IELTS Listening Band Score, Practice Test, Tips and Pattern
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IELTS listening section comprises 4 parts. Each part in this section contains a recording. Candidates are required to listen to the recording and answer the questions that follow. IELTS listening analyses the ability of the candidates to-
- Main ideas and detailed factual information
- The opinions and attitudes of speakers
- The purpose of an utterance
- The ability to follow the development of ideas.
This assessment in IELTS is of 30 minutes. It has a total of 40 questions, with 10 questions in each part. An additional 10 minutes is given to writing down the answers in response sheets. The 4 sections are explained below:
| Section 1 | A Conversation between two people in an everyday situation. |
| Section 2 | Only one person speaks about a general everyday topic. |
| Section 3 | Two or three people have a conversation about a topic related to education and training. |
| Section 4 | One person only gives an academic lecture. |
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IELTS Listening Tips
Below are few of the IELTS Listening tips that can help candidates excel. Candidates can account for adaptation of these IELTS Listening tips to ensure scoring good bands in IELTS listening test.
- Read Question Carefully: Prior to playing the recording, candidates are given time to read questions. Thus, one should read the question carefully to get familiar with it. Since the recording is played once, getting familiar with the question is necessary.
- Keep Making Notes: Keep writing answers as you listen to the audio. You will be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers in the booklet. Re-check that you have transferred your answers correctly. Also check for spelling and grammatical errors. Remember to complete your answer sheet. An incomplete answer sheet might lead to bad scoring.
- Try to Work on Keywords: Remember the keywords mentioned in the question. Later on listen to the audio based on the keywords highlighted. Listening carefully to the audio would allow candidates to find the keywords relevant to the given choice of answers. This tip for multiple choice questions in IELTS Listening test would benefit candidates.
- Keep a Check on the Word Count: While you write your answers, remember the word count instructions given for each question. For example, if the instructions say “write no more than one word” and you write “the train” instead of “train”, your answer will be marked as incorrect.
- Recheck Your Answers: Always recheck your answers before transferring them to the answer booklet.
IELTS Listening Practice Test
The table below provides a number of IELTS Listening Practice Test that candidates can use as part of their preparation for the exam. Candidates can take the IELTS Listening Practice Test to assess their listening skill development for the exam and improve their proficiency in English language.
IELTS Listening Test Preparation
For a candidate whose native language is not English and who does not have listening skills, understanding the British accent might be difficult. However, candidates familiar with the English language and having skills in listening to understand English would find this section the easiest. Preparation materials will help candidates to undertake IELTS preparation. Following are the IELTS preparation strategies for candidates.
- Practice and develop grammar skills to avoid negative marking.
- Adapt to an IELTS study plan.
- Practice and develop spelling as incorrect spelling might lead to negative marking.
- Practice handwriting and write in capital letters.
- Work towards scoring a good band in the IELTS listening test.
- Check strategies to score IELTS 6.5 band.
IELTS Listening Band Score
The IELTS listening section is scored based on the number of correct answers provided by the candidates. The section comprises a total of 40 questions and answering all of them correctly can result in a band score of 9. Consistent practice with IELTS listening practice tests can improve candidates' chances of securing a good score. The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the IELTS listening score and band score. To score 8 bands in listening, candidates must answer 36 out of 40 questions correctly, which equates to an accuracy rate of 89%.
| Question | IELTS Listening Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4 |
IELTS Listening Marking Criteria
In the IELTS listening test, candidates receive one mark for each correct answer. The total number of credits awarded out of 40 is then converted into an IELTS band score. To achieve a higher band score, candidates must meet the marking criteria outlined in the table below, which highlights the assessment standards.
| Band Scores | Criteria for Marking |
|---|---|
| 0 | No accessible information provided. |
| 1 | Lack of ability to use the language. |
| 2 | Use of most basic information, using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Difficulty in understanding spoken English. |
| 3 | Understanding of general meaning in very familiar situations. Difficulty in communicating. |
| 4 | Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Frequent problems in understanding and expression. Lack of use of complex language. |
| 5 | Has partial command of the language. Understanding of overall meaning of situations. Ability to handle basic communication. |
| 6 | Presence of effective command of the language despite. Ability to use and understand fairly complex language. |
| 7 | Presence of operational command of the language. Ability to handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| 8 | Presence of fully operational command of the language. Ability to handle complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 9 | Presence of fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
IELTS Listening Sample Papers
Provided below are some samples of IELTS listening test. It contains answers along with appropriate explanations.
- Conversation Between Customer and Travel Agent About Booking Flight to Toronto IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Lecture About A Crater In Australia IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Job Hunting IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Jane and Sally discussing Janes preparations for Abroad tour - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Conversation between Two Students deciding on a Course - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Conversation between a Housing Officer and a Student-IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Turtles IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Central Cinema Lost Property Form Listening Answers
- A Lecture on the Great Barrier Reef IELTS Listening Answers
- A Lecture On Earth Sciences - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Monologue By Dr. Jespersen About Children’s Language Acquisition - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Monologue on Scholarship and Funding - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Conversation About Cell Phone Packages IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Telephone Conversation Between a Receptionist and a Student About the Upcoming Architecture Conference IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Monologue on the Social History of the East End of London IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Lecture About Customer Psychology - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- Monologue about Preventive Medicine - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
- A Telephone Conversation about House Facilities - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
IELTS Listening Exam Pattern
In the IELTS listening test, candidates listen to four different audio clips. Based on the audio clips, candidates answer a series of 40 questions in this assessment. Correct responses are awarded with good IELTS listening band scores. IELTS general listening score and IELTS academic listening are evaluated based on:
- 4 recordings in different accents and natives of English.
