A Comprehensive Guide
Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the Listening section? Or are you just starting out and you want to understand what it is about exactly? Don't worry; you're not alone! The IELTS Listening test can be challenging, but with the right strategies and a bit of practice, you can conquer it.
The Listening Test is made up of 4 sections.
Section 1 - dialogue
Section 2 - monologue
Section 3 - dialogue
Section 4 - monologue
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the IELTS Listening exam, explore its different sections and question types in detail, and provide you with valuable strategies to help you excel in this crucial part of the test.
IELTS Listening Exam Section 1: Conversations in Everyday Contexts
This section is the starting point of the IELTS Listening exam. It consists of a conversation between two speakers in an everyday social context, like booking a hotel room or discussing weekend plans. Section 1 aims to assess your ability to understand the main ideas, details, and specific information from everyday dialogues.
Question Types in Section 1
Multiple Choice: You will listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer from multiple options.
Matching: You'll need to match items or information from the conversation with a list of options.
Labeling Diagrams or Maps: Sometimes, you might be asked to label a diagram or map based on the information in the conversation.
Strategies for Section 1
Practice Informal Conversations:
Listen to casual conversations between native speakers in various situations. This will help you get used to different accents and speaking styles.
One really good resource that you can use is BBC Learning English on YouTube. They have several podcast boxsets that you can listening to improve your listening skills on various topics
Focus on Keywords:
During the listening, pay attention to keywords that indicate answers to the questions.
This is a really important strategy! Remember to highlight some keywords in the questions before you listen, as this will help you to find them - and the answers.
Skim the Questions:
Before the audio starts, quickly read through the questions to get an idea of what to listen for.
IELTS Listening Exam Section 2: Monologues in Everyday Contexts
In Section 2, you'll listen to a monologue, usually in a daily life situation like a tour guide explaining a historical site or a person giving a speech. The questions may involve completing notes, summaries, or sentences. This section assesses your ability to grasp the main ideas and specific details of spoken information.
Question Types in Section 2
Sentence Completion: You'll need to complete sentences based on the information you hear.
Notes or Summary Completion: This involves filling in gaps in notes or completing a summary.
Strategies for Section 2
Practice Note-taking:
Develop a system of shorthand notes to jot down key points as you listen. Another way that you can practice this is by watching YouTube videos in English, such as the TedEd videos.
It is important to learn how to listen and write down notes that the same time.
Listen for Clues:
Pay attention to transitional words and phrases that indicate important information. Also, be careful as some information may be repeated to misdirect or misguide you.
For example, the question may ask 'Is she a vegetarian?', and in the listening we would hear, 'Well, she isn't strictly a vegetarian because she sometimes eats meat'.
Just because they've mentioned the word 'vegetarian', it does not mean that it is the correct answer.
Focus on Pronunciation:
Be mindful of how words are pronounced, as this can affect your understanding.
IELTS Listening Exam Section 3: Conversations in Academic or Training Contexts
Section 3 presents you with a conversation between two or more people in an academic or training setting. Here, you'll need to extract key information, understand the speakers' opinions, and follow the development of ideas. Common question types include multiple choice, sentence completion, and labeling diagrams or plans.
Question Types in Section 3
Multiple Choice: You'll listen to an academic conversation and select the correct answer from multiple choices.
Sentence Completion: Fill in the missing words in sentences based on the conversation.
Labeling Diagrams or Plans: Similar to Section 1, you might need to label diagrams or plans.
Strategies for Section 3
Familiarize Yourself with Academic Topics:
Read articles, watch lectures, or listen to podcasts on academic subjects to become more comfortable with the vocabulary and context.
Identify Speaker Opinions:
Pay attention to cues that reveal the speakers' opinions or attitudes.
Practice Speed Listening:
Train your ears to catch important information even when speakers are talking at a fast pace.
IELTS Listening Exam Section 4: Academic Monologues
This section is the most challenging as it features a monologue on an academic topic. You will need to understand complex ideas, recognize speaker attitudes and opinions, and follow the development of arguments. Questions often involve matching information, multiple choice, and completing summaries.
Question Types in Section 4
Matching Information: Match information from the monologue to a list of options.
Multiple Choice: Select the correct answer from multiple options.
Completing Summaries: Fill in missing words in a summary of the monologue.
Strategies for Section 4
Build Academic Vocabulary:
Expand your academic vocabulary to understand complex terms and concepts.
Understand the Structure:
Recognize the structure of academic presentations, including introductions, main points, and conclusions.
Listen Actively:
Stay focused throughout the monologue, as it may be longer and more detailed than in previous sections.
To conclude,
Mastering the IELTS Listening exam is a journey that requires practice, patience, and the right strategies. By understanding the different sections, familiarizing yourself with question types, and implementing effective listening strategies, you can significantly improve your performance. Remember, practice regularly, stay calm during the test, and use your time wisely. With dedication, you can achieve the IELTS score you desire and open doors to new opportunities for your future. Good luck!