Strategies to crack IELTS Listening with 9 Bands

IELTS listening module is the easiest module in IELTS. The total duration of the IELTS listening test is 35to 40 minutes divides into two parts. Firstly, an audio is played for 25-30 minutes and the candidate has to answer the questions while listening to it. Later, 10 minutes are given to transfer the answers to the answer sheet. Before every set of questions, the candidate is given 30 seconds to read those particular questions.

Test format of IELTS LIstening 2022

As mentioned above, a listening test is of 35-40 minutes. A test is divided into 4 sections with 10 questions each, making it a total of 40 questions.

• Section 1 is usually a speech between 2 speakers.
• Section 2 is a monologue.
• Section 3 again is a conversation between 2-3 people.
• Section 4 is a monologue, which generally is a speech or a lecture. The speech of audio in this section is usually the fastest.

Types of Questions

1. Filling a form/questionnaire- These questions are generally a part of section 1. Here the questions are given as a form where questions like name, age, location and likes are asked.
2. Fill in the blanks: As its name suggests, these questions involve completion of sentence by filling the blanks.
3. Multiple Choice Questions(MCQ): In multiple choice questions, 3-4 options are given and the candidate needs to select the correct option. The candidate needs to read the instructions carefully as sometimes, more than one option is required to be selected.
4. Short answer questions: These questions need to be answered in maximum of 3 words but again instructions need to be read to confirm whether the answer is to be given in one, two or three words.
5. Matching information: In such questions, some questions are given and then certain options are given below to match the information with each other after listening to the audio.
6. Labelling a diagram: A diagram labelling involves a careful understanding and concentration in listening as it involves the labelling of a product or machinery by giving names to its different parts.
7. Table completion: This involves the completion of information given in a tabular form. Here the information needs to be noticed both horizontally as well as vertically.
8. Map labelling: A Map is a pictorial depiction of an area, a garden, a university and so on where a speaker describes the route and the other listens, here in the candidate needs to label all the areas and match it with the questions.

Important factors & Tips to consider during listening:

• Always read instructions and questions before attempting questions to make sure the answers are given in the format asked.
• The answers must be given in capital letters only to avoid losing scores due to answer being illegible.
• As the test progresses the speed of the audio increases, hence, a regular practice could help to improve understanding and getting accurate answer.
• Spellings need to be accurate as wrong spellings means answer wrong.
• There is no partial scoring in listening test.
• Similar attention needs to be considered with s/es in terms of numbers.
• Pay attention to keywords. Make sure to underline such words in the time given before listening to audio. This helps immensely in finding the correct answer.’
• While performing the multiple-choice questions, never read the options given, else, you would feel all the answers are being spoken. Pay attention to the connectives used in speech such as however, though and so on, these help to understand the contradictions.
• When attempting table completion, read and go through all the information given on the vertical as well as horizontal sides. This helps to locate and get accurate answer.
• To score high in IELTS, also practice listening different accents as IELTS covers different accents be it American, British, Australian, Spanish and so on. Hence, to be conversant with all, practice listening to variety of podcasts or documentaries. This would help improve understanding and also help to score higher specifically in Section 4 as its audio is generally a lecture or a speech.
• Practice spellings of general errors and often repeated words in listening such as days of week, months of year or commonly mistaken words such as accommodation, cheque, schedule, necessary and so on.
• While labelling a map, listen to the audio and move your pencil and move it along with instructions, label each place, irrespective of whether it is a part of question or not.

Following all these tips, would definitely lead to scoring high in IELTS listening. For further strategies, make sure to get enrolled with Humble Immigration and get guidance from expert and experienced trainers, trained form IDP and British Council, who can lead you to the ladder of success, fulfilling your dream of settling abroad.