the spot so you do not forget important numbers.
• By going through IELTS listening practice tests, you can familiarize yourself with similar kinds of conversations.

Question Types and Example Topics

Skills Tested

This part checks if the candidate can:

Tips to Handle Part 1

• Focus on familiarizing yourself with form filling and note completion, which frequently appear in this section​
• Watch out for distractors. Sometimes, the speakers may change their minds or correct themselves during the dialogue. Pay close attention to these moments.
• Use the question preview time effectively to predict what kind of answers might be needed.
• Engage with IELTS Listening practice tests or similar everyday dialogues to sharpen your comprehension skills​

Part 1 sets the tone for the entire listening test, so mastering it through focused preparation will build confidence for the more challenging parts that follow.

IELTS Listening Test Part 2

Key Features and Techniques

• Context: A single speaker delivering information related to daily life situations (e.g., descriptions of public services, events, or places).
• Focus: Listening for facts and main ideas, especially details such as times, places, and features.
• Question Sequence: Questions appear in the order of the conversation, helping candidates track the audio more easily.

Techniques for Success:

• Pay attention to lists or sequences that provide multiple points.
• Use predictive listening to identify what type of answers will be needed (e.g., times, dates).
• Practice with IELTS listening practice tests that feature similar monologues.

Question Types and Example Topics

Skills Tested

This part checks if the candidate can:

Tips to Handle Part 2

• Practice with maps and visual cues. Familiarize yourself with map labeling tasks, as they often appear in this section.
• Make logic your friend. Speakers may describe things in a structured way (e.g., “first, next, finally”), so listening to such patterns helps.
• The speaker may provide incorrect information initially and then correct it—pay attention to such shifts​.

IELTS Listening Test Part 3

Key Features and Techniques

• Context: A conversation on topics related to education or training (e.g., group discussions, student-tutor dialogues).
• Focus: Listening for opinions, arguments, and agreements.

Techniques for Success:

• Recognize shifts in speaker opinions and attitudes.
• Listen carefully for agreement or disagreement between speakers.
• Use predictive listening to anticipate when the discussion might introduce new viewpoints.

Question Types and Example Topics

Skills Tested

This part checks if the candidate can:

Tips to Handle Part 3

• Familiarize yourself with MCQs and matching tasks. Practice these tasks through IELTS listening practice tests to build confidence.
• Keep track of who is speaking to avoid confusion.
• Recognize academic phrases and terminologies used by the speakers​.

IELTS Listening Test Part 4

Key Features and Techniques

• Context: A lecture or talk on an academic topic (e.g., scientific research, historical events).
• Focus: Understanding complex ideas and specific terminology.

Techniques for Success:

• Practice note-taking to capture key points quickly.
• Familiarize yourself with academic lectures to build comprehension skills.
• Focus on the overall theme as well as specific facts.

Question Types and Example Topics

Skills Tested

Tips to Handle Part 4

• Familiarize yourself with summary completion tasks as they frequently appear in Part 4.
• Understand how speakers organize academic topics logically (introduction, body, conclusion).
• Pay attention to terminology and numbers, as these often form the answers to questions​

These structured insights into each part of the IELTS Listening Test provide candidates with clear strategies and expectations. Practicing with IELTS listening practice tests will help enhance listening comprehension and performance under exam conditions.

Sample Questions Asked in All Parts of the IELTS Listening Test

Below are sample questions for each part of the IELTS Listening Test, designed to help candidates familiarize themselves with the test format and develop strategies for answering effectively.

Part 1 – Everyday Conversations

This section features a dialogue between two speakers set in an everyday social context. It tests the candidate’s ability to catch specific details like times, places, and numbers.

Sample Questions:

• Note Completion: Complete the notes using no more than two words or a number.

1. Example: What time does the express train leave?
2. Answer: 10:30 AM

• Form Completion: Fill in missing details in a travel or booking form.

1. Example: Passenger’s destination: __________
2. Answer: Harbour City

Part 2 – Monologue on Daily Topics

This part involves a single speaker, typically giving information about an event or public service. Candidates often encounter tasks such as matching or map labeling.

Sample Questions:

• Map Labeling: Identify locations based on the speaker’s description.

1. Example: What facility is located opposite the library?

• Matching: Match services to times or features.

