ALL LISTENING TIPS FOR IELTS

1. MAKING PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE SITUATION

In the exam, each different listening situation is introduced on the recording. For example, you may hear the
following:
'You will hear a customer enquiring about buying a camera.'
You should then spend a few seconds before the dialogue begins thinking about the kind of situation you are
about to hear and the kind of language that may be used. When you listen to the instruction, try to answer the
questions
 Who will speak? About what? To whom?
 Where do you think this conversation is taking place?
 What questions do you think you will hear?
 What vocabulary related to the situation do you think you may hear?
The more effectively you can predict, the quicker your mind will form the correct word associations to make
with the topic, and the better you will be able to work out the meaning of what you hear.

2 TIPS FOR NOTES COMPLETION/ FORM FILLING IN IELTS LISTENING

You need to listen for important details like names, dates, places, times, etc. Sometimes these are spelt out. If
they are not, you still need to try to spell the answers correctly.

What does form filling test?

-form filling tests your ability to predict what is missing in the gaps.

TIPS
- Listen carefully to the instruction as this can helps you know about the topic.
- During the time you are given (around 20 seconds)
+ Read the instructions, imagine the situation and underline the number of words you are allowed to write
for each answer.
+ read the headings and layout of the notes. Read across the rows from left to right following the order of the
questions, and NOT up and down the columns.
- Look at the gaps and any headings and identify the question and answer type. Also make a guess about the
part of speech (e.g. noun,verb, or adj.), and meaning of the word(s) to fill in.
- Underline or highlight the key words around each gap and use these to help you listen for the answer.
- While you are listening, write down your answers because you will only hear the recording once. The
questions follow the order of the recording.

Note:
-For questions involving things like measurements or money you must write the unit of measurement (e.g.
cm, m, $) if this is not already given on the question paper.
-You can write numbers in words or figures. You do not need to write the full form (e.g. centimetres) - the
abbreviated form (cm) or the symbol is fine.
-Notice that although the instructions say write no more than three words, your answers may all be shorter than
this.
- Use no more words than you are told to use and make sure you spell them correctly. If you write too many
words, or if you write down different words from the ones you hear, your answer will be marked as incorrect. If
you spell a word incorrectly, your answer will be marked as incorrect.
- At the end of each section, check your work immediately as you may forget the information later.

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 3. TIPS FOR MULTIPLE CHOICE TASK
Before you listen:
1. Read what is given carefully and note whether it is a question or a statement
2. Next, you should read the first question and all the possible answer choices to that question. By doing this,
you will be prepared for the first quesiton. Use a highlight pen to underline any keywords/phrases in the
question and possible answer choices that you feel might help you in listening to the answer.
3. Then, you should at least read the other questions for keywords before you read any of the possible answer
choices to those questions. This will further assist with predicting and prepare you to move on to the next
question as the questions change.
Be ready to give the answer to the first question as soon as the passage begins. Sometimes the answer to the first
question is given in the speaker's very first sentence.

As you listen:
- If in doubt, consider the longest answer after rejecting any illogical answers.
- Guess the answers to unanswered questions - do not leave blanks.
- Don't choose an option as soon as you hear it on the recording. You may hear information relating to two or
more options, but only one option will be correct.

4. TIPS for DIAGRAM LABELLING

Introduction
- Diagram labelling activities are often based on a plan or map of a place. There are two kinds of labelling
tasks.
+ In matching questions, you need to match features of the diagram to items from a list.
+ Or you are asked to fill a gap, usually with three words or less from what you hear.

Tips
Before you listen
- Read the instructions to see how many words you should use to complete each gap.
- Read the instructions carefully and try to familiarize yourself with the map as well as possible. Describe it in
your own words
+ Make sure you understand what direction you need to be following. Is it right or left? North or South?
+ If it is a map of a place, before listening use words of directions to mentally describe some first places on
the map. You can even write down “left” or “right” if you sometimes confuse them.
- Look at the parts of the map or plan you need to label and decide what kinds of words are needed.

