IELTS Listening Practice Test

The IELTS Listening test consists of 4 parts and 40 questions. The questions are equally divided between all the parts. 

We have compiled sample questions for your reference, with one question set in each part. 

Here are some downloadable sample papers below for your practice. 

Recording 1 of the IELTS Listening test plays a conversation set in an everyday social context. This audio uses simple and familiar vocabulary you would have studied while starting your English learning process. 

You will hear a man enquiring about booking a hotel in the given audio. Listen to the audio and answer the given questions carefully. 

Questions 1-4

Question Type: Complete the Table

Explanation: 
 

The given recording plays a conversation between a customer and a hotel staff. According to the information given in the audio, the average taxi fare for a trip to the town has been increased from 12 pounds to 15 pounds. 
 

Explanation: 
 

According to the audio, one of the transportation facilities that has been available in the town is the public bus. The bus fare is 2 pounds. A five-minute walk down the road from Oak Tree Avenue is recommended. 
 

Explanation: 
 

Walking across the town is also recommended in the recording. While opting to walk, covering the locations might take some time. However, it does not cost anything, like other travel methods. In addition, there is a nice park on the way, which is popular among visitors to York. 
 

Explanation: 
 

According to the recording, those interested in taking a walk can choose to walk across the town. A popular park is on the way, which takes around 30 minutes to cover. 

Recording 2 of the IELTS Listening Test plays a monologue set in an everyday social context. The audio has more descriptive usages and is more specific than Part 1.

In the given audio, you will hear a woman explaining about the volunteering program at a company named Time Abroad. 

Listen to the audio and answer the given questions carefully. 

Questions 5-8

5. The company expanded in

1. 2000
2. 2007
3. 2014

Explanation:

The recording plays the details given by staff at Time Abroad on the company’s formation, vision, and objectives. According to the information given, the company was formed in 2000. However, it was in the year 2007 that the company got expanded, by joining another company called PT Travel. 

6. The number of permanent staff is

1. 75
2. 90
3. 150

Explanation:

The information given in the audio confirms that the number of full-time, permanent staff at Time Abroad is 150. All the staff are well-experienced in their fields and are mostly posted outside the country.

7. Most volunteers join the program

1. In Winter
2. In July
3. When it is best for them

Explanation:

According to the recording, the volunteering abroad program is highly flexible, suiting your time preferences. No permanent starting dates have been set, and the program runs throughout the year. Most people join when it is best for them. 
 

8. Time Abroad receives all its income from

1. Partner organisations
2. Volunteers
3. The government
    

Explanation:

The informant in the recording declares that Time Abroad has not been receiving funds from specific religious bodies, political parties, or development organisations. Neither does it receive any from the government. It has been running purely based on the funds received from the volunteers. 

Recording 3 of the IELTS Listening Test plays a conversation set in an educational or training context. The audio uses vocabulary that is related to academics. 
 

In the given recording, you will hear a woman enquiring more about a Media Studies course at a University.  
 

Listen to the audio and answer the given questions carefully.

Questions 9-10

Q. Which two things must Louise have to join the course?

1. A bachelor's degree
2. Work experience
3. Either a bachelor's degree or work experience
4. Research experience
5. A completed thesis
6. Motivation

Answers with Explanation for Questions 9-10

Explanation: 

The given conversation is between a student named Louise, who is applying for a Master’s Degree in Media Studies, and the head of the Media Studies course named Mark. According to the information given, the admission criteria include having a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a bachelor’s, the application can still be processed if you have enough work experience. 
 

Explanation: 

As per the audio, the most important criterion for joining a Master's Program in Media Studies is ample motivation. Unlike other criteria, it cannot be negotiated. 
 

Recording 4 of the IELTS Listening Test plays a monologue on an academic subject. It is the toughest audio of the IELTS Listening. However, the vocabulary remains basic and is more related to academics. 

The given recording plays a lecture on the history of the Indian Railway.
 

Listen to the audio and answer the given questions carefully. 
 

Questions 11-15

11. Indian Railways is owned and________by the government of India.
 

Explanation:

The given audio plays a lecture on the history of the Indian Railway. According to the information given, the Indian Railway has been owned and operated by the government of India. It is administered through the Ministry of Railways.
 

12. There are more than_______million people working for Indian Railways.
 

Explanation:

As per the lecture, the Indian Railway is the world’s ninth-largest commercial or utility employer. 1.4 million people are employed by the Indian Railway, working across the country.
 

