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IELTS_LISTENING
Tips for IELTS Listening Test

Outline:
Overview of IELTS Listening Test Structure of Test

Overall Strategies
Types of Questions Strategies for each Types of Questions Practice test
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Overview of IELTS Listening Test

Time allowed: 30 minutes + 10 minutes for transferring answers Number of Questions: 40/4sections (10 each) The first section is the easiest and the last is the hardest. It is the first module you will do when you take IELTS.
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Section 1: A conversation (2 speakers only) about a social topic. Section 2: A monologue about a general topic. Section 3: A conversation (2-4 speakers) about an academic topic. Section 4: A talk or lecture by one speaker about an academic topic.
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Overall Advice
Keep your eyes on the paper; your ears on the tape Guess Manage your time

Types of Questions
1. Form Filling 2. Sentence/Summary 7. Note completion 8. Table completion 9. Labeling map or plan

completion
4. Multiple choice 5. Matching 6. Classification
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3. Short answer question 10. Labeling a diagram

11. Flowchart completion

Type 1: Form Filling

Read instructions carefully Look at the form and the information Note the order of the questions Look at the gaps and any headings Underline or highlight the key words As you listen, complete the form
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Type 2: Sentence/Summary completion

Read the instructions carefully Underline or highlight the key words Note what kind of information is needed Decide what kind of information is needed As you listen, complete the sentence or

summary
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Type 3: Short Answer questions

Read the instructions carefully

Check to see if all the questions follow

the same format

Underline or highlight the key words
As you listen, write your answer

Type 4: Multiple Choice

Read the instructions carefully

Read what is given carefully

Read the three possible answers

Underline or highlight the key words

Re-phrase the question or statement in

your own words

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As you listen, choose the correct answer.

Type 5: Matching
Read the instructions carefully Look at the list of numbered questions and

decide what they have in common.

Say them quietly to yourself
Re-phrase each of the options

As you listen, match the options to the

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questions

Type 6: Classification
Look at the task and decide what the topic is.
Look at the main question and the

numbered items that follow it

Look at the numbered items and decide

what they have in common

As you listen, decide which letter best fits

each numbered item.

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Type 7: Note Completion

Read the instructions carefully Look at the layout of the task Read the notes and decided what the topic is Try to re-phrase the notes Underline or highlight the key words Note whether there is more than one gap for

any of the questions

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As you listen, complete the notes

Type 8: Table Completion

Read the instructions carefully Look at the table and the information included

and decide what it is about

Look at the gaps and headings and decide what

type of information is required

Note the order of the questions

Underline or highlight the key words

As you listen, complete the table
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Type 9: Labeling map or plan:

Read the instructions carefully. Look at the map or plan to form a general idea Decide what kinds of words are needed Use the words already provided in the map or plan to guide your listening.

When you listen, pay particular attention to

expression of location

As you listen, choose the correct answers.

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Type 10: Labeling a diagram

Read the instructions carefully Look carefully and decide what the diagram is about Note any title or labels If you have a box of possible answers, read and

think about how they relate to the diagram.

Think about where the labels might go or what the

unlabeled parts might be.

As you listen, choose an answer from the box or the

recording.
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Type 11: Flow chart completion

Look carefully at the questions and decide

what the overall topic is Note how the sequence works Decide what type of word is needed As you listen, complete the flow chat

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References:
Jakeman, V. & McDowell, C. (2006).

Cambridge Action Plan for IELTS.

Cambridge University Press
Sullivan, K, O. & Thurlow, S. (2002).

Focusing on IELTS: Listening and Speaking Skills. Sydney: NCELTR

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