IELTS Listening Task

Below are tips and information about the Listening Task test and how to be a Good Listener

The IELTS listening test is split into four segments. the segments sometimes get increasingly complex. You only hear each section one time.

➔ The time allotted for the test is 40 minutes.
➔ The listening usually takes 30 minutes, you are to answer the questions while listening.
➔ You will be given time to read the questions before you start listening to the audiotape.
➔ The remaining 10 minutes is to transfer your answers to an answer sheet if you are doing a paper-based exam.
➔ But if it is computer-based you won’t be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers as they are already on the computer. You will only be given 2 minutes to review your answers
➔ If your words are spelt incorrectly then you will be marked wrong, so take note of your spellings
➔ For each set of questions, there is going to be a word count limit,
➔ You are required to pay close attention to the limit and how it changes for the next questions
➔ For example; you can write one/two words and/or a number, you can also write one/two words or a combination of one/two words with a number or just a number.
➔ Always notice if it allows a number or numbers

How to boost your listening skills.

You should know that effective listening has three forms which are attentive listening, responsive listening, and active listening. But you will mainly be dealing with attentive listening and active listening because you will not be face to face with the speaker but will be listening to an audiotape.

Attentive Listening

To be an attentive listener you have to concentrate on the speaker, in this case, concentrate on the audio being played and work hard to eliminate distractions (such as ambient noise or poor delivery skills) your main concern is to listen to what is being played not to focus on whatever mistakes the speaker makes. You are also expected to be patient and listen to the audio without interruption which means no talking while listening. Although it is not easy, attentive listening is essential for effective communication.

Active Listening

Active listening is probably the most important listening skill. To be an active listener you have to listen to the communication of a message at both the content and feeling level. Always pay attention to what is being said, why it’s being said, and how it’s being said. Then, once you feel you understand the message being passed, you paraphrase it in your own words and answer the questions given to you.

Understanding these modes will help you increase your listening accuracy, reduce the opportunity for misunderstanding. and aid you in answering the given questions

IELTS Listening Task TEST OVERVIEW

There are four sections in the listening task. The first two sections of the test are concerned with social needs. The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts.

All the IELTS listening topics are of general interest and it does not matter what subjects you are planning to study or what work you intend to do. Also, it is the same listening task and score for both Academic and General Training.

A range of English accents and dialects are used in the recordings which reflects the international usage of IELTS

Category One

In the first section, there is a dialogue between two speakers. For example – a conversation about travel arrangements, dinner reservation, booking accommodation, or decisions on a night out.

Category Two

The second section is a monologue (a speech by one person). It will be set in an everyday social context. For example – a speech about student services on a University campus or arrangements for meals during a conference.

Category Three

Section three is a conversation between up to four people. For example – a conversation between a tutor and a student about an assignment or between three students studying a research project or a discussion among student about an argumentative topic

Category Four

The final part is another monologue. It is a lecture or talk of common academic interest such as a university lecture.

Below are types of questions that may appear on the test:

  1. multiple choice
  2. short-answer questions
  3. sentence completion
  4. notes/summary/diagram/flow chart/table completion
  5. labelling a diagram that has numbered parts
  6. classification
  7. matching

You will be provided with direction on the test paper on how to answer the questions, and they are clear and easy to follow. You will also be given examples of any foreign question types.

One mark is awarded for each of the 40 items in the test. Make sure you read each question at least twice to understand it.

It is a simple logic of Reading—–>Listening——>Answering

Remember not to get distracted when listening so you won’t miss any vital information.