mcginniss matt cudmore matt ielts listening strategies for s

Listening Question Types You can expect the following question types on all four sections of the listening test more information on this in Strategy # 2... tour guide gives information S

IELTS Listening Strategies for

Success IELTS Series, Volume 2 Matt McGinniss and Matt Cudmore

Published by Englishtec, 2021.

IELTS Listening Strategies for Success

-Academic & General by Matt McGinniss & Matt Cudmore Published by Englishtec Pty Ltd

All rights reserved No part of this book may be

reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a

database or retrieval system without written consent fromthe authors Copying any part of this book for any purposeother than your own personal use is a violation of

International Copyright Laws

Any unauthorised reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

Disclaimer The authors and publishers of this book shall in no event be held liable for any loss or

damages that may occur due to information

contained in this book.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Introduction

Strategy # 1 - Know the Structure of the Listening Test

Strategy # 2 - Question Types, Tasks and Instructions

Strategy # 3 - Know Who is Talking in Each Section

Strategy # 4 - Become Familiar with the Spoken InstructionsStrategy # 5 - Look for Clues Like a Police Detective

Strategy # 6 - Get Clues from the Questions

Strategy # 7 - Ask Yourself Questions about the ListeningStrategy # 8 - Underline Keywords in the Questions

Strategy # 9 - Listen for Clues in the Introduction to EachSection

Strategy # 10 - Listen for Specific Details

Strategy # 11 - Practice Numbers, Names and Letters

Strategy # 12 - Listen for Information Changes

Strategy # 13 - Listen for Synonyms

Strategy # 14 - Eliminate Incorrect Answers in Choice Questions

Multiple-Strategy # 15 - Preview and Predict Gap-Fill Questions

Strategy # 16 - Check Meaning and Grammar in SentenceCompletion

Strategy # 17 - Learn Common Spelling Rules

Strategy # 18 - Practice Methods to Improve Spelling

Strategy # 19 - Know When to Use Capital Letters

Strategy # 20 - Stay with the Speaker

Strategy # 21 - Forget the Missed Question

Strategy # 22 - Know the Instructions Types

Strategy # 23 - Make Intelligent Guesses

Strategy # 24 - Use your 10 Minutes Transfer Time

Effectively

Strategy # 25 - Practice Your Listening Skills

Further Reading: IELTS Speaking Strategies for Success

Welcome to IELTS Listening Strategies for Success –

Academic & General

It’s great that you have taken a positive step towards

success in IELTS by using this book

Our goal is to help you get the IELTS score you need Wegenuinely believe you can do it by following our strategiesand language structures

We start with the first strategy that involves understandingthe exact structure of the listening test for both the

computer-based test and the paper-based test

The book then moves through a series of strategies that willprepare you for the questions you will hear on the listeningtest and build your confidence for test day

Are you ready to build your IELTS listening strategies? Let’sget started!

Strategy # 1 - Know the

Structure of the Listening Test

The listening test is in four sections, with the first section

being the easiest and the fourth part being the most

difficult The test is the same for both Academic and

General versions of the test

Each section lasts for about eight minutes and includes

ten questions The total amount of listening time for the

test lasts for about thirty minutes.

computer-so the total time will be 30 minutes.

Paper-Based Test After the thirty minutes of

listening, you have an extra ten minutes for transfer time During this extra time, all forty answers must

be transferred onto the final paper answer sheet Listening Question Types You can expect the

following question types on all four sections of the listening test (more information on this in Strategy # 2).

Listening for context

Listening for details

Understanding opinions

Spelling

Listening Test Section 1

Format: Giver of information & receiver of information (eg.

buyer & seller) Speakers: 2

Questions: 10

Section Break: 1 break

Listening Test Section 2

Format: Information talk – general topic (eg tour guide

gives information) Speakers: 1

Questions: 10

Section Break: 1 break

Listening Test Section 3

Format: Giver of information & receiver of information (eg.

buyer & seller) Speakers: 2 - 4

Questions: 10

Section Break: 1 break

Listening Test Section 4

Format: Information talk – general topic (eg tour guide

gives information) Speakers: 1

Questions: 10

Section Break: No breaks The best way to get to know the

structure of the IELTS test is to complete as many practicetests as you can before your test date When you know thestructure of the test you can fully concentrate on the

English skills, rather than having to wonder what will

happen next

Strategy # 2 - Question Types,

Tasks and Instructions

The best thing about the IELTS listening exam is that you

will always have the same question types This makes the test predictable.

