IELTS Listening: diagram gap-fills

Sometimes you have to label a diagram in the listening test. For example, the diagram below comes from Cambridge IELTS book 7.

Many students miss the answers for this type of question because they get "lost" on the diagram. They don't know where to look.

There is one simple technique to avoid this problem: whenever you see a diagram, look for the question numbers. You will always hear the answers in the correct order, so your eyes should go to the first question number first, then move around the diagram following the numbers.

For the question above, your eyes should be looking at the bottom of the picture (question 11) when the recording starts, and your ears should be listening for "stop B".

Comments

[jaya gomase]

hi simon, i found ur blogs really very helpful doin ielts prep,im planning 2 appear 4 ielts exam in jan ,im wondering do u know is there anyone in belfast who helps with ielts , or could u help me with it , thanks
jaya

[Zahra]

Good point!Thank you very much.

[Simon]

Hi Jaya,

I'm afraid I don't know anyone in Belfast. I can't help you individually, but you can keep following the daily lessons here.

If you need some essays correcting, one of my colleagues can help with that. Click here for information:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/10/essay-correction.html

[Maya]

Hello Simon,

Can you do some more lessons like this,that will be of great help.Thanks!

[Simon]

I'll try!

[ki]

Hi, Simon, I often review your website,although i rarely post my comments.
I'm very weak at listening, especially predicting the content of passages , i hear, though, a lot of words.I mean i can't understand the story. I known i have to catch up linking words or introducing words but it's not enough for me to make corrects.
Can u help me and give me advice whether i should focus on words ?
Thanks in advance.

[Simon]

Hi ki,

You just need to keep trying and see what works for you. Maybe you shouldn't worry about listening for linking / introducing words - just try to understand the main idea and focus on the topic instead of the linking.

[Mary]

Hi Simon,
I found your website very useful. I'm planning to take the exam this coming 2nd week of January here in Eastbourne. I need someone that can help me check my essays and give advice. I have limited time to practice because I'm working full-time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Simon]

Hi Mary,

Follow the instructions on this page:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/10/essay-correction.html