How IELTS Listening works

1. Read the questions before you listen, so you know what to listen for.

2. Listen for numbers, dates, and names, because questions often test these details.

3. Do not stop at the first word you hear, because speakers may change or correct information.

4. Write your answer quickly and keep listening to the next part.

5. If you miss an answer, stay calm and focus on the next question.

Exercise A — Booking a Family Room

A woman phones a hotel to book a family room for a holiday. Play the talk two times if you need to. Then answer.

1. The family will arrive on Friday ______ July.

Answer: 12. The caller says they will arrive on 'Friday 12 July', so the answer is 12.

2. The caller's family name is ______.

Answer: Bennett. The caller says her name is 'Sarah Bennett', so the answer is Bennett.

3. A family room with breakfast costs ______ pounds per night.

Answer: ninety. The receptionist says the room 'costs ninety pounds per night', so the answer is ninety.

4. Room ______ has a sea view and two large beds.

Answer: 214. The receptionist says 'room 214 has a sea view', so the answer is 214.

5. Check-in starts after ______ o'clock.

Answer: two. The receptionist says check-in starts after 'two o'clock', so the answer is two.

Two friends talk about which evening course to join at a community college. Play the talk two times if you need to. Then answer.

1. Why can Tom only attend a course on Thursday evenings?

A. He works late on other days B. He plays football on other days C. The college is closed on other days D. He travels to work on other days

Answer: A. Tom says he can only attend on Thursdays 'because I work late on other days', so the first option is correct.

2. What time does the Spanish course start?

A. At six o'clock B. At six thirty C. At seven o'clock D. At seven thirty

Answer: B. Tom says the Spanish course 'starts at six thirty', so the second option is correct.

3. How much does the Spanish course cost?

A. Eighty pounds B. Ninety-five pounds C. One hundred and twenty pounds D. Ten pounds

Answer: C. Mina says Spanish 'costs one hundred and twenty pounds', so the third option is correct.

4. Who teaches the painting course?

A. Mina B. Tom C. A Spanish teacher D. Mrs Ellis

Answer: D. Tom says the painting course is 'taught by Mrs Ellis', so the fourth option is correct.

5. Which course do the friends finally choose?

A. Painting B. Photography C. Spanish D. Computer skills

Answer: A. At the end Mina says 'Let us choose painting', so the first option is correct.

A guide talks to visitors about a historic lighthouse and its visiting times. Play the talk two times if you need to. Then answer.

1. The lighthouse was first lit in ______.

Answer: 1872. The guide says the lighthouse was 'first lit in 1872', so the answer is 1872.

2. Visitors can climb ______ steps to reach the top viewing platform.

Answer: 120. The guide says visitors can climb '120 steps', so the answer is 120.

3. The lighthouse opens to visitors at ______ o'clock every morning except Monday.

Answer: ten. The guide says it 'opens to visitors at ten o'clock', so the answer is ten.

4. Tickets cost ______ pounds for adults.

Answer: eight. The guide says tickets cost 'eight pounds for adults', so the answer is eight.

5. In winter, the lighthouse closes early at ______ o'clock.

Answer: three. The guide says in winter it 'closes early at three o'clock', so the answer is three.