IELTS listening description

IELTS listening in detail

Paper format

IELTS listening contains 4 sections with 10 questions each. The questions are designed in such a format that the answers appear in the order they are heard in the audio.

The first two sections deal with situations set in everyday social context.

In section 1, the conversation happens between two speakers.

In section 2, there is a monologue.

The final 2 sections deal with situations set in the educational & training context.

In section 3, the conversation happens between two main speakers.

In section 4, there is a monologue based on an academic subject.

Timing

Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time)

Number of questions
40

Task types

A variety of question types are asked mainly: matching, multiple choice, map/plan/diagram labeling, sentence completion, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, fill in the blanks, one to 4 word answer questions.

Marks
Each question carries 1 mark.

Task type 1- Multiple choice

Task type and format
In multiple choice tasks, there is a question followed by three possible answers or the beginning of a sentence followed by three possible ways to complete a sentence. Test takers are required to choose one answer- A, B,C or D

Sometimes, the test takers are provided a longer list of possible answers and asked to choose more than one. In this case, they should read the questions carefully to check the answers required. Every correct choice carries 1 mark.

Task focus
Ability to find correct information from the available information.

Task type 2- Matching

Task type and format
Test takers are required to match a list of items from the text in audio to options given on the question paper. The set of options may be criteria of some kind.

Task focus
Matching assesses

Number of questions
Variable

Task type 3- Plan, Map, diagram labeling

Task type and format
Under this section, the test takers are required to complete labels on a map, plan, or a diagram. The answers are usually selected from a list given on the question paper.

Task focus
Ability to understand.

Number of questions
variable

Task type 4- Form, note, flow-chart, table, summary completion

Task type and format
Under this, test takers are required to fill in the gaps in an outline of part or of the complete listening text.
The outline focuses on the main ideas given in the text. It may be:

1. A set of notes

2. A form

3. A table

4. A flow-chart

Test takers have to select their answers from a list on the question paper or identify the missing words from the recording adhering to the word limit stated in the instructions. They don’t have to change the words from the recording under any circumstances.

Number of questions
variable

Task type 5- Sentence completion

Task type and format
Test takers are required to read a set of sentences summarising key information from the text in the audio. Then they fill the gap in each sentence using information from the listening text.

Test takers are required to maintain the word limit else they are penalised.

Task focus
The ability to identify the given information.

Number of questions
Variable

Task type 6- short answer questions

Task type and format
Test takers are required to read a question and then write a short answer using information from the listening text. They are also required to maintain word limit else they are penalised.

Task focus
The ability to listen for concrete facts such as places, times or prices within the listening text.

Number of questions
Variable

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Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+ 2 minutes review time )

Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your pronunciation, grammar, accuracy, fluency and lexical resources while speaking English. There are three (3) parts to this test, with each part fulfilling a specific function in terms of task input, interaction pattern and the test taker’s output.

Part 1: Introduction & Interview This part includes general questions about the test taker like residence, work,family, interests, etc.

Part 2: Long Run Cue cards are shared on a particular topic and one (1) minute will be given to prepare to speak for upto two (2) minutes on the topic.

Part 3: Discussion This part gives you the opportunity to discuss the topic from the cue card in further detail, in a more general and abstract way

Total time: 11-14 minutes

Reading

The IELTS Reading test is designed to test a wide range of reading skills including reading for skimming, details, gist, understanding arguments and writer’s opinions,attitude and purpose

IELTS Academic Reading – It includes three (3) reading passages (with a variety of questions) ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These passages are of general interest dealing with interesting and recognizably appropriate issues, with at least one passage containing a detailed logical argument

Note: The reading texts may contain non-verbal materials as well like graphs, diagrams or illustrations.

IELTS General Reading – It includes three (3) daily passages (with 2-3 short texts in the first passage, 2 texts in the second passage and 1 long text in the third passage), based on an English-speaking environment, from notices, newspapers, magazines or advertisements.

Reading passage 1: texts based on social survival, like advertisements, notices and timetables

Reading passage 2: texts based on workplace survival, like contracts, job descriptions, staff development & training material

Reading passage 3: texts based on general reading, involving more extended prose and a complex structure.

No. of questions: 40

Marks: each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 60 minutes (no additional transfer time)

Note: Please note that the question types in the Listening & Reading sections can include multiple choice answers, true or false answers, matching information/headings or sentence, table & flow-chart completion.

Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+10 minutes transfer time)