IELTS Listening Module

In the IELTS Listening Module, the recording is played only once. You must use a variety of strategies carefully.

Do you understand the instructions

Instructions are both on the question paper in written and spoken on the tape. Read and listen to every word in the instructions very carefully. Make sure you follow them closely and respond in the right way.

Preview and Prediction

An announcer will briefly outline:

  •     the topic
  •     who's talking
  •     the situation.

Try to listen carefully, as this will help you to preview the questions.

Before the recording begins for each section, you have up to 30 seconds with the questions. Use this time efficiently so that you can prepare yourself to the information you hear.

Here are some hints for previewing and predicting:

    Study the question carefully and try to predict what kind of response is required. For example, there is a date, name, or perhaps be a number?


  •     Review the differences between similar-looking pictures or diagrams.

  •     Look for small details such as different numbers or omissions.

In addition to the 30 seconds before each section you will also be given 30 seconds after each section to look over your answers. If you use your answers in the section you just finished and are satisfied, go to the next section and use the full 60 seconds for the preview.

Listening for specific information

Use the Preview and prediction skills will help you get the specific information you need to hear to answer the questions in the Listening Module. Listen for key words and joint connecting words for  the specific information you need to answer the question.

Review and rewrite

You will be given 30 seconds after each section to review and check your answers. Check that all your answers correspond with the given instructions.

Make sure you answer all questions. Marks are not deducted for wrong answers so if you are unsure, have a specific answer, you should write down what you think is the correct answer.

Make sure that you include only what is necessary in the response.

At the end of the listening module, you will be given about 10 minutes to get your answers from the question of transfer paper on the answer sheet. Scan your answers, make sure you transfer it correctly, so that the number on the question paper corresponds with the number on the answer sheet. Be especially careful when transferring answers from tables or charts as sometimes the elements are not linearly ordered.