IELTS Listening — Crash Course
40 questions, 4 sections — own them all with the right strategy
Each section increases in difficulty. Knowing what to expect stops you from being caught off-guard. The audio plays once — you must read ahead while listening.
The 4 Listening Sections
Section 1 — Everyday Dialogue
2 speakers in a social/transactional setting. Topics: booking, enquiries, registrations. Questions: form filling, short answers. Strategy: Predict what info type is needed (name, number, date). EASIEST.
Section 2 — Public Monologue
1 speaker giving a talk (tour guide, radio broadcast, announcement). Topics: local facilities, events, instructions. Questions: MCQ, maps, matching. Strategy: Listen for signpost phrases like 'Moving on to…'
Section 3 — Academic Discussion
2–4 speakers (students/tutors) discussing academic work. Topics: assignments, projects, research. Questions: MCQ, matching. Strategy: Watch for changed answers — speakers often correct themselves. TRICKY.
Section 4 — Academic Lecture
1 speaker giving a formal lecture. Topics: science, history, social science. Questions: notes/summary completion. Strategy: Follow the topic flow; answers come in order. HARDEST.