IELTS Listening Exam Format and Question Type:

IELTS Listening test takes 30 minutes. You will get approximately 20 minutes to listen to the tape and
answer the questions, and 10 minutes allocated for you to transfer your answers from the question booklet
to the answer sheet.

All candidates taking the IELTS Test do the same type of Listening test, but the version differs
according to the test date.

IELTS Listening test consists of 4 sections, and you will hear the tape only once. No part of the
tape will be repeated. Generally, there are 40 questions in the listening module but this number can vary
from 38 to 42.

The listening test becomes more difficult as you progress through the test. Each section is more
difficult than the one before.

IELTS listening section 1 is based on social or real-life situations. For example, everyday events,
such as conversations about accommodation or shopping, or short talks giving practical information for
daily living, travel arrangements, visiting a new city, visiting a new university campus or making
arrangements to go out. This is usually a conversation between at least two speakers.

IELTS listening section 2 is also based on social or real-life situations where you might expect to
listen in the news broadcasts, weather forecasts, or a description of college facilities. This is usually one
person speaking.

IELTS listening section 3 and 4 are usually based on education and training situations. For
example, typical situations students face in their courses of study, discussions with tutors or
administrators, introductory, course lectures, a group of students planning a project, or a tutor and a
student discussing career options. This is often a conversation with up to four speakers.

Your answers need to be legible, i.e., they must be clear and readable. This applies to all the types
of answers you give: letters, numbers and phrases.
 You write your answers on the question paper as you do the Listening sub-test, and when it is
completed, you have 10 minutes to transfer them carefully onto the Answer Sheet. Make sure that each
answer is transferred accurately and is legible.
IELTS Listening Preparation Tips:

The voice on the cassette tape reads the instructions on the front of the question booklet. Read the
instructions as you listen to the tape to become accustomed to the speed and accent of the speech.

Ask the administrator of the IELTS examination to adjust the volume in a suitable level, if
necessary.

You should not open your booklet until you are told to do so.

You must answer the questions provided while you are listening. The questions mostly follow the
same sequence as the information contained in the Listening cassette.
Write your answers directly into the question booklet. Do not write at answer sheet at this time. You
are allocated 10 minutes to transfer your answers at the end of the exam.
Read the question and guess about the upcoming question. This will give you advantages to
answer the questions correctly.
Use Pencils to write down the answers as you might need to change the answer or correct a
spelling.
Pay special attention to the date, time & spelling of a person's name.
Become familiar with the instructions before you do the test.
Practice listening as much as possible before you do the test.
Listen carefully to the introduction to the test.

Listen carefully to any instructions on the cassette.

Write as much as you want in the question booklet.

Write notes and answers directly into the question booklet as you
When you go to university you will have to interact with many different people in a number of situations.
The IELTS Listening test is designed to reflect some of these real-world listening situations. The level of
difficulty increases through the paper and there is a range of topics and tasks which test your
comprehension skills, e.g. listening for specific information, such as dates and place names, listening for
detail, understanding gist and understanding speaker attitude/opinion. As you work your way through the
Listening units of this website, you will be introduced to a wide range of IELTS question types and
additional exercises to help improve your overall listening strategies.

Listening Test Format

Section 1: A conversation between two speakers in a social or semi-official context.
Section 2: A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic situation.
Section 3: A conversation with up to four speakers based on academic topics or course-related situations.
Section 4: A university-style lecture or talk.
The IELTS listening question types vary and focus on a variety of different listening skills. For instance,
some questions involve completing a form, chart or diagram, others require you to select pictures which
represent what you have heard. In addition, there are note-taking exercises and multiple-choice questions.
All aspects of the Listening test, as well as additional skills, are covered in this section. So read each part
of this section to be prepared for each type of questions you will face in the real IELTS listening test.

UNIT 1: Orientin yourself to the text.

