IELTS Academic Listening

What’s Involved?
For this question type, you might encounter:

• A question with three possible answers, or
• The first half of a sentence with three possible endings.

Your task is to select the correct option (A, B, or C) and record your answer by writing the corresponding letter on the answer sheet.

In some cases, you’ll be presented with a longer list of possible answers and asked to select more than one. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to determine how many answers you need to choose.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question type assesses a range of listening abilities, such as:

• Understanding specific details in the recording.
• Grasping the general meaning or main points of the recording.

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions may vary.

What’s Involved?
In this question type, you’ll need to match a list of items mentioned in the recording to a set of options provided on the question paper. Write the corresponding letter for each match on the answer sheet.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question evaluates your ability to:

• Understand detailed information, such as identifying the type of hotel or guest house being discussed in a casual conversation.
• Follow a dialogue between two speakers.
• Recognize how facts presented in the recording are related to one another.

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.

What’s Involved?
For this type of question, you’ll need to label parts of a visual, which could be:

• A diagram (e.g., equipment layout).
• A set of pictures.
• A plan (e.g., of a building).
• A map (e.g., of a town or area).

You might be asked to:

• Choose answers from a list on the question paper and write the correct letter on the answer sheet.
• Select words directly from the recording to fill gaps on the question paper. In this case, pay attention to the word limit provided in the instructions. You don’t need to alter the words from the recording.

It’s crucial to read the instructions carefully, as the word or number limit can vary. For example, you may see instructions like “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.” Exceeding the limit will result in losing marks.

• Contracted words (e.g., “they’re”) are not tested.
• Hyphenated words (e.g., “check-in”) count as one word.

Write your answers directly on the answer sheet, ensuring they fit the gap correctly.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question type assesses your ability to:

• Understand descriptions of places and how they connect to visuals.
• Follow spatial explanations, such as directions (e.g., “straight ahead” or “through the far door”).

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.

What’s Involved?
In this question type, you’ll fill in gaps in an outline based on part or all of the recording. The outline highlights the main ideas or facts and could take the form of:

• A form: Typically used for factual details, like names or addresses.
• A set of notes: Summarizes key information and shows how different points are connected.
• A table: Organizes information into categories, such as place, time, or price.
• A flow chart: Outlines the steps in a process, using arrows to show the sequence.

You may be required to:

• Choose answers from a list on the question paper and write the correct letter on the answer sheet.
• Use words from the recording to complete the gaps on the question paper. Be sure to follow the word limit provided in the instructions. The words should not be changed from how they appear in the recording.

Pay close attention to the instructions, as the allowed number of words or numbers can vary. For example, you might see a directive like “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.” Exceeding this limit will result in a loss of marks.

• Contracted words (e.g., “they’re”) will not be tested.
• Hyphenated words (e.g., “check-in”) are counted as one word.

Write your answers on the answer sheet, ensuring they fit the gaps correctly.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question assesses your ability to identify and record the main points and facts that a listener would naturally take note of.

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.

What’s Involved?
In this question type, you’ll complete sentences that summarize key information from either the entire recording or a specific part of it. You’ll need to fill in the blanks using details from the recording.

Carefully read the instructions, as the word or number limit for each gap may vary. For example, the instructions might say, “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.” Exceeding this limit will result in losing marks.

• Contracted words (e.g., “they’re”) are not tested.
• Hyphenated words (e.g., “check-in”) count as one word.

Your answers should fit the gap as instructed and must be written correctly on the answer sheet.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question evaluates your ability to:

• Extract key information from the recording.
• Understand the relationships between ideas, facts, or events, such as cause and effect.

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.

What’s Involved?
In this question type, you’ll read a question and provide a brief answer using details from the recording.

Pay close attention to the instructions, as the word or number limit can vary. For example, you may see directions like “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.” Exceeding this limit will result in a loss of marks.

• Contracted words (e.g., “they’re”) are not tested.
• Hyphenated words (e.g., “check-in”) count as one word.

Write your answers directly on the answer sheet. In some cases, the question may require you to provide two or three different answers.

What Skills Are Tested?
This question assesses your ability to listen for specific details, such as places, prices, or times mentioned in the recording.

How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.