Before the test, make sure you know what the question

types look like, what the instructions will be for that

question type and what you will be expected to do for

each question type

You will receive the following types of questions, tasks andinstructions on the test

Multiple Choice

Task: Read the question and pick the best answer from the

3/4/5 choices based on what you hear on the recording

Instructions: Choose the best answer A, B, C or D.

Selecting Pictures

Task: Choose a picture that best describes what you hear Instructions: Choose the correct letter.

Short Answer Questions

Task: Answer using 1, 2 or 3 words.

Instructions: Complete the table/notes Use NO MORE

THAN 3 WORDS for each answer

Sentence Completion

Task: Make the sentence complete by adding information.

Instructions: Complete the sentences Use NO MORE THAN

3 WORDS for each answer

Form Completion

Task: Complete the blank fields of the form.

Instructions: Complete the form Use NO MORE THAN 3

WORDS for each answer

Chart / Table Completion Task: Complete the blank fields of the chart or table.

Instructions: Complete the table/notes Use NO MORE

THAN 3 WORDS for each answer

Gap-Fill

Task: Choose words to fill the gaps from the information

provided in a list or the information that you hear

Instructions: Complete the notes Use NO MORE THAN 3

WORDS for each answer

Labelling Diagrams

Task: Write a description using 1, 2 or 3 words to describe a

diagram using the information that you hear

Instructions: Complete the diagram / label the diagram.

Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer Bonus Tip!

You should be so prepared before you take the test that you are not surprised by any of the tasks you need to do,

or the instructions that you hear This is the preparation youneed to do before the test to be successful

Strategy # 3 - Know Who is Talking in Each Section

The speakers you will hear in the listening test are as

follows:

Section 1

A conversation between two people This may about

buying or selling a product or service, completing an

application form, making a booking or finding out

information about an upcoming event

Section 2

A talk by one person about a general topic This may

include a radio program that talks about an issue, or a tourguide giving information about a new tour It may be about

an interesting new product or service which is innovative

Section 3

A conversation between students or university

professors, in which they discuss an academic situation

such as an assignment task or research paper There isalways academic information involved in this section

Section 4

A lecture given by one speaker who has a great deal of

knowledge about a topic Most of the time this involves aprofessor at a university or some other higher educationinstitution talking about an academic topic such as biology,history or economics

Remember!

The listening section is the same for both Academic IELTS

and General IELTS This means that even if you take theGeneral IELTS test, you will still need to be ready to listen toacademic type of information in sections 3 and 4 of the

listening test

Strategy # 4 - Become Familiar with the Spoken Instructions

At the start of the listening test, you will always hear

some opening instructions, as follows:

“You will hear a number of different recordings and you willhave to answer questions on what you hear There will betime for you to read the instructions and questions, and youwill have a chance to check your work All the recordings will

be played once only

The test is in four sections Write all your answers in the

listening question booklet (or questions area for the

Computer-Based Test.)

At the end of the test, you will be given ten minutes to

transfer your answers to an answer sheet (You will not hearthis in instruction for the Computer-Based Test)

Now turn to section one on page two

Section 1 A student wants to register for an event Listen tothe conversation between the student and the woman andanswer the questions

First you have some time to look at questions one to five.(Thirty seconds time will pass)

You will see that there is an example which has been donefor you On this occasion only, the conversation relating tothis will be played twice

A: Hello

B: Good afternoon, can I help you?

A: Yes, is this where I can register for the Student

Innovations event?

B: It is Tell me your name and I can provide you with anentry pass

The student says he wants to register for the Student

Innovations event So, you write the words ‘Student

Innovations’

Now we shall begin You should answer the questions as youlisten, because you will not hear the recording a second

time Look at the registration form, listen carefully, and

answer the questions one to five

Bonus Tip!

