🎧 IELTS Academic Listening
Listening — Complete Section Guide
4 sections · 40 questions · 30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time. Each section increases in difficulty. Know every question type, every trap, and every strategy before exam day.
•4 Sections
•40 Questions
•30 min listening
•10 min transfer
Key Rules for ALL Sections
✓Read ALL questions before the recording starts
✓Answers come in the same order as the questions
✓10 minutes at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet
✓Correct spelling is required — wrong spelling = wrong answer
✓Check the word limit: 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER'
✓If you miss an answer, move on — do not dwell on it
A conversation between TWO people in an everyday social context — typically a customer and a service provider. Common scenarios include booking accommodation, registering for a course, enquiring about a local service, reporting a lost item, or arranging an event.
Form CompletionNote CompletionTable CompletionShort Answer Questions
Common Topics
Hotel or accommodation bookingCourse or class registrationLost property enquiryLibrary or community service enquiryEvent planning or bookingTravel arrangementsMedical appointmentRental enquiry
🎯 Section Strategies
📋 Question Type Guides
🚫 Key Mistakes to Avoid
✕Do NOT write more words than the word limit allows — even if grammatically possible
✕Do NOT change the spelling of words that are spelled out by the speaker
✕Do NOT write the first number you hear if the speaker then corrects it
✕Do NOT skip a gap and hope to return — answers come in order and won't repeat
✕Do NOT write words you think should be there — only write what you actually hear
✕Do NOT confuse 13 with 30, 14 with 40 etc. — listen for the final syllable