IELTS Listening Preparation 2024 - Tips, Format, Sections

The IELTS listening preparation is considered the most important aspect of the IELTS exam, as many of the students aspire to score a minimum of band 8. A very high IELTS listening band score can enhance the candidate's overall IELTS band score. Students acquiring Band 8 usually get good scholarships from universities and on the other hand the working professionals or the candidates aspiring for a permanent residency in many countries meet their eligibility criteria if they score so high. The candidates are advised to engage themselves in a lot of IELTS listening practice tests to secure a very high IELTS listening test score.

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This Story also Contains

1. IELTS listening test structure
2. IELTS listening practice tips
3. Additional tips on IELTS listening test
4. Types of questions asked in IELTS listening section
5. IELTS listening band score chart
6. IELTS practice tests

In this article, we shall discuss the IELTS listening preparation tips and tricks so that help you score the desired band. For this, it is important for you to know the structure of the exam and the strategies to solve each type of question.

Before we start with the strategies, we all need to know that both General and Academic IELTS have a similar listening test. It is also marked in the same way. Hence, we recommend that IELTS listening preparation be done online and you do not have to travel to far-off places to go through any training. Always remember to follow strategies and practice well before the exam will ensure a high band score.

IELTS listening test structure

There are four sections in the IELTS listening module and each comes with different types of questions. Let us discuss all in detail.

IELTS listening preparation - section one

• The audio played in this section is a conversation between two people and is very basic. The conversation will normally be for making a hotel booking or renting an apartment, You will have to listen to specific information to fill in the blanks such as name, phone number, or particular descriptions according to what is played in the audio.
• This section has 10 questions.
• These 10 questions are subdivided into 2 parts.
• Before the audio begins, you will get 30 seconds to read questions 1-5 /6, post these thirty seconds the audio starts and you need to answer the questions as you hear the audio.
• Remember that the audio is played only once and it is never repeated.
• After you finish the first set of questions, you again get 30 seconds to read the next questions, that is questions up till question number 10.
• After 30 seconds, the audio starts and you have to answer the questions as you hear.

Now, let us check the strategies to score high in Section - One of IELTS Listening Module

IELTS preparation online - strategies for listening section one

• Read the instructions carefully and answer the questions according to the instructions, the instructions will let you know the number of words you can write to attempt the answer.
• Remember that writing beyond the word limit will not get you scores, instead your right answer will be marked wrong.
• This section will normally mention a name as an answer, so you need to carefully hear the name and the spelling the speaker spells for the name, remember that the names are in native English so you need to practice to hear carefully and write down the spellings.
• This section will also make you write numbers, in the form of phone numbers or a number in the address, while it's easy to understand numbers in the audio, you need to be careful in listening to the number zero, as they do not call it as a zero but will call it as the letter “o”.
• You need to carefully read the questions in the thirty seconds to analyze and guess correctly as to what the answer could be.
• Remember to listen to the end to come to the answer, especially at the end of the section as the discussion would have a lot of distractions before reaching the accurate answer.
• You will have to practice this section regularly to gain a high score. We recommend you listen to BBC documentaries or podcasts.

IELTS listening preparation - section two

• This section of IELTS is a monologue, so there is only one speaker that you need to understand.
• The audio in this section will normally talk about a map, plan, or diagram.
• You are expected to note the directions, mention where a specific place is, and what something is made of.
• You have to be focused while reading the questions in the given 30 seconds and also be able to guess what the answer could be.
• This section is also divided into parts and in each part and you get 30 seconds to read the questions and then while you listen to the audio, you have to answer.
• Underline the keywords in the questions when you get 30 seconds to read them.

IELTS preparation online - strategies to solve map-based questions

IELTS listening section two normally has map-based questions, so let us follow the given strategies to solve them accurately.

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Utilize the 30 seconds that are given to read the questions effectively so that you are able to predict the answer, in terms that could either be a noun or direction.
• Underline Key Words - This step can be done while you are reading the questions or afterward. For the Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling question type, this step will be minimal, because there will not be many words.
• Pay Attention to Directions- you should pay attention to direction words that are used when discussing images and maps.
• While the audio goes on, move your pencils along with the directions that the audio gives.
• Practice well.

Directional words to practice - high bands in map-based IELTS listening question

• NORTH, At / On the top of, To the north of, Above, Slightly north of
• South, At the bottom of, Below, Slightly South of
• West, To the west of, To the left of, left-hand side
• East, To the east of, To the right of, Right-hand side, Slightly east of
• On the far side
• In the Southwest/ Northwest/ Northeast / Southeast
• In the middle of/ In the center of
• opposite/ In front of
• clockwise/ Anti-clockwise
• A bit beyond
• Right past
• Before/After
• Adjoining
• Enter through/via
• Runs through
• Runs Alongside

We recommend that you make sentences with each directional word given above to excel in using maps and also following the directions. If a candidate wishes to improve their IELTS listening band scores and learn other important IELTS dictation words, they can refer to the 100+ IELTS dictation words article written by IELTS experts.

