IELTS Listening Test

The IELTS Listening Test is the same for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test. A total of 40 questions based on 4 recordings will be put to the candidates.

A set of 4 recordings from native speakers will be played. The candidate has to answer 10 questions about each recording that will be a mix of conversations and speeches. Each recording will be played only once.


The theme and narrative identification of the spoken content.


  1. Gauge the perspective and stance of the speaker on the topic.
  2. The validity and purpose of the spoken content.
  3. The ability to follow the evolution of the dialogue or conversation as it progresses.


The types of Recordings


Recording 1: The first recording will be of a casual conversation between two people mimicking the routine everyday setup. For example, two people talking about the weather.


Recording 2: The second recording will be a monologue by a native speaker. For example, a speech about the local municipality.


Recording 3: This will be a discussion between 2 to 4 people set in an institutional or instructional context. For example, A student and teacher discussing a new book.


Recording 4: The final recording will be an academic or intellectual speech or monologue. For example, a paper presentation by a researcher.


Types of questions

A total of six different types of questions will be asked in the listening test based on the four recordings described above. A brief description of the categories of questions is given below:

  1. Multiple Choice Questions: The candidate will have to choose one or more than one correct answer for each question. Each question will contain specific instructions about the choice or choices.
  2. Matching: The candidate will be required to correctly match a set of items mentioned in the recordings to a set of options in the question paper. These questions test your ability to retain and contextualise information.
  3. Plan, map, diagram labelling: The candidate will be tested on their ability to understand spatial information in English by labelling plans, diagrams and maps. The maps and diagrams will be provided in the question paper. Examples include buildings, streets and objects.
  4. Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion: This variant of questions is very similar to the "Fill in the Gaps" test that we are used to. Candidates are required to fill in missing words in the formats like forms, notes, tables, flow charts or summaries relating to the recordings. The candidates will have fill in the exact words from the recordings.
  5. Sentence completion: A set of incomplete sentences from a section of the recording will need to be completed by the candidate. Strict adherence to the word limit is required and failure to comply will result in invalidation of the answers.
  6. Short-answer questions: These questions need short descriptive answers. They are designed to test the comprehension abilities of the candidates. Once again, the word limit must be strictly complied with.