In order to understand what people are saying, it helps to know what their relationship is to each other and
to you as the listener. The language we choose to use will depend on our relationship to the other
speakers, e.g. we use different language to talk to a family member as opposed to a teacher or a
salesperson. Knowing the context of a conversation also helps us to understand the language because it
helps us to anticipate what the speakers are going to talk about.
Focus on :
Who are the speakers?
Where are they?
Why are they speaking?
Follow-up: Spoken and written language
Make a list of the types of language you hear spoken every day both in your own language and in English.
Divide the list into two columns showing language which is spontaneous or unprepared and language
which was probably written to be read out loud. Then discuss the questions below with a partner.
What are the main differences between spoken language and language which was
written to be read out loud? Is it harder to understand one than the other?
Why is it more difficult to understand people when they speak on the telephone?
How is this similar to listening to a recorded conversation?
UNIT 2: Listening for specific information.
Sometimes when we listen, we are only interested in finding out very specific information such as dates
and times, names or keywords. It helps us to understand if we can work out what kind of words we are
listening for.
Focus on :
What are the keywords?
What type of words are they?
UNIT 3: Identifying detail.
UNIT3 If someone is describing an object like an umbrella; it is the detail in the description, such as the
colour or a reference to the shape, which allows us to differentiate it from another umbrella. So we need to
listen to the words very carefully which describe the detail.
Focus on :
When do we need to listen for detail?
Why is detail important?
UNIT 4: Identifying main ideas.
When we take part in a conversation or listen to other people, we subconsciously separate the information
that we need or that interests us from the rest of what we hear. In other words, we separate the main ideas
from the supporting detail. Sometimes people use an introductory phrase to attract our attention and to give
some clue to the topic.
Focus on:
What are the speakers talking about?
What are the main ideas and how are they developed?
UNIT 5: Looking for the original meaning.
People do not always say exactly what they mean. As listeners, we must learn to interpret the words people
use as well as their intonation patterns. In this unit, we will investigate some ways of seeing beyond the
surface meaning of spoken language while following a conversation.
Focus on:
What does the speaker mean exactly?
How can we interpret intonation?
UNIT 6: Being aware of stress, rhythm and intonation.
Public speakers and lecturers make use of stress, rhythm and intonation patterns, along with signpost
words, to divide their information into 'chunks' of meaning. Learning to recognise these speech patterns will
help you to understand formal spoken English whether you are listening to a live or a recorded talk.
Focus on:
How do intonation and word stress help us to understand?
Test instructions
At the beginning of each section, the speaker will give a brief introduction to the situation. For example,
"You are now going to listen to a conversation in a language school. Paulo is registering for a course and
talking to a lady at the student services counter."
You will then be given instructions:
"Read questions 1 to 6. As you listen to the tape, write the correct answer in the spaces provided."
You are then told to look at the questions:
"First, you have some time to look at the questions 1 to 6."
The tape will be silent for about 30 seconds. Then the speaker will repeat which questions you have to
answer:
"Now listen and answer questions 1 to 6."

Question types
The types of tasks are:
1. Multiple Choice
2. Short-answer questions
3. Sentence completion
4. Notes/table/summary flowchart/diagram completion
5. Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts
6. Classification
There are 40 questions in total and about 10 questions in each section and at least two types of questions
in each section. Both the texts and the tasks increase in difficulty as the test progresses.

The Question Types 1. Multiple Choice.

There are three types of multiple choice questions in the IELTS listening exam.

1. Where there is one possible answer. ( Sometimes picture multiple choice)

2. Where there are multiple answers for only one mark.
3. Where there are multiple answers and one mark for each.

For these questions, you may be given the start of a sentence which you have to complete with one out of
four or more choices. Or you may be presented with a question and asked to find two, three or four items in
a list of answers.

Look at the examples below.

(Type 1)
Questions 1 and 2
 Circle the correct letters A-C.
1 When did John finish the book?
A. on the way to Japan
B. in Japan
C. on his way back from Japan.
2 What did John think about the book?

A. He thought it was funny.

B. He couldnt understand it.
C. He didnt enjoy it.
(Type 2)
Questions 3 and 4
Choose TWO letters A-E.
3 John likes to read novels
A. on his way to work.
B. during his lunch break.
C. on his way home from work.
D. after dinner.
E. when he goes to bed.
4 John would like the library

A. to open on Sundays.
B. to have more magazines and journals.
C. to employ more staff.
D. to have exhibitions.
E. to do some renovations.
(Type 3)
Questions 5-7
Circle THREE letters A-F.
What types of books does John like to read?
A. Science fiction
B. Thrillers
C. Adventure
D. Romance
E. War
F. Biographies
Also note that you may be asked to circle ONE, TWO, THREE or FOUR letters.
 How to do the multiple choice questions-
Read the instructions carefully and check how many letters you need to circle.
Skim the questions and the answer choices quickly before the recording starts and during the
30 seconds given. As you do this,
o Underline the keywords the words that give you the most information, such as the wh-
words and nouns.
o Try to work out what you are going to hear from the vocabulary of the questions and/or
pictures.
o Translate any pictures into words and look for details that are different in the options.
o Decide what kind of information you need to listen out for.
Listen to the introduction given carefully.
Answer the questions as you listen. Circle the letters. The information will be given in the same
order as the questions, although it might be expressed differently. Be prepared not to hear the first or
even second answer choices mentioned.
Remember to make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer, so you can go
back later.
Dont leave any questions unanswered.
Remember:
-- To listen for people correcting themselves when speaking. They may discuss one of the answer choices
and then reject it.
-- To eliminate unlikely answers.