13. The________of the railways from 1857 occurred under Robert Maitland Brereton.

Explanation:
 

According to the audio, it was during the mid-nineteenth century that the Indian Railway began expanding across the country. The expansion began in 1857, under the supervision of Robert Maitland Brereton, a British engineer.
 

14. The joining of the East Indian Railway with the Great Indian Peninsula Railway led to a network of ________ Kilometres.

Explanation:
 

According to the audio, the first long rail network was established between the East Indian Railway and the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The network was 6,400 kilometres long, and it connected Bombay and Calcutta. 
 

15. The route from Bombay to Calcutta, opened in 1870, was an_______for the book Around the World in 80 days.
 

Explanation:
 

According to the recording, the Bombay to Calcutta rail network was started in 1870 by joining the East Indian Railway with the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. It became a major rail network and inspired the renowned French writer Jules Verne to write his book Around the World in 80 Days.

IELTS Listening can only be perfected by practice! Preparing for the test is hard without listening to sample audio or familiarising yourself with various question types.

IELTS Listening can only be perfected by practice! Preparing for the test is hard without listening to sample audio or familiarising yourself with various question types.

Make your IELTS Listening Test preparation wholesome!
 

By utilising our IELTS Listening tips, you will be able to cultivate a healthy learning habit that will help you crack the IELTS and improve your language acquisition. 

IELTS Listening Tips for Preparation 

• Understand the Test Pattern: The IELTS Listening Test consists of four parts and 40 questions. The Listening Module has six different types of questions. Understanding the test pattern, question types, and objectives will help you attend the test more easily. 
• Listen to English Audio Clips: Listen to native English speakers and try to understand the content without the help of other resources like subtitles or captions. Attempt to communicate or conceptualise your ideas in English. 
• Communication is the Key: Conversing is the quickest way to ace your language. Try to communicate with your English-speaking friends to get familiar with the language usages and styles. Try to listen, speak, write, and even think in English. 
• Familiarise Yourself with Accents: Before attending the test, familiarise yourself with various accents. The Listening Test recordings are played in various accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian accents. Each accent has different variations in speech, cadence, and tonal inflexions. 
• Learn the pronunciation of the alphabet: Certain questions ask you to write down some words spelt out in the audio. In this case, you need to be well aware of the pronunciation of each alphabet. For example, the alphabet ‘W’ is pronounced as ‘double-U’).
• Practice with Precision: Cultivate the habit of attempting as many practice tests as possible. While taking mock tests, adhere to the given time duration. Do not listen to the audio more than once, and try to answer the questions within the given time frame.

IELTS Listening Tips Exam Day

• Follow the Instructions Carefully: Pay attention to the exam instructions. Before the recording begins, read all the instructions carefully. This will help you identify the answers easily. Omitting instructions while answering will waste your time and marks. 
• Stick to Word Limit: Note the word limits for each question set. If the instruction says, ‘Write NO MORE THAN TWO Words’, then adhere to the word limit. Exceeding the word limit will make your answers invalid. 
• Proper Time Navigation: Use your time appropriately. You will be given separate time to read your questions, listen to the audio, and answer them. Do not spend too much time on the same question. A lack of proper time management will lead you to miss enough time to answer all the questions. 
• Dealing with Difficult Questions: Answering all the questions is recommended since you won’t receive any negative markings for IELTS Listening. However, if you face trouble answering a question, skip it and move on to the next question. Don't waste your time on the same question and end up panicking. If you have time left in the end, pick them later.  
• Read the Questions Carefully: Read the questions before the recording begins. In addition, you will be given time to read your questions during the test. Read all the questions carefully, and mark the keywords for your reference. 
• Look for Keywords and their Synonyms: While listening to the audio, be attentive and look for keywords or synonyms from the question. For example, if the recording says, ‘She reaches on time’, it could be reflected in the question as ‘She is punctual’. 
• Do not Zone Out: Losing concentration while listening to something is common. Every detail in the IELTS Listening audio clip is important, so remain attentive throughout the test. Once you feel like losing your attention, try straightening your posture or stretching your arms. 
• Use Extra Transfer Time: If you are taking IELTS on paper, you will be given an extra 10 minutes to transfer your questions from the Listening booklet to the answer sheet. However, this is not available for IELTS on computer. 
• Seek Help If Needed: If you find any difficulty with the headphones or the audio is not properly audible, seek help from the examiner.