IELTS LISTENING TIPS

Test: 25-30 minutes, 10 minutes to transfer your answers

 Spelling (Practice and use British English)

DIFFERENCE AMERICAN ENGLISH BRITISH ENGLISH
O / OU Flavor Flavour
Honor Honour
Favor Favour
Odor Odour
Humor Humour
Neighbor Neighbour
ER / RE Center Centre
Theater Theatre
Liter Litre
Meter Metre
L / LL Traveled Travelled
Canceled Cancelled
Z/S Apologize Apologise
Organize Organize
Recognize Recognize
Analyze Analyse
UE Catalog Catalogue
Dialog Dialogue
Analog Analogue

 Understanding the difference of American and British English words.

AMERICAN ENGLISH BRITISH ENGLISH

 Truck  Lorry
 Apartment  Flat
 Schedule  Timetable
 Vacation  Holiday
 Subway  The Tube
 Pants  Trousers
 Expensive  Dear
 Package  Parcel
 Lad/Lass  Boy/Girl
 Pharmacy  Chemists’
 Bathroom  Loo
 Pal/Friend  Mate
 Mail / Mailbox  Post / Post box
  Prediction
Before the start of the section or part, you will have some time to read ahead the questions.
This will give you an idea about what to focus on.
Example: She will travel on __________. (on a boat, on a plane) or (on March 15, 2021)
In the fill in the blanks, predict if the word will be a NOUN, VERB, ADJECTIVE
Example: The woman plans to buy three __________.

 Listen and Write at the same time, but be aware of changes.

Example: “the number is 6732.” *After a few seconds* “On no, wait. It’s actually 6723”
Other common examples are writing the family name, address, taking an order, date.

 Use prepositions properly (in, on, at, etc.) A preposition is a word.

Example: “at” the hospital ,
WHERE: (2) __________
(2) The best place to meet is ___________.

 Be careful to read the instructions. (Words or Letters)

Example: Write the letter of the correct answer. OR Write the correct word for each question.
a) Windy
b) Sunny
c) Rainy
d) Humid
4 PARTS OF THE LISTENING TEST

PART / SECTION CONTEXT NUMBER OF SPEAKERS

1 Social Needs Conversation between two
speakers
2 Social Needs Speech by one speaker
3 Educational or Training Conversation between up to 4
people
4 Academic Subject Speech by one speaker

 In the first section there is a conversation between two speakers. For example - a
conversation about travel arrangements, booking accommodation, or decisions on a
night out.
 The second section is a monologue (a speech by one person). It will be set in an
everyday social context. For example - a speech about student services on a University
campus or arrangements for meals during a conference.
 Section three is a conversation between up to four people. For example - a conversation
between a tutor and a student about an assignment or between three students
planning a research project.
 The final part is another monologue. It is a lecture or talk of general academic interest
such as a university lecture.