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IELTS Listening · 2026

One play, four recordings, 40 questions.

The Listening test is identical for Academic and General Training: four recordings of increasing difficulty, played ONCE only. On the computer-delivered test you get 2 minutes at the end to review; on paper, 10 minutes to transfer answers. Spelling and grammar must be correct to earn the mark, and answers within a type follow the order of the audio.

Time
~30 min + review
Questions
40 (4 sections × 10)
Audio
Played once only
Guide
≈30/40 ≈ Band 7

How to push your Listening band up

  • Read and predict during the pause before each section — decide the answer TYPE (number, name, place) for each gap.
  • Answers come in order; if you miss one, abandon it and lock onto the next so you don't lose two.
  • Obey the word limit ('NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS') — one word over scores zero.
  • Always practise with a SINGLE listen — replaying trains a habit the real test won't allow.

Question types

Form / Note / Table / Flow-chart completion

Fill gaps in a form, notes, table or flow-chart with words or numbers said in the audio. Answers are spoken verbatim (not paraphrased).

How to answer

  1. 1Read the headings to grasp the context (booking, registration, enquiry).
  2. 2Predict each gap: name, number, date, or a noun? Note the expected type.
  3. 3Write exactly what you hear; fix spelling and singular/plural at once.

Do

  • Check the word limit and count your words.
  • Write numbers as digits to save time.
  • Spell names from the spelling given aloud.

Don't

  • Don't add words not needed to fill the gap.
  • Don't leave a blank — guess the right type.
  • Don't fall for self-corrections ('sorry, 15 not 50').

Worked example

"…so the deposit is normally £50, but for students it's reduced to £35. And can I take a contact number? It's 07-double 7-1, 3-0-9-4-2."

Deposit (student): £ ______ · Phone: ______

Answer

£35 · 07771 30942

  • The speaker corrects £50 → £35 for students, so the final value (35) is the answer.
  • 'double 7' means 77; write the digits exactly as dictated.

Speakers often 'correct' a number or spelling — write the FINAL value they settle on.

Multiple choice

Choose one (or sometimes more) correct option from A/B/C. The correct option is paraphrased; wrong options often echo words you hear.

How to answer

  1. 1Read the stem and options first; underline what makes each option different.
  2. 2Listen for the meaning, not matching words — traps repeat exact words.
  3. 3Eliminate options as the speaker rules them out; decide only when the point is complete.

Do

  • Track every option — each is usually mentioned to distract.
  • Wait for the full idea before choosing.

Don't

  • Don't pick an option just because you heard its words.
  • Don't commit to the first thing you hear.

Worked example

"I was going to do the morning tour, but it was fully booked, so I've ended up on the afternoon one — which is actually better for photos."

Which tour did the speaker book? A) morning B) afternoon C) evening

Answer

B — afternoon

  • 'morning' is heard but rejected ('fully booked') — a classic distractor.
  • The answer is signalled by 'I've ended up on the afternoon one'.

Matching

Match a list of items (people, places) to a set of options (opinions, features). Options can repeat or go unused.

How to answer

  1. 1Read both lists; note synonyms next to each option.
  2. 2Follow the question order — it tracks the audio.
  3. 3Listen for who says or does what, not just a keyword.

Do

  • Keep your eyes on the current question.
  • Expect options to repeat or not be used.

Don't

  • Don't assume each option is used exactly once.

Worked example

"Tom found the museum a bit dull, honestly. Priya loved it — she said the exhibits were fascinating."

Match each person to their opinion. Tom: ___ Priya: ___ (A fascinating B boring C too expensive)

Answer

Tom → B (boring), Priya → A (fascinating)

  • 'a bit dull' paraphrases 'boring'; 'fascinating' is a direct match — listen for the opinion attached to each name.

Plan / Map / Diagram labelling

Label a map, plan or diagram using a box of options or words from the audio. Tests directional and location language.

How to answer

  1. 1Orient first: find the entrance, 'you are here', North and any labelled anchor.
  2. 2Track direction words: opposite, next to, at the end of, turn left, adjacent.
  3. 3Move along the speaker's route rather than jumping around.

Do

  • Mark the start point and follow step by step.
  • Learn prepositions of place cold.

Don't

  • Don't lose your place — if you do, jump to the next clearly-named landmark.

Worked example

"From the entrance, go straight ahead. The library is the first building on your right, and the café is directly opposite it."

Label the café (A–E on the plan).

Answer

The building opposite the library (i.e. first on the LEFT from the entrance).

  • 'directly opposite' the library, which is 'first on your right' → the café is first on the left. Anchor to the named building, then apply the direction.

Sentence & summary completion

Complete sentences or a summary with words from the recording, within a word limit. Grammar must fit the gap.

How to answer

  1. 1Read first for gist and to predict each answer.
  2. 2Check the words around the gap to know the part of speech required.
  3. 3Answers are usually in audio order.

Do

  • Make the completed sentence grammatical.
  • Respect the word limit.

Don't

  • Don't change the form of the word you hear unless grammar demands it.

Worked example

"The main problem the researchers faced was a lack of funding, which delayed the project by two years."

The project was delayed by a lack of ______.

Answer

funding

  • The gap needs a noun; 'a lack of funding' is stated directly. 'money' would be a paraphrase and risks being marked wrong — use the word heard.

References & further reading

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