IELTS listening preparation - section three

• The third section of IELTS listening is an academic conversation between 2-4 people and usually is between people with different accents.
• The audio will follow the same structure of 30 seconds like sections 1 and 2.
• Here, you will be expected to understand the conversation between people talking about certain facts, expressing their viewpoints, and even discussing something academic in nature.
• This section is most likely to have multiple-choice questions.

IELTS preparation online - strategies to solve multiple-choice questions

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Read the questions and identify what is exactly asked.
• Underline the keywords in the question and also in the options.
• Make educated guesses of the answer.
• Although the questions are asked in a sequence, the options given here are not in sequence.
• You will hear the audio talking about all the options, you have to eliminate the wrong ones by listening till the end and avoiding all sorts of distractions in the discussion.
• You have to manage time, in case you miss any particular question, move to the next and stay focused.
• Understand the connecting words used like however, but, nevertheless as they mean a contradiction.
• Practice well.

IELTS listening preparation - section four

• This is the most difficult part of the IELTS listening test.
• It has 10 questions like all other sections, however, you get only 30 seconds to read all the 10 questions, so, you need to be more focused.
• It is a monologue, an academic lecture given by a native speaker, the lecture is similar to a university lecture.
• The type of questions are mostly completion type.

Strategies to score high band score - section 4 - IELTS preparation online

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Quickly skim all the questions, underlying the keywords as you have only 30 seconds.
• Follow the audio carefully, it will move step by step.
• This section is academic and hence you will hear a lot of words you do not know, it's okay because you just have to focus on the keywords and reach the answer avoiding all sorts of distractions.
• The best way is to make notes as you hear, so it becomes easy to relate to the exact answer.
• Stay focused on the words that are near the blanks.
• Practice well, you should hear a lot of academic content on authenticated podcasts.

While you practice well for the IELTS exam, we recommend that you stay focused and give yourself an English environment so that you are well-versed in the language.

• You should aim high and listen to authenticated BBC documentaries and YouTube channels of native English speakers.
• Make a list of academic topics and listen to academic documentaries so that you are able to enhance your listening skills.
• Listening to authenticated material will help you learn the correct pronunciation of words and also enrich vocabulary which will be helpful in other IELTS modules.

IELTS listening practice tips

• Before the recording begins, carefully read the questions for every section at the beginning. This will make it easier for the candidate to listen to the audio and find the answers. The candidates can do the same during their listening test practices before the actual examination to make this habitual.
• It is preferable to read the questions for the next section after finishing the current one rather than worrying about the last section. This can help the candidates in their IELTS exam listening practice as well as on the final listening test.`
• Be extremely mindful of word limits. If the instructions state to write no more than two words, then writing more than that will result in the candidate receiving no points for their response, even if part of the words were right..
• While listening to the audio, cross out the options that don't apply. This helps the candidate to quickly search for the correct response. This habit must be developed by the candidate from the start of the IELTS listening test preparation.
• If there are questions the candidate is unable to answer, leave them and move on to the next question. This will help the candidate to stay relaxed and calm. Try to answer those questions at the end, if the candidate has time. Panicking and writing inappropriate answers must be avoided during both IELTS preparation listening practice tests and the actual examination.

Additional tips on IELTS listening test

• Before each recording starts, carefully read all the questions for that section. This will help you follow the recordings and find the answers easily.

• Once you finish a section, you can proceed to read the questions for the next section.

• Sometimes, you'll have a list of options to choose from. Answers may not necessarily be in the order you hear them; they could be alphabetically listed.

• Pay attention to the word limits for each section. For example, if it says 'Write no more than two words', stick to this limit. Writing more could result in receiving no marks for that answer.

• Be attentive and watch for key words or synonyms from the questions. This can help you identify the answer.

• Listen carefully for words that indicate where you are in the recording, such as 'firstly', 'my next point', 'conclude'. These words help identify the relevant question.

• While listening, eliminate options that don't fit to make finding the correct answer easier.

• When mentioning dates in answers, remember different formats are acceptable (e.g., April 24, 24th April, 24 April).

• If you're stuck on a question, skip it and return later if you have time. Avoid wasting time and causing unnecessary stress.

• If taking the IELTS on paper, you have 10 minutes after the last recording ends to transfer answers from the Listening booklet to your answer sheet. Wait until all recordings are finished to transfer, as transferring between sections may cause you to miss important information about the next section of the test.

Types of questions asked in IELTS listening section

IELTS listening band score chart

IELTS listening score charts provide a clear and standardized way to assess and communicate a test taker's English proficiency. This clarity helps candidates understand their strengths and areas needing improvement. Also, The IELTS listening band score charts help candidates set realistic goals for their language proficiency. By seeing where they currently stand and where they need to be for their specific purposes (such as studying abroad or immigrating), candidates can focus their efforts effectively.

Extracted from - IELTS IDP official website. Copyright © 2024 by IDP Education

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