One of the sections of the IELTS test is the listening test. In this test, candidates answer certain questions based on audio recordings. They have to answer 40 questions altogether and take 30 minutes to complete. Candidates will get an extra 10 minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
An examinee will hear 4 recordings, and the audio will be played only once; thus, giving full attention while hearing the audio is recommended. Examiners will use a range of accents in this test, namely, Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand and American.But before proceeding with the Cambridge listening test 4 answers, knowledge of the types and format of this test is essential.
Test Format of IELTS Listening Test
As mentioned above, this test consists of 4 audio recordings, and the questions will be based on these.
Recording 1: consists of a conversation between two people set in a social context.
Recording 2: will consist of a monologue set in an everyday context.
Recording 3: conversation between a maximum of four people in a training context or in an educational context.
Recording 4: will have a monologue based on an academic context.There will be 40 questions based on these recordings and will consist of 1 mark each. The first two parts will consist of a situation from a quotidian context, and the latter two parts will consist of broader conversation perspectives.
Types of Question in IELTS Listening Test
In the IELTS listening test, 6 common question types are – matching, graphic data, diagram-labelling, short answer question, sentence completion and multiple-choice questions. Candidates must note that every type has its own requirements, and they need to get comfortable with these types of questions. Following is a more detailed look on each question and their requirement.
Matching In this type of question, test takers have to match a numbered list with a set of options on the question paper. Matching questions assess the detailed listening skill of a candidate and their ability to understand daily conversations between two people.
Note, form, summary completion, flow-chart, table
Candidates have to fill gaps either in all of the listening text or in an outline of the text. These questions will be focused on the facts and main ideas in the text. Here, candidates have to find correct words from a list of words or fill words from the audio recording itself. This test focuses on how well a candidate records certain information in a particular situation.
Diagram-labelling, map, plan
Test takers are required to label a map, plan, or diagram. These answers are mainly selected from a list in the question paper. This task checks a candidate’s ability to understand a place and how well they can relate to a visual representation.
Short answer question Candidates have to write answers usually not exceeding 3 words or a number from the audio recording. It should be remembered that writing more than the instructed word or number will penalise a candidate. Additionally, examiners will not test contracted words, and hyphenated words will be treated as single words. This question mainly focuses on facts, place, times and other factors.
Sentence completion In this type of question, candidates have to answer no more than a word or a number and be given a sentence from the listening text or a part of it. Similar to the previous questions, candidates will be penalised for writing more than the instructed words in question. Sentence completion aims to identify a candidate’s ability to identify primary pointers within the audio.
Multiple Choice Question In this type, a question is given with three possible answers. Candidates have to choose the correct one. Sometimes, more than three options are given, and a candidate has to choose more than one option. Through multiple-choice questions, a wide range of abilities is tested. Primarily, it is meant to test specific points of the audio and parts of it.
Excel in IELTS with India’s Top Online Coaching
Leap has helped more than 1 Lakh students achieve 7+ IELTS band.
Key pointers of IELTS Listening Test
- This test contains 4 recordings.
- A total of 40 questions needed to be answered.
- Candidates will get 30 minutes to answer questions and 10 minutes to transfer these answers to the answer sheet.
- Test takers will hear recordings only once.
- A variety of accents will be used in these recordings.
- Questions will come from six basic types.
- Both academic and general test-takers will give the same listening test.
Excel in IELTS with India’s Top Online Coaching
Leap has helped more than 1 Lakh students achieve 7+ IELTS band.
Cambridge Listening Test 4 Answers and Questions
Candidates appearing for the IELTS exam must consider Cambridge listening test 4 answers and questions to get an insight into how questions are framed in the actual examination. Test takers are also advised to practice these listening tests to fetch a higher band score in the IELTS listening test.
Explore all countries
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many audio recordings will I hear during the IELTS listening test?
Ans: Candidates will hear 4 audio recordings during their IELTS listening test, and all questions will be based on these audio recordings.
2. What are the different types of accents that I will hear in the listening test?
3. How many marks do I need to score a band 8 IELTS?
Ans: To score a band 8 in IELTS, candidates have to answer at least 89% of the answers correctly, equivalent to 36 questions out of 40.
Have Questions? Get Guidance to reach your Dream University
Connect with India's finest counsellors and biggest study abroad community.
Get Guidance