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IELTS Listening Preparation 2024 - Tips, Format, Sections

IELTS Listening Preparation 2024 - Tips, Format, Sections

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 25, 2024 03:58 PM IST | #IELTS

IELTS 2024 Listening Skills: Preparation Techniques - The IELTS listening preparation is a very integral part of the IELTS examination preparation. The listening component of the IELTS exam is fundamental in assessing candidates' abilities to comprehend spoken English effectively. Hence, the candidates must take their IELTS listening preparation seriously and attempt as many as IELTS listening practise tests as possible. Additionally, they can also seek help from IELTS listening past papers to enhance their IELTS listening preparation Achieving excellence in this segment necessitates engaging in diverse and comprehensive IELTS listening practice tests, a key step in refining auditory comprehension and processing skills. It is necessary for the candidates whether they are undergoing IELTS listening preparation online or physically to hone their listening skills. The IELTS listening scores can also play a significant role in determining the overall IELTS band score. Test-takers often encounter challenges in this crucial part of the IELTS, where focused attention and accurate response formulation are paramount. To navigate these challenges successfully, intensive IELTS listening training is recommended. This involves consistent practice with a wide array of IELTS listening study aids, including a variety of online sample audio and interactive exercises. These specialized resources are designed not only to enhance overall listening proficiency but also to acquaint candidates with the specific format, question types, and listening scenarios they will encounter in the actual IELTS listening examination. The candidates can also utilize the IELTS listening practice pdf designed by Careers360 for expert insights and practice sets that are designed as per the exam structure prescribed by the IELTS examination conducting bodies. One good practice is to refer to the IELTS listening past year’s papers so that the candidates can have an understanding of the examination format through which they will be able to have an idea on what to expect in the actual test. In the IELTS listening exam, the candidates are supposed to answer to 40 questions from four different recordings. This article has combined a list of, IELTS listening test tips that can empower candidates with mandatory listening skills. The candidates are advised to read the IELTS academic listening tips and incorporate them into their IELTS listening preparation. The candidates can also attempt the IELTS listening practise test mock tests available in the Careers360 website.

IELTS Listening - Overview

The listening section is an essential section of the IELTS examination. Four different audio will be played and the candidates are asked questions based on it. A total of 10 questions per section is asked, making a total of 40 questions for the candidates to attend. The listening test practice of the IELTS examination is an important aspect of the IELTS preparation of the candidate. Successfully attempting 33 or more questions can provide the candidate with a decent overall band score. The candidates are advised to practice a lot of IELTS listening test practice materials which can help them to understand the exam pattern and be confident on the examination day. Practising these IELTS listening tasks can certainly give the candidates an edge over the other candidates.

Why do the IELTS Listening Section Matters?

  • IELTS listening evaluates the ability of the candidate to understand spoken English, reflecting their overall language proficiency. They can choose to register for IELTS listening preparation online or enrol in an IELTS listening test preparation offered by institutions to enhance their IELTS listening preparation.

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  • It also assesses the aptitude of the candidates to grasp information from various accents and contexts, essential for effective communication in English-speaking settings. A diverse range of IELTS exam listening practice tests are available online to help candidates in their journey.

  • A good performance in the listening section ensures that the candidate can understand and respond precisely in various daily life situations, which enables smooth communication in English-speaking communities. This can only be achieved through constant IELTS exam listening practice tests.

  • The listening section contributes to the overall IELTS score of the candidate, influencing their ability to meet the language proficiency requirements set by academic institutions, employers, or immigration authorities making IELTS listening practice quintessential.

  • IELTS exam listening practice also helps the candidate to improve their overall English language skills, including vocabulary, comprehension, and note-taking contributing to their overall communication competence.

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Aspirants who are appearing for IELTS exam can download this eBook which have complete study material for academic writing task 1 (Data Interpretation) and academic writing task 2 (Essays) sections.
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IELTS Listening Section 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.

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Vocabulary and Language Skills for IELTS Listening Test

  • Read a variety of materials, such as newspapers, magazines, academic articles, and literature from the moment the candidates start their IELTS preparation listening practice test. This will help the candidate with learning different writing styles and vocabulary which is useful in the IELTS listening preparation.