Notice the section that says 30 seconds time will pass This

is the perfect chance for you to predict what type of

information will be in the answers More on this in Strategy

# 5

Strategy # 5 - Look for Clues

Like a Police Detective

When take the IELTS listening test, you need to be like a

police detective In other words, you need to search for clues You need all the clues you can get when you listen if

you want to score highly

What do we mean by clues? Quite simply, clues are any

pieces of information that tell you the following:

Who is speaking?

Who is the person speaking to?

How many people are speaking?

What are they speaking about?

Where are they speaking?

Why are they speaking?

What are they trying to achieve?

The good news is that clues are everywhere The whole test is full of clues that you need to pick up quickly.

Clues can be found in the following places:

The questions on the question sheet

The introduction to each section

Background sound at the start of each part (eg phoneringing, restaurant sounds)

The tone and emotion of the voices

In the following strategy sections, always consider how youcan get clues that will help you find out more about thelistening

Strategy # 6 - Get Clues from

the Questions

In all four sections of the listening test, you need to use the

questions to help you understand the main idea of the

topic

The questions are like a summary of the listening, so you need to use the questions to guess and make predictions, understand the situation and imagine the type of

information that is usually given in these situations.

For example, if there are multiple choice questions, the

questions should tell you important information about thelistening

Choose the best answer, A, B or C.

What is the main reason for the man calling the restaurant?

A to order his meal B to confirm his reservation C to buy a

ticket By looking for clues in the above question, you shouldunderstand the following:

1 The conversation is between a man calling a restaurantand a restaurant staff member

2 The man will most likely want information from the staffmember

3 The man will tell the staff member what he would like

4 People usually call restaurants to make a booking

These are all clues that give you a deeper understanding

of the listening You need this information to help you score

high marks because you will be prepared for the listeningwhen you hear it You will know the context and what to

expect.

Bonus Tip!

The thirty seconds preparation time is the perfect time

to get clues about the main ideas by analysing the

questions and getting the main idea of the section

Strategy # 7 - Ask Yourself

Questions about the Listening

Look at the following dialogue in this example from Section

1 of the listening

As you read the dialogue, ask yourself these four questions:

1 What is happening in this situation?

2 Who is asking for information?

3 Who is giving information?

4 What type of information are they giving/asking for?

(Sound of phone ringing two times)

A: Good afternoon, Seasons Restaurant How can I help you?B: Hello I'd like to confirm a booking I made last week for atable tonight

A: Certainly, can I have your name please?

B: Yes, Kelvin Jacobson

A: How do I spell Jacobson?

B: That’s J-A-C-O-B-S-O-N

A: Thank you Just wait a moment please, I'm

checking the system now oh yes, I can see there's

a table booked for the restaurant tonight For two

people, is that correct?

B: That’s right Can you tell me if there's a buffet tonight?

A: Tonight’s menu let me see yes, there is It commences

at 5pm

B: Excellent

A: Is there anything else I can help you with?

B: Yes, can you tell me what time we have to check out ofthe hotel on Thursday?

A: Certainly, sir All guests need to check out by 11am

B: And is there a storage facility available for guestswho need to leave their luggage in the building afterthey check out?

A: There is indeed, all part of the service, Mr

Jacobson, so there’s no extra fee for that So long asall your luggage and possessions from the safe havebeen claimed by 6pm

B: That should be fine My flight leaves at 4.25 thatafternoon, so I will have picked it up no later than

2pm Thanks for your help

A: It's a pleasure sir Have a nice day

Let’s now look at the answers to the questions you askedyourself

Q 1 What is happening in this situation?

A A man is confirming details about a restaurant bookingand hotel check-out procedures

Q 2 Who is asking for information?

A The customer, Kelvin Jacobson

Q3 Who is giving information?

A A hotel restaurant staff member who has access to thecomputer system.

Q 4 What type of information is being asked for?

A Information that will help Kelvin understand the

procedures for the rest of his hotel stay

Remember!

By asking yourself questions, you are actively listening and preparing yourself for success As you do practice listening tests, it’s a good habit to always ask yourself

these basic questions so you brain can get the context for

the answers

Strategy # 8 - Underline

Keywords in the Questions

By underlining keywords in the questions, you will gain an understanding of the main ideas.

