This PPT contains information about the IELTS listening exam and some advice on how to pass it. It's intended for teachers and students alike. Check out www.ted-ielts.com for more free IELTS resources.

1. IELTS Listening
Important Information

2. Basic Facts About IELTS Listening
▫ The listening test is the same whether you do
Academic or General IELTS
▫ It is comprised of four parts
▫ It requires no specialist knowledge
▫ It is quite predictable in regards form and topic

3. Purpose
The purpose of the IELTS listening exam is to test your ability
to do the following:
▫ understand main ideas
▫ follow logical arguments
▫ find specific information (ie numbers, addresses)
▫ recognize opinions or attitudes

4. Timing
You will listen for about 30
minutes and then have 10
minutes to transfer your answers
to an answer sheet that looks like
this:
(The 30 minutes includes time
given before listening to check
the questions.)

5. Structure
There are 4 sections. Each section is more difficult than
the previous.
Section 1-2 are in a social setting
Section 3-4 are in an academic setting

6. Structure
Section 1 – a conversation between 2 people in an
everyday setting, like a phone call to a hotel
You will listen for information like phone numbers or other
basic details and possibly fill in notes like this:

7. Structure
Section 2 – this is a monologue (one person speaking) in
a general setting, usually giving information about
something like a service
A common question type here is filling in a table

8. Structure
Section 3 – this is a conversation in an academic context,
like students discussing an assignment. There will be 2-4
voices involved and you have to keep track of each
person’s attitude and ideas.

9. Structure
Section 4 – this is the most difficult section. It is a
monologue in an academic context, usually a lecture. You
will have to identify attitudes and opinions, as well as
gathering factual information.

10. Question Types
Some common questions

11. Multiple Choice
This could involve answering a question or finishing a
sentence. You may have to pick one answer or two
answers, so read the instructions carefully.
Example:-
▫ What is John going to do before the course starts?
▫ A. attend a class
▫ B. write a report
▫ C. read a book

12. Label a Map, Diagram, etc
Listen to the verbal description and relate the different
parts or areas to one another to fill in the gaps on a
picture like this:

13. Form, Table, Summary Completion
You will be presented with some information that is
missing some words. You listen and fill the blanks. Pay
close attention to the instructions:
WRITE NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER

14. Short Answers
Students often find these difficult because the answers
are not so obvious. You will be asked a question and you
will need to answer in a few words. Again, pay close
attention to the instructions for how many words you can
use.

15. “
Hints and Tips

16. How to Prepare for IELTS Listening
You will hear different accents, so try listening to a range
of English accents (English, Scottish, American,
Australian, etc) before the test.
Work on your time management skills by doing practice
tests in advance. This will also help you with predicting
material.

17. How to Prepare for IELTS Listening
Never leave a blank answer on your paper. Always take a
guess.
Think in terms of synonyms. Just like in IELTS reading,
you need to find words in the passage that have the same
meaning as those in the question.

18. How to Prepare for IELTS Listening
Sometimes finding the wrong answer can help you by
narrowing down your possibilities for the right one. For
example, if the answer is not C, then it must be A or B.
Listen to everything before choosing your answer. People
often change their mind in the passage, so don’t write
down the first thing you hear.

19. Finally
Pay attention to spelling and be careful transferring your
answers.
TURE is not the same as TRUE
TRUE is not the same as YES
Read the questions, answer carefully, and check for
mistakes.

20. Good Luck
Here are some more resources for helping you improve
your IELTS listening
10 IELTS Listening Tips
A Complete Guide to the IELTS Listening Exam
How to Teach IELTS Listening