- These recordings are only played once.
- 10 or more relevant questions associated with each recording are presented.
- 30 minutes are allotted to the candidates to accomplish each task.
- 10 minutes are allotted to transfer the answer to their respective sheets.
- Computer-based test does not include 10 minutes extra time for transferring answers because they are already mentioned on the screen.
- 2 minutes extra time is allotted for candidates appearing in computer-based tests to review their answers.
Candidates in the IELTS academic listening test are assessed based on evidence of the candidate's ability to understand the ideas and detailed factual information. Moreover, the IELTS listening score is credited based on the opinions and attitudes of speakers. IELTS band scores is credited based on purpose of utterance and evidence of candidate’s ability to follow development of ideas.
Above mentioned IELTS listening test recordings are heard only once. These IELTS listening test recordings include accents from British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian. The questions types in this test include multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram/ labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary and sentence completion. Each question in the IELTS listening test carries 1 mark each.
IELTS Listening Question Types
Provided below are the question types in IELTS listening test:
| Task Type | Question Type | Question Description | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task Type 1 | Multiple choice | Candidates are required to choose from three possible answers (A, B and C) | Detailed understanding and overall understanding |
| Task Type 2 | Matching | Candidates are required to match a set of options with numbered list items. | Understanding of information, listening for detail, following conversation, recognition of relationships and understanding of facts. |
| Task Type 3 | Plan, map, diagram labeling | Candidates are required to complete labels on a plan, map or diagram. | Ability to understand. |
| Task Type 4 | Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion | Candidates are required to fill in the gaps in outline of all listening text in no more than one or two words. | Ability to acquire factual information. |
| Task Type 5 | Sentence completion | Candidates are required to summarize key information in more than one or two words. | Identifying key information, understanding of functional relationships. |
| Task Type 6 | Short-answer questions | Candidates are required to read a question and then write a short answer. | Ability to listen and summarize facts. |
IELTS Listening Topics
All the IELTS listening topics are of general interest. This assessment has four parts and each part has a different topic. Mentioned below are the topics that candidates might come across in this assessment:
| School Life | Conversation Between a Librarian and Students IELTS Listening Answers |
| Conversation Between a Student and a Salesman IELTS Listening Answers |
| Interview | A Radio Interview About a Lakeside Resort IELTS Listening Answer |
| A Radio Presenter Interviewing a Doctor IELTS Listening Answers |
| Application | A Monologue of an Immigration Officer explaining the Visa Application Process IELTS Listening Answers |
| Conversation About A Video Library Application Form IELTS Listening Answers |
| Tourism | Monologue About The Growth Of Tourism IELTS Listening Answers |
| A Monologue On Tourism IELTS Listening Answers |
| Asking a stranger or passer-by for directions | Directions on A Map IELTS Listening Answers |
| Self-Drive Tours in the USA IELTS Listening Answers |
| Renting a room (flat) | Holiday Rentals IELTS Listening Answers |
| Conversation between an Agent of House Services and Customer IELTS Listening Answers |
| Enrolling at the international students’ office | A Monologue On International Students And Employments In The Country IELTS Listening Answers |
| Asking information at a bank or post-office | A Conversation between a Man and a Customer Service Manager of a Bank IELTS Listening Answers |
| An Interview Conversation Between a Banker and a Customer IELTS Listening Answers |
| Attending holiday and leisure activities | Travel to Distant Mountains IELTS Listening Answers |
| Camber’s Theme Park IELTS Listening Answers |
| Listening to an introduction about a scenic spot by a tour guide | Tourist Attractions at Manham IELTS Listening Answers |
| Visiting The Sheepmarket Area IELTS Listening Answers |
IELTS Listening Test Materials
Candidates can develop their understanding based on IELTS pattern and syllabus by following several books. There are several websites that candidates can use to prepare for the IELTS listening test. The IELTS preparation websites are mentioned below:
- IELTS Buddy
- IELTS Mentor
- IELTS Test Preparation Course (Magoosh)
- Free IELTS Online Course (British Council)
Moreover, candidates can prepare from IELTS preparation apps. Below mentioned are some of the applications that students can account for in tier course of preparation for IELTS listening test: ‘
- IELTS Prep App
- English Radio IELTS/TOEFL
- IELTS Writing 2019
IELTS Listening Books
Below mentioned are some of the IELTS preparation books that candidates can undertake for IELTS listening test preparation:
- 15 Days’ Practice For IELTS Listening (Book + CD) – check PDF
- Official IELTS Practice Materials – Check PDF
- Barron's IELTS Superpack – Check PDF
Candidates can undertake preparation from above sources. This will help develop skills and concepts associated with IELTS listening test.
Frequently Asked IELTS Listening Questions
Below mentioned are some of the questions that have been rasised by candidates appearing for IELTS Listening:
Ques. How can I score 7.5 in IELTS listening?
Answer: In order to score a band of 7.5 in IELTS listening, candidates are required to score 7 or 7.5 in all the respective sections. Moreover, they are required to answer a toal of 34 correct questions out of 40.
Ques. What is the difference between raw scores and band scores?
Answer: The IELTS listening and IELTS reading are scored out of 40 and are further converted to band scores that range from 1 to 9. Each question carries ome mark and based on that band scores are provided that are based on raw scores.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.