STRATEGIES AND PRACTICE IN IELTS: THE LISTENING TEST

By format, the listening part in IELTS test covers four different sections where each section contains 10 questions and it takes roughly around 30 minutes. As you are already aware of the fact that the recording is played one time only, the success of aiming for your targeted score will certainly depend on how well you are able to grasp and digest the information that you listen to. Perhaps, you are not expected to possess any particular or exceptional knowledge when it comes to the listening test. However, it is necessary for you to take this as an advice for which you should be able to cope up and dealing with a wide range of topics discussed, as well as a variety of different voices and accents spoken. After all, you must also be prepared and familiar with the fact that the typical IELTS recordings in some occasions may feature non-native English dialects such as German or Spanish.

Note: The listening test in IELTS basically measures how well you are able to manage these following skills.

a. Ability to listen to the specific information.

b. Ability to identify the main ideas, supporting information and details.

c. Ability to comprehend or understand the speaker’s opinion behind.

As you know that there are four different sections divided in this IELTS listening test, the questions presented often follow the order of the information in the recording. Therefore, after each section is completed, you are then given some time about 30 seconds to check your answers before you proceed to the next part of the recording.

SECTION 1

In the first section of IELTS listening test, it usually features a conversation concerning about the kind of social needs, for example, an interview at accommodation agency or a survey. The typical questions that you may have to answer in this section 1, perhaps, are in form of table/sentence completion, multiple choice, and short-answer. Subsequently, the target listening skill in this section is that you must be prepared to listen to specific information carefully, for example, the names of spoken items, prices, measurement, and so on.

SECTION 2

Following the first section which has priory been described above, the IELTS listening test in section 2 usually relates to the social and training needs. In this case, you will hear the recording which plays a monologue on the general or non-academic subject; for example, a short conversation talking about on how to use the local library facilities. Additionally, the target listening skill required in this section is that you must be competent enough in capturing the main ideas as well as supporting points as you listen.

Here are some of the following examples of monologue that perhaps, you may happen to hear or listening to in section 2:

a. A library orientation talk.

b. A general speech on the healthy living subject.

c. A talk about enrolment procedures of college admissions.

d. A radio broadcast about some fascinating places to visit in the area.

e. And so forth.

SECTION 3

In the third section of IELTS listening test, the typical recording played is usually concerned with educational or training contexts. At this stage, you will hear a talk among three or up to four people; for example, such an educative conversation between a tutor and his/her students, or several pupils discussing their assignment.

Perhaps, some of the typical tasks which can be found in this section can be in form of summary completion, labelling a diagram, and matching. And obviously, the target listening skill in this section 3 may further test you a wide range of different skills such as listening for specific information, main ideas and supporting points, also understanding a speaker’s opinion. After all, you may have a look at these following examples of conversations that you probably expect to hear in section 3:

a. A group of high school or college students giving their presentation of an academic project.

b. A job interview.

c. A discussion between a student and a mentor on how to complete a given project.

d. And so on.

SECTION 4

Finally, this is the last part of IELTS listening test which is concerned with educational matters and training contexts; for example, a lecture or a general talk of non-academic interest. Besides, some of the typical questions appeared in this section are generally matching the figure, classification, and multiple choices. As you already know that there is no break or pause during this final section, you are strongly advised to look through all the questions presented in the given time prior to the commencement of the recording being played. In any case, it is also important to listen for words signalling a change from one part of a lecture to another.

Here are some of the following examples of monologues below that you may get to hear in the fourth section:

a. A college or university lecture spoken by a professor.

b. A monologue about animal species.

c. A lecture about a subject of historical record.