  • Maintain a vocabulary notebook to note down new words along with their meanings, usage, and sample sentences. The candidate is advised to go through them regularly to enhance their IELTS listening preparation

  • Experts have also suggested creating flashcards with the word on one side and its definition, synonyms, and example sentences on the other. This creative yet highly beneficial tool would help the candidates to ace both the IELTS General Listening Practice tests and IELTS Academic Listening Practice tests. Regularly reviewing these flashcards can improve the candidate's vocabulary which can help them immensely in their IELTS listening test preparation

  • The candidate must also try to understand word families and how words are related. For example, learn the noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms of a word to expand their vocabulary. A lot of resources can be found in free online IELTS listening practice tests

  • The candidates must also get familiarized with common idioms and phrases used in English. At times, commonly used idioms and phrases are frequently used in audio-recorded conversations. The candidates must take part in various IELTS preparation listening practice tests to have a clear understanding of the types of idioms and phrases asked.

  • The candidates must also regularly take IELTS preparation listening practice tests conducted by institutes or attempt free online IELTS listening practice tests to simulate exam conditions. This will help the candidate understand the format and time constraints of the IELTS listening exam.

Types of Questions Asked in IELTS Listening Section

Question Type 1 – Multiple-choice

Overview

In MCQs, the candidates will be given 3 options, A, B, and C. They will be asked to find the most suitable answer from the recording that is being played. Almost all of the listening IELTS practice tests available online have MCQ question samples in them.

What skills are required?

This type of question tests various listening skills (such as detailed understanding) and the alertness of the candidate.

Question Type 2 – Matching

Overview

In this type of question, the candidates are required to match the set of items in column A with the set of items in column B. Practising more IELTS listening practice sets can help the candidates ace this test.

What skills are required?

This type of question tests the abilities of the candidates to understand the relationship between the different entities in a conversation.

Question Type 3 – Plan/map/diagram labelling

Overview

In this type of question, the candidates are asked to complete labels on a visual which may be:


  1. a diagram

  2. a group of pictures

  3. a plan

  4. a map


The candidates should:


  1. Choose the answers from a list given on the question paper and then write the correct corresponding letter on the answer sheet


  1. Select words from the recording that a match into gaps provided on the question paper by following the words or letter limits specified on the question paper without changing any words or adding any extra words by their own.


Question Type 4 – Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion

Overview

In this type of question, the candidates are asked to fill or complete a part of the conversation given on the question paper. It can be


  1. A form: This is used as a substitute for various information such as a name, place, date etc.


  1. A set of notes: used to summarise the recording and establish a relationship between multiple concepts.


  1. A table: used to summarise information which can be further subdivided into more categories, e.g. place/time/price


  1. A flow chart: used to summarise the flow of events in a process, with the direction of the process represented by arrows.


The candidates must adhere to the word limits set by and answer the questions accordingly

What skills are required?

The analytical and reasoning skills of the candidate are put to the test


Question Type 5 – Sentence Completion

Overview

Candidates must read the question's sentences and highlight the key ideas to answer this kind of question. Each sentence will have a gap that they must fill in with information from the recording.


These types of questions are very frequent and are seen in almost every set of IELTS listening sections

What skills are required?

This type of question focuses on the ability of the candidates to identify the pivotal information in a recording.

Question Type 6 – Short-answer questions

Overview

In this type of question, the candidates have to read the question and write a short answer using information they have listened to from the recording.


What skills are required?

This type of question focuses on their ability to pay attention to vital information presented in the recording such as facts, place names, prices or times, dates and famous anecdotes heard in the recording.

IELTS Preparation Material: Listening Section



IELTS Practice Test: Listening Section

Additional Resources: Important Books, Guides and Websites

WEBSITES

1. https://ielts.org/

2. https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/

3. https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/what-ielts

4. https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/ielts/

BOOKS AND GUIDES

1. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

2. Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio

3. Official IELTS Practice Materials

4. Barron's IELTS Superpack


In conclusion, the key to excelling in the IELTS listening section lies in diligent and focused preparation. Engaging regularly in an IELTS preparation listening practice test is essential for familiarizing oneself with the test format and question types. Utilizing a variety of listening IELTS practice tests helps in enhancing comprehension skills and acclimatizing to different accents and speeds. Consistent practice with various IELTS exam listening practice tests ensures that candidates can effectively manage time and improve their overall listening abilities. Remember, success in the listening section is not just about understanding the content but also about applying effective strategies, which can be mastered through dedicated listening test practice.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What types of accents are heard during the IELTS Listening tests?

