IELTS Listening: my advice

Here is my list of advice and techniques for IELTS listening:

1. Concentrate - it's really easy to miss the answers if you lose concentration, even for a moment.
2. Read ahead - it's more important to be ready for the next section than to check the questions you have already done (check them at the end when you have 10 minutes to transfer your answers).
3. Highlight key words - when reading ahead, it's a good idea to underline words that you think you will need to listen for.
4. Have the next question in mind - when you're listening for the answer to a question, be ready for the next question as well. It's easy to miss several answers if all of your focus is on one question.
5. Expect 'tricks' - the speaker may try to confuse you - click here for an example.
6. Spelling - as well as testing your understanding and vocabulary, IELTS Listening is also a spelling test. You must work on your spelling if this is a weakness.
7. Difficult questions - don't worry if some questions seem really difficult. The exam needs to have questions that separate band 8 from band 9. If you are worrying too much, you might miss the easier questions that could get you a band 7.

Comments

[manoj]

dear simon,
in writing task 2 can we choose both agree and dis agree statement.?in order to support our answer ,or else should we allowed to choose one possibility of either agree or dis agree?please assist me.
thanking you in advance.

[Kofo]

Hi Simon, Thank you for your advise on the listening test.

[muna]

thank you too much ,this website is amazing .really useful.

[kambiz]

Hi Muna,

It's incorrect we use too in a positive feeling. "Thank you very much" not too much.
" too" gives a negative meaning.
Best regards

[kishore]

Dear Simon,
Hi my name is kishore.
I have my IELTS test on Feb 2nd (India) i am bit poor in writing & speaking.
i would like to take few suggestions from you before i face the examinations.

Thanks & Best Regards
kishore

[FARYAL]

if your test center is in london,,still EOR takes 8 weeks?is there anyone who found result earlier or everyone get it after a long time?

[ANERBAS]

My approach to listening test is as follows:
After following Simon’s guidelines, I listen to the dialogue or the presentation especially in part 3 or part 4 of the listening test without looking at the questions, until I have got some idea. Subsequently, I read the question related at glance and I try to find a linking statement or a linking word. If I am able to find the answer ,I go ahead without any delays. But if not , I keep on listening using the same strategy .
Explanation,
As human beings, It is nearly impossible to really concentrate on 2 things at once , it should be carried out consecutively.

[namita]

hi simon,
its difficult to solve multiple questions in listening how to solve and get all multiple correct please guide me ...

[Dr Haider]

Dear Simon ,thanks a lot for you precious guidelines .I have tried many methods ,but yours are the most perfect systematic aproach to overcome our fears.

[khoory]

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One of the problems facing the authorities in developed countries is how to fund pensioners as well as provide care, to ensue continuing health, and to accommodate those who are now living beyond the age at which they are still able to care for themselves. All of these factors mean that extra money is required from the taxpayer to feed the required increasingly substantial budgets to financing services for those who are ageing. For example, the UK has now to provide comprehensive level of support to pensioners for more than two decades beyond retirement. That the aged can all too easily become victims of fraud and violence or suffer the consequences of traffic accidents is another mounting concern. The elderly are vulnerable and can suffer from a wide range chronic and debilitating diseases such dementia and insomnia.

Financial questions could be answered by imposing extra taxation to provide funds for the anticipated growth in budgets needed to provide for An older population. There are a growing number of schemes to finance charitable work and enable them to raise the finance needed. This, for example, could be done by the elderly selling their homes, if they own one. Pensioners will no longer need their homes if they are to spend the remaining years of their lived in a care. But, at best, such money would provide only minor relief to the taxpaying citizen. Cautionary road signs are required in areas where pensioners live or to which they mitigate to spend their remaining years. Public transport must be improve in terms of access and safety if pensioners are to remain active members of society.

To conclude, it is absolutely essential to play a role in helping local authorities implement plans in this regard, as well as helping the elderly, including the increasing number of poor pensioner, to have some financial dignity in later life, as well as to support them emotionally and ensure that there is sufficient managerial expertise to cope with the difficulties associated with growing older. Those nations which undertake to provide a dignified old age for their citizens will benefit, at the very least, from an improved image for their country.

[Emy]

Hi Simon, I am wondering if I get a mark for the folowing question in the listening section. Tshirt instead of T-shirt.
thanks in advance

[Venkat]

Hi Simon,

In my recent exam, I wrote 'Byke' instead of 'Bike'. Is it acceptable?

Thanks.

[malihe]

Dear simon
thanks for your really good site.
I have a problem with listening part that is I do not have internet access in my home and also i do not have time to study at work, so i have to copy the contents into a word document and study at home except video files of listening.Can i have the listening video files?Is it possible for you to send me all video files.It would be really kind of you.

[Dan]

Dear Venkat. The answer is no.

[smad]

I got 8 in listening last time. My experience is that we should practice for concentration. Concentrate on the word that is being spoken. Forget about the part which is gone or will come. If you have heard every word clearly answering any question will not be difficult.
I also want to request someone who can help me in practicing english speaking.

[roni]

hiii smad can u plz guide me

[Masoud]

Dear Simon,
I'm not really fast enough to be able to read and understand all the questions in the time specified for reading ahead if that's what we need to do. Especially in multiple choice questions I can never make it to read all of them and recently I just try to read ahead the stem of questions not the responses. is it ok? Also in gap-filing questions I can read only like half or less of the passage. what should i do?