IELTS

LISTENING TIPS
Summary of the Listening Test

Part 1 – Social context (2 speakers)

Part 2 – Social context (1 speaker)
Part 3 – Education/training (2-4 speakers)
Part 4 – Academic context (1 speaker)
 General strategies
 Anticipate what you will hear.

It will be better if we can predict the script. In

the introductory we have 2.5 minutes to listen
to the guidance. We can use that time to read
the questions and predict what will we listen.

Sometimes, we can predict the answer by

reading the next questions.
Signpost words
Pay more attention to the signpost words
(such as: first, in addition, lastly, etc).

They tell you when the speaker is moving

on to a new idea or stage.
Write, listen, write
In the listening module, the answers often
come quite close together, so you have to be
able to write the answer to one question
while listening for the answer to the next.
Identifying distractors
Distractors often have similar
words/sentences with the questions.

Be careful, the answer can often come after

the distractors
Understanding meaning
In the listening module, answers are usually
stated explicitly.

But sometimes, attitude may be expressed

more clearly through intonation than
through words.
Identify features of speech
When talking about important things, a
speaker’s pace will often slow down
A speaker will often stress important
words
A speaker may pause before and/or after
an important point
Don’t forget!

Some distractors may be stressed too.

Summary type of questions
section 4

The information in the summary follows the

same order as on the recording, so use
keywords in the summary as ‘markers’ to
avoid getting lost
Be careful!

Be careful to put the answer in the right

place. Sometimes, we make mistake to put
the answers in appropriate column.
Spelling!
Do not abbreviate the answer
Usually the questions will be related to numbers
and alphabet, we have to be accustomed with
spelling the numbers and alphabet.
It is better to write down the answers in capital
letters to avoid misunderstanding when the
examiner checks our answer (if your
handwriting is messy)
Incorrect spelling will be marked as an
incorrect answer
Move on!

If we lost one or some questions, usually

we think hard to remember it. This will
waste our time and probably we will lose
our concentration. So, better we keep focus
on the next questions.
Synonym and paraphrasing
Remember that sometimes we can not find
the same sentence or same word between
questions and answers.

The word(s) around the answer is/are

usually the synonym/paraphrase the word(s)
in the audio.
Grammar
Incorrect grammar will cost you points.
Be careful with things like plural and
singular nouns. There may be clues such
as an indefinite article in front of the
blank space for the answer which would
indicate the answer is a singular noun.
Also, be careful with tenses. For instance:
The company supplies, NOT supply
Capitalization

Capitalization of proper nouns is also

important. For example, names of countries,
cities or geographical locations (among
other things) must be capitalized. For
example, if you write “Russia” as “russia”
your answer will be marked as incorrect.
Other tips
As you listen, write your answers in your test booklet and then
transfer them at the end of the listening test. You will be given 10
minutes to do this. Be sure to check that you have transferred your
answers correctly and remember to check your spelling and grammar.
Also, be sure to complete your answer sheet. An incomplete answer
sheet means an incomplete score.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything you hear. Listen out
for the KEYWORDS from the questions and focus on what you need
to be listening out for.
Make sure you follow the word count in the instructions of each
question. For example, if the instructions say “write no more than one
word” and you write “the train” instead of “train”, your answer will
be marked as incorrect.
There is no negative marking, so you will just get a zero for an
incorrect or incomplete answer.