A Begginer's Introduction To IELTS Listening Test

Welcome to your IELTS Listening Journey!

Welcome to your journey through the IELTS Listening Test! If you're feeling anxious or just curious about what lies ahead, you're in the right place. This guide is designed to be your friendly companion, shedding light on each part of the test in a way that's easy to understand and apply.

So, take a deep breath, and let's dive into the world of IELTS Listening together – your success is our goal!

The Goal Of The Listening Test

The listening exam aims to check how well you understand spoken English in different situations. It is an important part of the IELTS exam, helping to show if you are ready to use English at work or in school in an English-speaking country. This test looks at how well you can understand main ideas and specific details when listening to English. It also tests how well you can understand different English accents and ways of speaking. The test is like real life, helping you get ready for talking and listening in English every day.

The IELTS Listening Test Format

The IELTS Listening module is structured into four parts, each unique in its approach, and in total, it lasts about 40 minutes. The first 30 minutes are for listening to the recordings, and you are given an additional 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

- Time: The test takes around 40 minutes in total. You need to listen to an audio recording carefully and answer the given questions.

- Headphones: Depending on the test center, you may be given headphones to listen to the recordings.

- Number of Questions: There are a total of 40 questions, spread across the four parts (10 questions per part each). You get time to read the questions before the audio plays.

- Answer Transfer Time: After listening for 30 minutes, you get 10 extra minutes at the end of the test to transfer your answers from the question paper to the answer sheet. Note that this is only applicable to the paper-based test.

This format is designed to assess your ability to understand English through different types of listening challenges. It's important to manage your time well and ensure that you pay close attention to the recordings, as they are played only once.

Please note that there is no difference between IELTS academic and general training listening test.

Now let's have a more detailed look at the four sections.

Part 1

In Part one of the test, you will hear a conversation between two people in a common everyday setting. This might involve situations like booking a hotel, inquiring about a service, looking for an accommodation, or planning an event. The conversation is designed to be straightforward (but may have distractors ) and tests your ability to understand English in everyday contexts.

- Setting: Everyday social situations.

- Speakers: Two people engaged in a casual conversation.

- Focus: The ability to pick out key details from a regular conversation.

Thus, section 1 of the test is a good starting point as it involves basic listening skills. The language used is generally simple and clear. It’s essential to listen carefully for specific information, such as dates, names, places, and times.

Part 2

Section 2 of the test introduces a slightly different challenge. In this section, you will listen to a single speaker giving information about a general topic. This could be a talk about a public event, a brief introduction to a facility like a museum or a gym, or a description of a place, such as a holiday resort.

- Setting: A monologue about a general subject.

- Speaker: One person providing detailed information.

- Focus: Understanding a descriptive talk on a specific topic.

The key in this part is to grasp the main ideas and pertinent details of the talk. This could include understanding descriptions, processes, or instructions given by the speaker. Unlike Part 1, which focuses on conversational English, Part 2 requires you to follow a more structured and detailed monologue. It's important to stay focused and note down any key points, especially facts and figures, as they are often the subject of questions.

Part 3

This section of the listening takes you into an educational or training context. In this section, you will hear a conversation involving up to four people. The discussion is typically set in a university or professional environment, like a tutor meeting with students, students discussing a project, or colleagues discussing work-related topics.

- Setting: Academic or professional group discussion.

- Speakers: Up to four individuals in a conversational setting.

- Focus: Understanding interaction in an educational or work-related context.

This part tests your ability to understand group discussions and complex interactions. The speakers may express different opinions or discuss various aspects of a topic, making it important to recognize not just the facts but also the speakers' perspectives and attitudes. Pay attention to how ideas are expressed and how the conversation develops, as this can help you identify key points and understand the overall context of the discussion.

Part 4

Part 4 is the final section of the test, presenting a more academic challenge. In this part, you will listen to a monologue, typically a lecture or a speech, on an academic subject. Unlike the previous parts, this section focuses on a more formal and structured presentation of information.

• Setting: Academic lecture or speech.

• Speaker: One person delivering a formal talk.

• Focus: Understanding complex information and concepts in an academic context.

This part requires a higher level of concentration and the ability to follow a detailed and sometimes complex argument or explanation. The language used here is more formal and may include specialized vocabulary related to the subject matter. It's crucial to understand the main ideas, details, and the speaker's point of view or argument. Note-taking can be particularly useful in this section to keep track of key points and follow the flow of the lecture.

Notice that part 1 and 2 of the listening test is in a general context, while part 3 and 4 is in a more formal/academic context.

IELTS Academic and General Marking Criteria (Band Score Calculation)

The marking criteria for the test are straightforward and are based on the number of correct answers you provide. As is common in the IELTS test, this score is then converted into a band score, which is your final score for the listening section.

• Scoring: Each correct answer earns you one point. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so it's worth attempting every question.

• Score: Your total score out of 40 is then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. This conversion is standardized to ensure consistency across different test versions.

• Accuracy: As well as spelling, It's important to pay attention to the question requirements, such as word limit, as answering the questions without adhering to these can result in a wrong answer even if the information is correct. If handwriting is an issue, you are allowed to write in capital letters.

RAW SCORE	SCORE
39- 40	9
37- 38	8.5
35- 36	8
32- 34	7.5
30- 31	7
26- 29	6.5
23- 25	6
18- 22	5.5
16- 17	5
13- 15	4.5
11- 12	4

The Question Types

The test comprises various types of questions to assess different listening skills needed. Understanding these question types can help you prepare more effectively for the test.

1. Multiple Choice Questions: You'll choose the possible answers from a list of options. This tests your ability to understand certain information and main ideas. This is the question types many students find the most difficult.

2. Matching: This involves matching a list of items from the listening text to a set of options on the question paper. It tests your ability to understand relationships and connections between facts.

3. Plan, Map, Diagram Labelling: You'll need to complete labels on a plan (e.g., a building), map (e.g., a part of town), or label a diagram (e.g., a piece of equipment). This assesses your ability to understand spatial descriptions and signposts in the listening text.

4. Form, Note, Table, Flow-chart, Summary Completion: These questions require you to fill in the gaps in an outline or table. It tests your ability to pick out key details and main ideas.

5. Sentence Completion: You will complete sentences in a way that accurately reflects what you heard. This checks your ability to understand specific information and the ability to follow the development of ideas.

6. Short-answer Questions: You provide answers to questions, often about factual information, in a few words. This type of question assesses your ability to listen for concrete facts, such as places, prices, or times.

Each type of question requires specific listening strategies. Familiarizing yourself with these formats and practicing them will greatly enhance your ability to perform well in the test.

Introduction To IELTS Listening - Done!

I hope this article has succeeded in giving you an overview of the IELTS Listening test and also given you a head start for your IELTS listening practice. Good luck, and remember that every bit of preparation brings you one step closer to achieving your desired IELTS score!