Listening Test

The IELTS Listening test is approximately 40 minutes in length and there are four sec­tions, each with a separate listening passage. In each section, there are 10 questions making 40 in all. Sections 1 and 2 are based on social survival in an English-speaking country and Sections 3 and 4 are based on a more educational and training orientation. The listening recording lasts for about 30 minutes and then you have 10 minutes at the end of the listening in order to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Section 1: Here you will listen to a conversation between 2 people. The conversation is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear. At the start of Section 1, you will have an example read out to you and then explained. This is then repeated when the listening starts properly.

Section 2: Here you will hear a monologue though it may include a second speaker asking questions in order to stimulate the monologue.The monologue is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

Section 3: Here you will listen to a conversation between 2,3 or 4 people. The conversa­tion is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

Section 4: Here you will hear a monologue though it may include a second speaker asking questions in order to stimulate the monologue. The monologue is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

The main problem that candidates have with the IELTS Listening test is that the listening recording is played once only. Therefore, you have to be quite quick and very alert in order to pick up the answers, write them down and be ready for the next answer. Another area where candidates have problems is that they are used to listening to a live speaker in front of them when they can look at the lips and the body movements. IELTS candidates listen to a record­ing and this is not a natural skill. As mentioned above, you have to get as much practice at this skill as possible in order to maximise your chances of getting a good band score.