IELTS Listening · Lesson 1 of 13
How the Listening test works
Four parts, forty questions, and you hear each recording only once. Learn to use the preparation time, follow the instructions, catch numbers and spellings, and keep up with the speaker.
In this lesson you will
- learn what happens in each part of the Listening test
- understand word limits so you never lose a mark for writing too much
- practise catching names, spellings and numbers
- learn to keep up with the speaker by listening for signposting language
The test
What to expect
Complete the table about Part 2
Use the information about Parts 1, 3 and 4 to help you.
| Part | Number of speakers | Themes | Break in the middle? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Social / everyday | Yes |
| 2 | |||
| 3 | 2–4 | Academic | Yes |
| 4 | 1 | Academic | No |
Look at how the table helped you: the column headings told you what type of information was missing, and the other rows showed you what an answer looks like. You will use the same skills in table completion tasks.
True or false?
- You hear each recording only once.
- The questions follow the order of the recording.
- All the speakers have British accents.
- You get time to read the questions before each recording starts.
- In the computer test, you get 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers.
- You need to know about the topic of the Part 4 lecture.
- Accents include British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian.
- On paper you get 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers. On computer you type your answers as you listen and get 2 minutes to check them.
- The test checks your listening, not your subject knowledge.
- Use the reading time before each recording to understand the context and predict the answers.
Skill 1
Follow the instructions exactly
If you write more words than the instructions allow, you lose the mark, even if the information is correct. A number written in figures (60) is a number; written as a word (sixty) it counts as a word. Hyphenated words (time-management) count as one word.
Match each instruction to one possible answer
Possible answers: a 60 craftsmen · b 60 local craftsmen · c local craftsmen · d sixty local craftsmen · e 60 locally trained craftsmen · f craftsmen. Use each answer once.
- 1 Write ONE WORD ONLY
- 2 Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
- 3 Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
- 4 Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER
- 5 Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
- 6 Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
Now find all the answers that fit
Some answers fit more than one instruction. Tick every answer that would get the mark.
- ONE WORD ONLY
- NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
- NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
- NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER
- NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
- NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
Notice that d (sixty local craftsmen) is three words, because the number is written as a word. Writing numbers in figures is safer.
Skill 2
Names, spellings and numbers
Many questions, especially in Part 1, ask you to write down names, spellings, phone numbers, dates and prices. Press each ▶ button to hear a sentence, then write the information. You can listen again in this practice, but in the test you hear everything once.
Dictation
Listen and complete the notes. Spelling counts!
- Name:
- City:
- Mobile:
- Date of birth:
- Bus number:
- Rent: £ per week
- Name:
- Town:
- Postcode:
- Address:
- Cost of this year's course: $
Watch out for corrections! In items 5, 6, 10 and 11 the speaker gives one piece of information and then changes it (no, sorry…, actually…, it was… but it's gone up). The first number you hear is often a distractor. Also learn how English speakers say double R, double E, and oh for 0.
Numbers that sound alike
Numbers like 14/40 and 13/30 are easily confused. Listen and choose the number you hear. Listen for the stress: thirTEEN but THIRty.
Skill 3
Keep up with the speaker
Good speakers use signposting words and phrases to show how their talk is organised. Listening for them helps you know when the speaker is moving on to the next question, so you never get lost.
A talk about Listening Part 4
You will hear a tutor giving a short talk about Part 4 of the IELTS Listening test.
Transcript (check it after you answer)
TutorWelcome to today's talk about Part 4 of the Listening section of IELTS. We'll look at its style and format, as well as share some key tips for preparing to listen.
TutorFirst, let's look at the style of the listening. You will listen to a monologue, one speaker, delivering a lecture on an academic topic. Don't worry, you do not need to know anything about the topic itself. Remember, this is not a test of your subject knowledge but of your ability to listen carefully to spoken English.
TutorMoving on to the format of Part 4 now. As with all parts of the Listening test, you have 10 questions to answer. These questions could all be of the same type, for example 10 note completion questions, or you could get a combination of question types. This mix of question types includes, but is not limited to, multiple-choice, short-answer or other completion questions. Please note that all of your preparation must be done before you hear the audio. The main difference in the format of Part 4, compared to Parts 1 to 3, is that there is no break in the middle of the audio. You will not get time in the middle of the recording to read through the next set of questions.
TutorFinally, the key advice for Part 4 is to use the preparation time to identify the key words to listen out for, so that you know when the speaker is moving on from question to question. It's important that you keep up with the speaker, so that you do not miss any questions.
Before you listen
Look at the table in the next exercise. What kind of word goes in each gap?
- 1 A university-style ______ on a specific subject.
- 3 There will be ______ questions in this part.
- 4 Multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions or ______ questions.
Listen and complete the table
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| What to expect | Tips and advice |
|---|---|
| A university-style 1 on a specific subject. | You don't need any 2 on the topic. |
| There will be 3 questions in this part. | The questions could all be the same type, or a mix. |
| Multiple-choice, short-answer or 4 questions. | All of your preparation must be done before you hear the audio. |
| There is 5 once the speaker starts. | Use the 6 to fully prepare. |
Signposting expressions
What does each expression do?
- Welcome to today's talk about…
- First, let's look at…
- Moving on to…
- Today I'm going to talk about…
- Now let's turn to…
- To sum up, …
- Finally, …
A talk is organised like an essay: an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. In the test, the recording may stop before the conclusion. Signposting is also useful in your own Speaking Part 2 answers and Writing Task 2 essays.
Key strategies for every part
- Use the reading time. Before the recording starts, read the instructions and questions. Work out the context: who is speaking, and what about?
- Check the word limit for every set of questions. It can change from set to set.
- Predict the type of answer: a name, a number, a noun, a place…
- Underline key words and think of synonyms. The speaker will often use different words from the question.
- Keep up. Listen for signposting and for the key words of the next question, so you know when to move on.
- Check spelling, grammar and the word limit at the end.
Activities adapted from British Council IELTS teaching materials (takeielts.britishcouncil.org).