IELTS General Training format: Listening
Master Every Skill you need for the Listening part of your IELTS General Training test
What’s in the IELTS Listening paper?
The paper has four parts, with 10 questions in each part. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.
Parts 1 and 2
Deals with everyday, social situations.
- There is a conversation between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements).
- Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Parts 3 and 4
Deals with educational and training situations.
- In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor).
- In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
You will hear the recordings once only. Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.
You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to do this. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Summary
- Time allowed: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet)
- Number of parts: 4
- Number of questions: 40
- Marking: Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score in whole or half bands, e.g. 5.5 or 7.0.
Types of question
What’s Involved?
This question type may present:
- A question with three possible answers, or
- The first half of a sentence with three potential endings.
You must select the correct option (A, B, or C) and write the corresponding letter on the answer sheet.
In some cases, you may encounter a longer list of possible answers and need to choose more than one. Carefully read the instructions to determine how many answers are required.
What Skills Are Tested?
This question type assesses various listening skills, including:
- Understanding specific details in the recording.
- Grasping the main points of the recording.
How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions can vary.
What’s Involved?
In this question type, you will match a list of items mentioned in the recording to a set of options provided on the question paper. Write the correct letter corresponding to your answer on the answer sheet.
What Skills Are Tested?
This question evaluates your ability to:
- Identify detailed information, such as understanding types of hotel or guest house accommodations discussed in an everyday conversation.
- Follow a dialogue between two speakers.
- Recognize connections between facts presented in the recording.
How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.
What’s Involved?
In this question type, you’ll label parts of a visual based on information from the recording. The visual could include:
- A diagram (e.g., equipment layout).
- A set of pictures.
- A plan (e.g., of a building).
- A map (e.g., part of a town).
You may need to:
- Choose answers from a list provided on the question paper and write the corresponding letter on the answer sheet.
- Fill gaps using words from the recording. In this case, follow the word limit given in the instructions (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”). Words from the recording should not be altered.
Important Notes:
- Carefully read the instructions, as exceeding the word 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.
What Skills Are Tested?
This question type evaluates your ability to:
- Understand descriptions of places or objects and relate them to a visual.
- Follow directions or spatial explanations, such as “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 complete gaps in an outline based on part or all of the recording. The outline highlights the main ideas or key details and may take one of the following formats:
- A form: Often used for factual details like names.
- A set of notes: Summarizes information and shows how points relate to each other.
- A table: Organizes data into categories like place, time, or price.
- A flow chart: Outlines steps in a process, with arrows showing the sequence.
You may need to:
- Choose answers from a list on the question paper and write the correct letter on the answer sheet.
- Fill gaps using words from the recording. If this is required, follow the word limit provided in the instructions (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”) without altering the words from the recording.
Important Notes:
- Carefully follow the word limit in the instructions to avoid losing marks.
- Contracted words (e.g., “they’re”) are not tested.
- Hyphenated words (e.g., “check-in”) count as one word.
What Skills Are Tested?
This question evaluates your ability to identify and note the key points from the recording, similar to what someone listening would naturally write down.
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 section. You’ll fill in the blanks using details from the recording.
Key Details:
- Carefully read the instructions, as the word or number limit can vary (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).
- Exceeding the word 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 gaps appropriately.
What Skills Are Tested?
This question evaluates your ability to:
- Identify and extract key information from the recording.
- Understand 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 respond to questions by writing brief answers based on information from the recording.
Key Details:
- Follow the instructions carefully, as the word or number limit may vary (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).
- Exceeding the word 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.
- Sometimes, you may be required to provide two or three answers for a single question.
- Write your answers directly on the answer sheet.
What Skills Are Tested?
This task evaluates your ability to listen for specific factual details, such as places, prices, or times mentioned in the recording.
How Many Questions Are There?
The number of questions varies.