Here are 2 tricky questions that often cause problems in the IELTS listening test:
1. The speaker says: "nearly everyone liked the conference".
Which answer is correct?
A) Everyone like the conference
B) Most people liked the conference
The correct answer is B, but many students put A because they hear the word "everyone".
2. The speaker says: "early afternoon".
If there is a gap-fill question, you must write "early afternoon". If you write "afternoon", your answer will be marked wrong.
Hi Simon!
I have just passed IELTS exam. Academic module.
My score: S 8.0 W 7.5 R 7.0 L 6.0
I got that result for listening as I got the jitters during describing a map!
How could I overcome this problem?
Thank you,
Maria
Posted by: Maria | Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 12:36
I guess the only way to answer those tricky listening and reading questions is to become super familiar with the English language as a whole.
But how to accomplish that? Well, I'd say that there are no shortcuts and students MUST read more and listen more ON A REGULAR BASIS!!!
Posted by: Martin | Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 17:17
Hi Mr.Simon!
Please add more and different model answers for tables.
Thanks!!!
Posted by: Bekhzod | Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 19:56
thank you Simon.
Posted by: Sunil | Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 02:42
Hello Simon Sir,
I m practicing a lot in listening section but,I m unable to correct more than 27 out of 40.what to do for improvement??? pliz suggest ....
thank u.
Posted by: Seema | Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 12:38
Hi Maria and Seema,
Maybe you've reached a point where exam techniques can't help you to improve any more. It's your overall knowledge of English that is limiting you now. If that's the case, I have to agree with Martin's answer (see his comment above) - do lots of reading and listening practice to improve your familiarity with the language.
Thanks Martin!
Posted by: Simon | Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 12:09
Thank you
Simon & Martin
Posted by: Seema | Friday, June 15, 2012 at 06:32
Hello Simon,
I learnt so much from you website, and I am still learning everyday.
I have a question related to Listening/Reading Test.
On the testing paper, it asked， “How often do the Top Bus Company tours run?"
According to the audio, the answer should be : every 30 minutes / Every 30 minutes. I am not sure whether the letter E as in word "every" need to be capitalized or not? I have read the post that says upper case or small case doesn't matter in listening in the exam, I just want to make sure this goes the same for fragment and sentence ( ONLY IN LISTENING/READINGS TESTS). Even thou I learnt that the first letter doesn't need to be in cap in a fragment, while in a sentence it does.
Thank you
Best regards
Sharity
Posted by: Sharity | Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 16:42
Hi Sharity,
Capitals don't matter in any reading or listening questions.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, June 18, 2012 at 14:57
Hi Simon
Thanks for this post. Yes, the correct answer is letter B. Because the sentence talks about most people and not everyone. Goodluck to all who will take the exam.
Posted by: TheIELTSSolution.com | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:57
The speaker says, we are going to see castle and exhibition on french culture on sunday and tomorrow we will visit the market and garden. oh no, sundy is a holiday. so we will go to see castle and exhibition on monday and the following day we will visit the market and garden.
question- When they will visit the castle?
ANSWER- On Monday
I think there is alsoa trap in this question.
Posted by: Ziaul huda | Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 19:06
Yes, that's a typical trap!
Posted by: Simon | Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 12:54
hellow simon
i been reading your site from a week .. i have taken my test on 3rd of december
i get
L 6
W 6.5
S 6.5
R 7
but i need 7 in each module . i did not how to cope with it .. it is driving me crazy :(
Posted by: zoya | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 23:34