IELTS Listening: how to use the breaks

On Saturday I said that my main piece of advice for the listening test is to use the breaks well. There are breaks between the four sections of the listening test, and there are breaks in the middle of sections 1, 2 and 3 (there is no break in the middle of section 4). You will hear instructions like this:

1. First you have some time to read questions 1 to 5.
2. That is the end of section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

1. 'Some time' means about 20 seconds, or up to 40 seconds before section 4. It's important to use this time to read the questions, make sure you understand them, and think about what kind of answer is needed (e.g. number, name, noun, verb, singular, plural).

2. Ignore this instruction - don't check a section that you have just finished. It's much more important to be ready for the next section. If you're not ready when the recording starts, you will find it very difficult to read the questions and listen to the answers at the same time. So use this time to read ahead.

Comments

[Sayeed Iqbal]

Very true sir, especially point # 2, we must read next section.

Great info. Thanks

[ibrahim]

ı think the most difficult one is to place more than one answer in the same sentence.

[DuongThi]

Good info, thank you

[mert]

hi simon

Have you heard www.effortlessenglishclub.com ?
i watched some interesting videos i find useful for listening and speaking.
can you give me your opinion about that website?

[Simon]

I haven't heard of it Mert, but I'll have a look.

[kevin]

Hi, Simon
Thank you for your kindly advice. Now It seems ok to make comments.

[Sandy]

Hi Simon

This is very useful advice. I think it might suitable for some particular questions, such as short-answer question, simple summary and table form...etc. Yet, in regard to multi choice question; it is really hard to use limited time reading extremely long questions with 3~4 options...especial in Section 3 and 4 (some vocabularies I even do not understand that...).

I have difficulties of Listing. I follow some teachers' advices: listening as much as you can ,and listening BBC 6 minutes English. But, I still cannot get good grade in the IELTS test.

Could you tell me how to improve listing and how to correct spelling problems?

[Jay]

same here Sandy

I did almost morethan 100 mock test of listening,

but still unable to get more than 6...

i feel shame on me

[kofo]

Thank you Mert fof the website-effortlessenglishclub , it is good and interesting.

[kofo]

To Jay and Sandy, keep on listening, practice it, if i may suggest, go to the website Simon told us- the RSA Animate, listen to talks given by different people. It will help you, because I too is having problem with my listening module, the website is helpful,so try it.I Wish you good luck.

[Najmeh]

hello simon
I have a question, the real Ielts exam is like which of the cambridge books???
i had good score in cambridge 7 and test 1 &2 cambridge8(30-32 for reading and listening) ....but today i practiced test 3 of book8,my score was baaaaadd(23)..now i'm stressful because my exam is on Saturday 8th of December(Canada). please help

[Fufy]

Hi Simon,
Unfortunately, my score is 6
R 6,5
W 6
S 6,5
L 5,5

I was very surprised especially the listening section because I got more points before. İf i apply to Enquire on results especially the listening section it can be changed, i heard that the part is controlled by computer.