The Question Types 2. Short Answer Question.

These questions require general information or specific details which you will find by listening to the text.
There are two types of short answer questions in the IELTS listening exam.

Type 1. Questions
Type 2. Lists
These questions will always tell you to write your answers in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you
can answer with one word, two words or three words but no more. Also, note that the answers should not
require a hyphenated word (e.g. non-smoker) or a contraction (e.g. Theyve). If the answer requires a
number, you can write it as a numeral (e.g. 6) or a word (e.g. six) or a combination of a numeral and a word
(e.g. 6 million).
Look at the examples below.

(Type 1)
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
 1 On which day of the week is the museum closed?

2 How old is the museum?

.

(Type 2)
List THREE things which the museum has recently bought.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
3 .
4 .
5 ..
How to do short answer questions-
Read the instructions carefully.
Skim the questions quickly before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As
you do this,
o Underline the key words.
o Try to work out what you are going to hear.
o Decide what you need to listen out for.
o Look out for question words like where and who which indicate you should listen
for specific things like places and people.
Listen to the introduction given carefully.
Answer the questions as you listen. The answers will be given in the same order as the
questions although they may be expressed differently.
You may use your own words.
Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.

The Question Types 3. Sentence completion.

These questions require you to complete the end of a sentence or insert a word or phrase in the middle of
a sentence or one sentence may require a word in the middle and a word at the end. The sentences may
be in a table.

They are similar to the short answer questions in that they will always tell you to write your answers in NO
MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you can answer with one word, two words or three words but no more.

As with short answer questions: Also note that the answers should not require a hyphenated word (e.g.
non-smoking) or a contraction (e.g. Theyve).
 If the answer requires a number, you can write it as a numeral (e.g. 6) or a word (e.g. six) or a combination
of a numeral and a word (e.g. 6 million).

Look at the example below.

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
1 Both Hong Kong and Japan have .
2 There are more . .. visiting Japan.
3 Tourists are interested in . and . .

How to do sentence completion questions

Read the instructions carefully.
Read the sentences carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you
do this,
Underline the key words.
Try to work out what you are going to hear.
Decide what you need to listen out for.
Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
If the sentences are part of a table, check whether they are horizontal or vertical.
Listen to the introduction given carefully.
Answer the questions as you listen. The information will be given in the same order as the
questions, although it may be expressed differently. You may use your own words.
Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct.
Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.

The Question Types 4. Notes/ table/ form/ summary/ flow chart/ diagram completion
questions.

These questions ask for specific information. There are two types of these completion questions in the
IELTS exam.

Type 1. With a selection of possible answers.

Type 2. Without a choice of possible answers.
These questions require you to:
-- insert a word or phrase in the middle of a sentence.
-- insert a word in the middle and another word at the end of a sentence.
-- write words or phrases that are not in sentences.
 -- write a letter that represents a word or phrase.

Type 2 questions are similar to the short answer questions in that they will tell you to write your answers in
NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you can answer with one word, two words or three words but no
more.

As with short answer questions also note that the answers should not require a hyphenated word (e.g. non-
smoker) or a contraction (e.g. Theyve). If the answer requires a number, you can write it as a numeral (e.g.
6) or a word (e.g. six) or a combination (e.g. 6 million). Look at the examples below.

Complete the table below using the words from the box. Write the appropriate letters A-G against
Questions
(Type 1)
Breed Facts
Pug (1) ..
Scottish Terrier (2) ..
Shih Tzu (3) ..
Great Dane (4) ..
Greyhound (5) ..
A watchdog in Chinese imperial courts
B bred to chase foxes
C status symbol
D police dog
E bred to guard sheep
F appealed to Victorians
G came from the Middle East

(Type 2)
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
SOUTH DOWNS DOG SHOW

Date: (6) .
Time: (7) to
Place: (8)
How to do these completion questions-
Read the instructions carefully.
Look at the table or form etc carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds
given. As you do this,
Examine any headings or subheadings.
Try to work out what you are going to hear.
 Decide what you need to listen out for.
Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
If a box of answers is given, see if you can guess any of the matches & eliminate unlikely
answers.
Listen to the introduction given carefully.
Answer the questions as you listen.
Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.
Remember:
-- If there is a box of answers, there will be at least two you dont need.
-- If there is no box, the answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more.
-- If you think you need more than three words your answer is probably incorrect.
-- There may be alternative rubrics for these completion questions e.g. complete the notice or complete
the explanation or complete the news report.

The Question Types 5. Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts The questions.
You will be given a diagram and asked to label it with labels given in the listening text. You will usually be
given a box of words or phrases from which to select the labels.