Once again, the questions are like a summary of the

information you will hear, so use the questions to give you ageneral idea of what the topic is about

Also, underlining helps you focus on the specific

information you need to listen for in order to answer

the questions

You need to do this quickly in the time that you are given

before each listening starts

Let’s look at some examples:

One major problem with the first system was that 1n 1895, a famous new system was developed by Longer films were not made at the time because of

Strategy # 9 - Listen for Clues

in the Introduction to Each

Section

At the start of each listening section, the person who

introduces the test will give you a quick summary of the

situation

For example, in the IELTS test you will hear information

similar to the following:

Section 1 A man calls a woman to enquire about rentingaccommodation Listen to the conversation between theman and the woman and answer questions 1 to 5

Section 2 You will hear a woman talking about a number ofdifferent national parks Listen to her talk and answer thequestions 11 – 16

Section 3 In this section, you will hear a discussion between

a male student and a woman who is a lecturer at a

university Listen to the conversation and answer questions

21 – 24

Section 4 In this section, you will hear Hayden Marchetto,

an expert in sports science, discuss recent innovations insports therapy as a way of aiding recovery for athletes

Listen to the information and answer questions 31 – 40

When you hear this introductory information, you need to

use your critical thinking skills to consider what you

already know about the topic and predict what the

information will include

For example, for section 1, what do you know about renting

accommodation? What types of questions and answers will

be asked and answered? If you think it might be price,

location and time of availability you are on the right track

In section 4 the lecture is about recovery for sports people

and innovation What do you think this involves? You might

be thinking about using heart rate monitors, advanced

exercise programs using technology and choices of diet

By asking yourself what you already know about the topic

and situation, you trigger your brain into thinking about

the exact topic and you will be faster to comprehend what ishappening when the listening actually starts

Bonus Tip!

Students who do well at IELTS are usually people who have

experience in real world situations and have an interest

in the world around them So, make sure you pay attention

to the world around you as you prepare for IELTS Read

newspapers, watch current affairs TV shows and

experience life.

Strategy # 10 - Listen for

Specific Details

Most answers will be gained by listening to the specific

details For many candidates, this may be tricky because

listening very carefully for specific details is different

from normal types of listening that you might do during daily life.

Therefore, to succeed at IELTS listening, you must focus

very carefully on the small details.

For example, when the speakers are talking about a table,you may be asked how old it is, how much it costs, and whatmaterial it is made of

In section 1, the seller may be describing a car that she is

selling You should listen for information such as:

the price of the car

the age of the car

the make of the car (company that made it)

the colour of the car

how many kilometres it has driven

whether it is in good condition or bad condition

In section 2, the speaker may be talking about an event.

Therefore, there will probably be questions about

information such as:

The time of the event

The people at the event

The length of the event

The location of the event

If the event is formal or informal

In section 3, the dialogue between two speakers may be

about an essay which is due at university Specific

information may include:

The time it is due

The number of words required

The number of references required

If there is an example essay

If it needs to include an introduction and a conclusion How the essay should be handed in: by hard copy or

uploaded by computer

In section 4, the lecture may be about a species of animal

which is under threat of extinction Specific information mayinclude:

The location of the animal

The number of animals left in the wild

The number of animals in zoos

The reasons why the animals are in danger

Strategy # 11 - Practice

Numbers, Names and Letters

You will need to practice writing detailed information Remember, you only have one time to listen, so you need

to be perfectly accurate when you hear the speaker

saying letters and numbers

The following are examples of the type of information you

will hear:

Addresses

76 Gideon Ave

Unit 67/32 Metropolis St (first number is the apartment,

second is the street number)

44 87 664 664 (two consecutive same numbers are

pronounced ‘double’ six)

When you write dates in full, you can write either the date

or month first If you need to include the year, the year

should come last In abbreviated form, the pattern should bedate/month/year (eg 23/7/2014)

The fifteenth of July = 15 July or July 15th

October the third = October 3 or 3rd October

New Year’s Eve = Dec 31st or 31 December

It is a good idea to write with abbreviations because this

will save you time when you are transferring your answers.You can use standard abbreviations such as:

Missus - Mrs

Bonus Tip!

The next time you watch a YouTube video or movie in

English, try to listen to the small details when the people arespeaking Listening for specific details is different from

general information about a subject In many cases, peopletry to get the general information about a topic But IELTS isclear about testing your ability to hear details correctly This

is a skill you must practice