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Introduction
IELTS listening test is same for both Academic and General
versions. It consists of four sections, each of them has ten
questions. The listening module is based on recorded materials
and takes 30 minutes in total.

The listening materials can be understood without special

background knowledge, which are usually related to common
topics of society or study. However, IELTS listening isn't limited to
British English, test takers should be able to deal with different
voices and accents, from Ireland, South Africa, to India.

Test takers have only one chance to listen the materials. So,
familiarizing with test structure and following test guide are very
important to finish listening module smoothly.

Question Type The core of listening test is to evaluate listening

ability. The question types are designed to reflect your listening
level. You may see multiple question types in test papers. The six
main types are as list:

 multiple choice: Choose the right letter

 matching: Choose the right letter
 diagram, plan, map: choose the right letter or word
 form, table: fill in word/number
 sentence completion: fill in word/number
 short answer: fill in word/number

One test paper may not contain all types, but may have new
question types that never occur before. Practice question types
will speed up your response in real test, but the key point is still
your listening skill. Besides, some question types require to fill in
words, so spelling skill also impacts listening score.
Section IELTS listening test always has four sections, each may
have up to three question types.
You will hear an introduction about the speakers, topic, and some
backgrounds before each section. Note these contents aren't
printed in test paper. Then you are supposed to go through the
questions in 30 seconds. After a 30 seconds blank, the recording
continues. If the recording will enter a new set of questions, you
will have another 30 second break to view the new questions
before the recording goes on.

In any section, the questions' order is consistent with the order of

information presented in listening materials. When a section
finishes, you have extra 30 seconds to check answers.

Four sections are in a fixed pattern of topic, style, and order. For
example, the first two sections are related to daily contexts and
the last two are related to school activities. More details are as

 Section 1: A conversation between two people in everyday

contexts, usually involving customer service, e.g. in public
library
 Section 2: A monologue in everyday contexts, e.g.
introduction of a place, event, activity, or organization
 Section 3: A conversation in schools, usually between two
students, sometimes being guided by a teacher
 Section 4: A short piece of lecture by a teacher

Now that you know that IELTS listening test has fixed formats,
why not to learn and familiarize them before test day? It's a
proven way to up listening score by practicing IELTS style
exercises.