While you listen

- Find the starting point once the CD begins.
- When you listen, pay particular attention to expressions of location such as in the middle, on the corner,
next to, above/below, straight ahead, etc. as the answer may depend on your understanding these words.

Note:
- The numbers on the map will be in the same order as the information you hear.
- Keep track of the part of the diagram being described by pointing to each part as you hear it discussed on
the recording.
- When you hear the keyword or any of its synonyms, listen out for the answer. Write your answer in the
space provided.

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 5. TIPS FOR CLASSIFICATION
What does classification involve?
You will see a list of numbered questions (1,2,3..) and a list of options labelled with a letter (A,B,C...). You
match the correct option to each question based on what you hear.

There are two types of tasks

- Type 1: There are usually more possible answers than questions and you can use each answer only once.
- Type 2: You will probably use all the answers and you may use each answer more than once.

Tips
- Read the questions first and decide what they have in common. Say them quietly to yourself to help you
recognise them on the recording.
- Then, read the list of options, noting any heading in the box. Underline the keywords. Paraphrase each of the
options in your own words.
- As you listen, match the options to the questions.
- Keep up with the tape. If you hear the key word in the next question, then answer that question first.

Note:
-There will usually be more options than you need to answer the questions.
- The options are not in the order you will hear them but the questions will be listed in the order that you will
hear them.
- You may hear more than one of the options you have been given and you may hear them very close together.
As with the reading, an option must answer the question.
- The options are usually all mentioned, but not in that order, and you will not need to use them all.

6. TIPS for SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

There are two types of short answer question.

+ Type 1 is where you answer an actual question
+ Type 2 is where you make a list of up to three things.

TIPS
- Read the instructions carefully to see how many words you can use in your answer.
- Identify the answer type needed. Try to predict the
answer. Try saying the possible answers to yourself.
- Identify keywords. Think of synonyms or paraphrases. Use these key words to listen for the answers.

Note:
+ Remember that in short-answer questions, correct spelling is important.
+ Wh- question words are often key words in Type 1 questions.

7. TIPS FOR SENTENCE-SUMMARY COMPLETION

-You complete the sentences or summary by writing up to three words and/or a number in the gaps. The gaps
can come at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the sentence.

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- What is the difference between sentence and summary completion?
There is very little difference. Sentences are joined together to form a summary.
In summary completion tasks you have to fill in gaps in a short paragraph which summarises the main ideas of
one part of the talk. You need to listen for parallel expressions.

TIPS
- Read the instructions carefully to see how many words you can write in your answer.
- Underline or highlight the keywords in each question and around each gap and use these to listen for the
answer.
- Decide what kind of information is needed to complete the sentences, e.g. a noun, a number, a verb or an
adjective.
- As you listen, complete the sentences or summary.

Note:
- Grammatical words in the questions such as articles and prepositions are important and can be a useful
guide to missing words.
- If you have a box of options, you only need to write the correct answer A, B, C, etc. Otherwise you write the
words you hear on the recording. Use no more words than you are told to use and make sure you spell them
correctly.
- You can write numbers in words or figures.

8. TIPS FOR FLOW CHART COMPLETION –LECTURE

What is flow chart completion?
A flow chart always represents a sequence of events or a process. You complete the flow chart by writing up to
three words and/or a number in the gaps. You may have a box of possible answers to choose from.
Flow chart completion is like note completion. It may not follow standard grammatical rules or layout.

Tips
1. Read the chart to decide what the overall topic is. Note how the sequence works.
2. Look at each gap and predict the meaning and part of speech (n,v,adj) of the word(s) you have to fill in
3. Highlight key words to help you follow the talk

Note:
- You have to closely follow the development of the lecture. The words included in the task can guide you
through the recording, so it is important to read all the notes carefully during your reading time.
- Write the correct words and/or numbers on the answer sheet. Use no more words than you are told to use and
make sure you spell them correctly.
- You can write numbers in words or figures.

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