1. Example: Match the opening hours to different tourist attractions.

Part 3 – Academic Discussions

This section includes conversations among 2-3 speakers, such as students discussing coursework with a tutor. It tests candidates’ ability to follow arguments and recognize opinions.

Sample Questions:

• Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs): Select the correct answer from given options.

1. Example: What is the student’s main concern about the assignment?

• Matching: Link student opinions with the relevant argument points.

1. Example: Match each student’s opinion with the corresponding topic.

Part 4 – Academic Lecture

The final section presents a monologue on an academic topic, such as a university lecture. This part requires candidates to grasp complex information and answer summary completion and short-answer questions.

Sample Questions:

• Summary Completion: Complete the summary with words from the recording.

1. Example: The researcher explained that the main cause of extinction was __________.

• Short-Answer Questions: Provide brief answers to factual questions.

1. Example: What year did the study conclude?

Scoring System of IELTS Listening Test

The IELTS Listening Test evaluates candidates on their ability to comprehend spoken English across various real-life scenarios. It consists of 40 questions, and each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. The raw scores (total correct answers) are then converted into the IELTS 9-band scale. This scoring method ensures that each section’s difficulty is reflected accurately in the final band score.

Key Points about the Scoring System

• Each correct answer: Worth 1 point.
• No negative marking: Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers.
• Conversion to band score: Total correct answers are mapped to the IELTS band scale (ranging from 0 to 9).
• Whole or half bands: Final scores can be rounded to the nearest half or full band (e.g., 7.5, 8.0).

Band Score Definition

Band Score Conversion for Listening

(Note: The score requirements may vary slightly between test versions)

Tips to Get a Good Band Score in the IELTS Listening Test

Being able to score well in the IELTS Listening Test does not only entail listening, but incorporating some general and effective strategies of listening and comprehension. Here are the three main areas that should be focused on, as well as some extra pieces of advice that can come in handy.

Focus on the 3 Key Components

• Comprehend

1. One should focus on content which includes the overall theme and other significant particulars presented during the audio.
2. More so, IELTS listening practice on identifying paraphrasing of information and synonyms in order since they commonly appear in the test.
3. Acquaint yourself with various attitudes (British, American, Australian) concerning the various modes of pronunciation.

• Retain

1. Develop your short-term memory by engaging in the act of note-taking from IELTS listening practice tests.
2. Use mental cues and keywords to certain useful facts throughout the conversation.Use the official IELTS listening practice tests and develop the habit of retaining information.

• Respond

1. Remain composed and concentrate on getting questions right regardless of whether you lose some dialogue cues.
2. The time that takes to transfer from one question to another should be utilized to look at the responses and check for completeness and accuracy.
3. Proofread for spelling and grammar errors during writing up answers in the answer book.

Additional Tips to Improve Your Band Score

• Become acquainted with the four sections of the listening test and use authentic test resources to know what kind of questions will be asked to you.
• Before each section begins, read the questions and try to establish in your mind what kind of answers are likely to be required.
• Each question should be kept as brief as possible to reduce errors, details such as, ‘No more than two words and/or a number should be adhered to religiously’.
• Engage with the audio by predicting what might occur next and recognize the tone and stress of the speakers.
• Listen to different sources of podcasts, news, and even watch TED Talks to work on that aspect of your knowledge.

By mastering these three components—Comprehend, Retain, and Respond, along with applying these additional strategies, candidates can significantly enhance their performance and improve their chances of securing a high band score in the IELTS Listening Test.

How to Calculate IELTS Listening Band Score

The IELTS 9-band scale provides a fair assessment, taking into account the difficulty of the test and ensuring comparability across test versions. Below is a detailed guide on how your IELTS Listening band score is calculated.

Key Elements in Band Score Calculation

1. Total Questions: 40
2. 1 mark per correct answer
3. Incorrect answers do not reduce your score.
4. The number of correct answers is mapped to the 9-band scale, with scores rounded to the nearest half-band (e.g., 7.5, 8.0).
5. The band score may vary slightly based on the specific version of the test taken to maintain comparability​.

IELTS Listening Band Score Conversion Table

(Note: This table may vary slightly across different test sessions, as IELTS ensures fairness across various versions.)

Example of Band Score Calculation

• Scenario: A candidate answers 30 questions correctly out of 40.
• Raw Score: 30
• Band Score: According to the conversion table, a raw score of 30 corresponds to 7.0 on the IELTS band scale.