IELTS Listening Guide and Strategies
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IELTS Listening Guide and Strategies

In this article, you will be learn about IELTS listening guide.

What is IELTS Listening test?

IELTS Listening and speaking test are same for both types (IELTS Academic or IELTS General) of candidates. The IELTS Listening test is the first part of the examination and is taken at the beginning of the test. There are total 40 minutes to attempt this test which contains 4 recording sections. Each section consists of 10 questions. In this test, 30 minutes are given to answer the questions, and 10 more minutes to transfer your answer to the answer sheet or final sheet.

Remember, 40 questions are asked by the native English speakers and it can be any accents such as (British, American or Australian).

IELTS listening test format

IELTS listening test is the most important part for both types of candidates. It consists of 40 questions and 4 sections. Each section consists of 10 questions. IELTS Listening test is not too difficult, you need to pay attention on the recording questions; you can take high bands in the test.

To understand listening test, you need to know about IELTS Listening test format or structure. This table will help you to understand it completely.

Listening testFormat / StructureQuestions
Section 1A conversation between social or non- social context.  (1to 10) questions
Section 2Non- academic situation which is based on single speaker conversation.  (11 to 20) questions
Section 3Speaker talks about course related situations or academic topics.  (21 to 30) questions
Section 4A university- style lecture.  (31 to 40) questions

IELTS listening guide– 36 steps

These 36 listening steps will help you to understand IELTS listening test, sections and also its question types. These are:

  1. First of all, you should know about the test and its structure.
  2. Familiarizes yourself with the range of accents.
  3. Remember, listening test consists of 40 minutes.
  4. Don’t lose your concentration in the listening test.
  5. In the test, recordings are played only once.
  6. Listen to English every day for the best preparation of the test.
  7. Enhance your general listening skills; you can get high scores.
  8. It is essential to do practice transferring answers to the answer sheet.
  9. Listening actively is the best tip in the recordings section of the test.
  10. In the listening test, write answer too quickly. Otherwise you may miss the answer.
  11. You can write answer to the answer sheet using capital or small letters of English.
  12. To get high bands, you need to ensure the following instructions which are given in the test.
  13. Don’t skip any answer of the question in the listening test. Knowing IELTS listening question types can also be very much helpful for you to perform better in listening module.
  14. Improve your vocabulary in a brilliant way.
  15. Practice to understand various English accents.
  16. Remember, How numbers and words are calculated:
  17. A large number “1,000,500” is considered one number.
  18. A hyphened word “part- time” is considered one word.
  19. For taking good bands in the listening test, you must transfer your accurate or complete answers to the answer sheet.
  20. Using abbreviations or short sentences will help you to extend or understand your answer later.
  21. Practice listening things or questions only once will be fruitful for you in the recording section.
  22. Prepare yourself for the unexpected questions in the test.
  23. Focusing on the next question is the key to success.
  24. Don’t write answers too slowly.
  25. Attempt all the questions in the listening test. There is no negative marking.
  26. Be careful to transfer your answers to the answer booklet.
  27. Check for silly mistakes within 30 seconds after completing the each section in the listening test.
  28. Practice writing and listening questions before the test is the best tool which can bring you at high level.
  29. Don’t worry if you miss any answer; just move onto the next question.
  30. Observing the synonyms in the listening test are compulsory.
  31. Don’t try to understand everything, just focus on your answer of the question.
  32. Analyzing the question in 20 to 30 seconds is enough to take higher scores.
  33. Don’t do any spelling mistakes, if you do it in your answer, your marks will be deducted in the test.
  34. Build a habit to identify between essential and non- essentials things in the recording.
  35. If you don’t know about any answer of the given question, try to attempt it with any possible answer.
  36. Don’t leave any blank answer in the listening test.
  37. Pay attention to the spellings and accurate sentence structure.
  38. You need to know about IELTS Listening questions types:
  39. Note completion
  40. Sentence completion
  41. Map labeling
  42. Form chart
  43. Summary completion
  44. Fill in the blanks
  45. Multiple choice
  46. Table completion

You can also read the IELTS listening tips and tricks to get more ideas about listening test.

Frequently asked questions about IELTS listening guide

There is no restriction to write answer in capital or small letters. You can write answer in a combination of both (Upper case & Lower case). But make sure that answer must be correct or relevant to the given question. Otherwise, IELTS examiner will reduce your bands in the listening test.

It is not impossible thing to achieve 9 bands in the IELTS Listening test. By following above tips, you can easily take 9 bands. But keep it in your mind that practice to take high bands is most important.

IELTS listening test day advice is most important for you during the test.  These are:

  • Before the recordings begin, you should read all the questions.
  • Identify your keywords.
  • Don’t waste your time on one question. When one section is completed, move ahead.

No, you shouldn’t skip any question. If you skip any question it means that you will surely lose marks in the test. Instead of skip question, you should attempt it by any relevant idea or information. It might be possible, examiner may give you mark of that question.

IELTS listening test is divided into 4 recording sections and contains 40 questions. Remember, each answer of the given question is rewarded 1 mark. The total scores out of 40 are converted into 9 bands.

  1. First of all, you need to know about the test.
  2. Synonyms are essential to locate the right answers.
  3. Follow audio scripts and keywords.
  4. Ponder on your slight mistakes.
  5. Practice to listen recordings at home much time.

 In IELTS listening test: Three things to get right answer

  1. Be accurate, you need to be very exact when you are answering the question.
  2. Guess if you don’t know about the correct answer.
  3. Makes notes before you listen in the test.
  1. First of all, highlight keywords or main words.
  2. Don’t spend too much time on one question
  3. Keep it in your mind that answers must be in the form of letters not in words.
  4. Practice is the key to success.
  5. Remember; don’t write the first answer you hear in the listening test.

In the listening test, spellings are most important and play a crucial role in your success. If you do any spelling mistake in the answer, examiner will deduct your marks. Remember, correct spellings are important in the IELTS listening, reading and writing.

Don’t worry; there is no restriction to give IELTS test twice. You can take IELTS test many times as you like.

Tips for listening test:

  1. When you do practice test before the IELTS exams, you should listen only once.
  2. You need to pay attention in your listening weaknesses or grammar mistakes.
  3. Underline keywords is most important.
  4. Concentration on the recordings sections at 30 minutes is most important to get higher scores in the listening test.
  5. Be prepared yourself for any type of examiners question in the listening test will boost your confidence.

These tips will help you in the listening test:

  1. First of all, you should read all the instructions.
  2. Read the information given in the diagram.
  3. You need to focus synonyms and paraphrased sentences or direct words.
  4. It is a good idea to check once after you have answered the questions.

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