Exam guidesIELTSListening

IELTS · Listening

IELTS Listening: the four parts

See how the listening section moves from everyday situations to study-related English.

Professor Scott Mendoza

Time
About 30 min
Questions
40
Parts
4

The format, explained

Parts 1 and 2 · everyday situations

First, a conversation; then, one main speaker. Listen for the information the question actually asks you to identify.

Parts 3 and 4 · education and study

A discussion is followed by an academic monologue. Keep track of who agrees, which idea changes and how the explanation develops.

What you may need to do

Tasks include choosing, matching, labelling and completing information. Check word limits before writing a completion answer.

Official format references

Where to start practising

  1. Read the question to predict the kind of answer: a name, a number, a place or an idea.
  2. During practice, mark where you lost the meaning. On a second listen, find the exact words that changed your answer.
  3. Review spelling and grammar as well as listening. Recognising a word and writing an acceptable answer are separate steps.

Common questions

Is the Listening test different for General Training?

No. Academic and General Training use the same Listening test.

Should I write down every word?

For practice, aim to catch the information you need instead of transcribing everything. Keep your attention on the next question if one answer gets away from you.

Official format references

Format facts are based on these official sources. Check the provider’s current instructions before booking. The study advice is Professor Scott’s independent guidance.

Format reviewed:

Put the English into practice

Read & practise

Short lessons for related English foundations. These are not official exam questions or complete test simulations.

How to agree partly and explain your concern

Name the point you accept, then explain the part you see differently.

Read & practise

Comparatives with than: compare two options

Use faster than or more expensive than to explain one clear difference between two choices.

Read & practise

Join sentences with and, but and so

Choose a connector and use a comma between complete clauses.

Read & practise

Keep exploring

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