Because IELTS is an international test, a variety of accents can be heard during the IELTS listening tests. This may include accents such as British, Australian, New Zealand and North American. Therefore, taking part in a lot of IELTS preparation listening practice tests is essential for understanding various accents. 

2. How long is the listening test?

The IELTS listening test is 40 minutes long. All the IELTS exam listening practice tests are also designed accordingly.

3. How many times can I listen to the recording?

The audio is played only once meaning that the candidates can only listen to the audio one time. It will not be replayed or repeated. Indulging in more listening IELTS practice tests  can enhance the attention to detail skills of the candidates and help them perform better.

4. Is there a negative marking in the IELTS listening test?

No. There is no negative marking in the IELTS Listening Test. Hence, the candidates are advised to answer all the questions to have a better chance of boosting their scores.

5. Will I have time to read the questions before the audio plays?

Yes. The candidates are given time for reading the questions and they are advised to read the questions before the audio plays so that they can answer the questions promptly along with answering the questions. More IELTS listening practice can bring better band scores.

6. Is it okay to have spelling errors?

No. The candidates must refrain from making spelling mistakes. This can severely impact their scores because often answers with spelling mistakes are not counted for final band score calculations.

7. How can I improve my listening band score?

The best way to improve the listening band score is through constant practice. The candidates must be involved in as much as IELTS preparation listening practice tests. They can also seek help from IELTS listening preparation online articles. The IELTS listening preparation of the candidate can also be enhanced by making IELTS listening practice a part of their daily routine. This can be achieved by listening to English movies, songs, podcasts, shows and audiobooks of different accents regularly.

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Questions related to IELTS

Have a question related to IELTS ?

Hello,

It is very highly unlikely to obtain a legitimate IELTS certificate without taking the exam. Any claims suggesting otherwise are likely scams. It is essential to take the exam through authorized testing centers to ensure the validity and credibility of the certificate.

Hope this helps you ,

Thank you

Hello,

The difficulty of the IELTS General Training and Academic modules depends on individual strengths and backgrounds. Generally, if you are more comfortable with everyday English and practical tasks, you might find the General Training module easier. Conversely, if you are accustomed to academic English and have experience with academic tasks, you might find the Academic module more manageable.

Hope this helps you,

Thank you

Hello aspirant,

Opinions on the E-GMAT course vary. Some find it beneficial for improving GMAT skills, especially in verbal sections, while others may prefer different resources. It's essential to explore reviews, consider your learning style, and maybe try a trial or sample to see if it aligns with your preferences before making a decision.

So it all depends on your personal opinion.

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

Many candidates ask whether their IELTS certificate is real or fake. To know if your IELTS test report is real or not, check the following points:

  • Check the certification stamp on the certificate if it matches the centre of registration and your selected IELTS test centre .

  • Visit the IDP IELTS official website after receiving the oft copy of your certificate via email to check whether it is available online and if it is valid.

  • Make sure that you receive the confirmation of your IELTS registration from the centre you registered. Also, check the login credentials to verify your IELTS results once the process is complete.

  • Collect the hard copy of the IELTS scorecard directly from the test centre once the results are announced.

  • Talk to the agent directly on the phone to verify his identity.

Verify all the above-mentioned points carefully to not get deceived by any fraud attempts.

Yes, if you are not happy with your scores, you can apply for a re-evaluation of your IELTS results . Also, if you think there is a need for improvement in your band score, you can reach out to your IELTS test centre . If you did not achieve the desired IELTS scores , you can also apply to retake the test whenever you feel prepared.

However, the rechecking fee for IDP IELTS in India is Rs. 17,000, and candidates can only apply for rechecking of one section, which is called IELTS OSR (One Skill Retake). Test takers need to submit the 'Enquiry on Results Form' (EOR Form) for sending the re-marking request for the IELTS Academic test.

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