PIA IELTS EXPERT COURSE

Listening


IELTS LISTENING TEST
IELTS Listening test lasts for about 30 minutes. It consists of four parts, played on cassette
tape, in order of increasing difficulty. Each section might be a dialogue or a monologue. The test is
played once only, and the questions for each section must be answered while listening, although time
is given for students to check their answers.

The Test Format
There are four sections with ten questions each. The questions are designed so that the answers
appear in the order they are heard in the audio.
The first two sections deal with situations set in everyday social contexts. In Section 1, there is a
conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements), and in
Section 2, there is a monologue in (for example, a speech about local facilities). The final two sections
deal with situations set in educational and training contexts. In Section 3, there is a conversation
between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a
tutor), and in Section 4, there is a monologue on an academic subject.
The recordings are heard only once. They include a range of accents, including British, Australian,
New Zealand, American and Canadian.
Test takers write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test are
given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Care should be taken when writing
answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalized.

2


Listening General Tips
These Tips will help you improve your listening score.

1. Learn and understand the directions now. You will want to use your time during the test to study
the questions, not the directions.
2. Study the different types of questions. Be prepared for what question might ask you to do. Be
prepared to complete a sentence, check a box, or choose a letter.
3. You should take notes in your question booklet as you listen. You can circle possible answers and
change your mind later when you transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
4. If you don’t know an answer, you can guess. However, there is a penalty for wrong answers.
Make sure you think you are right. If you guess wrong, you will lose a point.
5. Anytime you have a chance, study the next set of questions. Make assumption about what you
think you will hear.
6. When you make assumptions, ask yourself: Who? What? When? Where? and How?
7. The correct answer is often repeated, but the words will not be written exactly as they are heard.
The test will use paraphrases and synonyms.
8. There is a lot of information given in the dialogues and lectures that is not tested. Try to listen only
for answers to the questions.
9. Don’t get stuck on a question. If you didn’t hear the answer, go on.
10. The answers are given in order. For example, if you hear the answer to Question 10, but you
didn’t hear the answer for Question 9, you missed Question 9. You will not hear the answer later.
Guess the answer to Question 9 and move on.
11. Be sure to read the instructions you receive from the test center. Some supply pencils; some ask
you to bring your own. If you are given an IELTS pencil at the start of the exam, you will probably
not be allowed to bring your own pen or pencil into the examining room. You could bring a
number 2 pencil, a soft lead pencil, to make sure you have something to write with. You may have
to leave it outside the test center, but it’s better to have a pencil than not.
12. When you write a word in a blank, you must spell the word correctly. It doesn’t matter if you use
British or American spelling. It must be spelled correctly. You will get a lower score if you did not
spell correctly.

3



Practices
Practice A
SECTION 1

Questions 1–10

Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

FAMILY EXCURSIONS
Cruise on a lake
Example
 Travel on an old

steamship

p

 Can take photos of the 1

that surround the lake

Farm visit


Children can help feed the sheep




Visit can include a 40-minute ride on a 2



Visitors can walk in the farm’s 3



4

a
by the lake

is available at extra cost

Cycling trips
 Cyclists explore the Back Road
 A5

is provided

 Only suitable for cyclists who have some 6
-

– Bikes can be hired from 7



Cyclists need:
–


a repair kit

–

food and drink

–

a8

 There are no 9

p
(near the Cruise Ship Terminal)

(can be hired)
I or accommodation in the area

Cost
 Total cost for whole family of cruise and farm visit: 10 $

p

4


Practice B
SECTION 1


Questions 1–10

Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Events during Kenton Festival
Example
Start date

16th

May

Opening ceremony (first day)
 In town centre, starting at 1

t

The mayor will make a speech
A2

swill perform

Performance of a 3

about Helen Tungate (a 4

Evening fireworks display situated across the 5

)


s

Other events


Videos about relationships that children have with their 6
Venue: 7



s

Housea

Performance of 8

dances

Venue: the 9

market in the town centre

Time: 2 and 5 pm every day except 1st day of festival
 Several professional concerts and one by children
Venue: library
Time: 6.30 pm on the 18th
Tickets available online from festival box office and from shops which have the festival
10


in their windows

5


Practice C
SECTION 2

Questions 11–20

Questions 11–14
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

TALK TO NEW KITCHEN ASSISTANTS
11

According to the manager, what do most people like about the job of kitchen assistant?
A
B
C

12

The manager is concerned about some of the new staff’s
A
B
C

13


jewellery.
hair styles.
shoes.

The manager says that the day is likely to be busy for kitchen staff because
A
B
C

14

the variety of work
the friendly atmosphere
the opportunities for promotion

it is a public holiday.
the head chef is absent.
the restaurant is almost fully booked.

Only kitchen staff who are 18 or older are allowed to use
A
B
C

the waste disposal unit.
the electric mixer.
the meat slicer.

Questions 15 and 16
Choose TWO letters, A–E.

According to the manager, which TWO things can make the job of kitchen assistant stressful?
A
B
C
D
E

They have to follow orders immediately.
The kitchen gets very hot.
They may not be able to take a break.
They have to do overtime.
The work is physically demanding.

6


Questions 17–20
What is the responsibility of each of the following restaurant staff?
Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–F, next to Questions 17–20.

Responsibilities
A

training courses

B

food stocks

C


first aid

D

breakages

E

staff discounts

F

timetables

Restaurant staff
17

Joy Parkins

s

18

David Field

s

19


Dexter Wills

s

20

Mike Smith

s

7


Practice D
SECTION 2

Questions 11–20

Questions 11–15
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Theatre trip to Munich
11

When the group meet at the airport they will have
A breakfast.
B coffee.
C lunch.

12


The group will be met at Munich Airport by
A an employee at the National Theatre.
B a theatre manager.
C a tour operator.

13

How much will they pay per night for a double room at the hotel?
A 110 euros
B 120 euros
C 150 euros

14

What type of restaurant will they go to on Tuesday evening?
A an Italian restaurant
B a Lebanese restaurant
C a typical restaurant of the region

15

Who will they meet on Wednesday afternoon?
A an actor
B a playwright
C a theatre director

8



Questions 16 – 20
What does the man say about the play on each of the following days?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to Questions 16–20.

Comments
A

The playwright will be present.

B

The play was written to celebrate an anniversary.

C

The play will be performed inside a historic building.

D

The play will be accompanied by live music.

E

The play will be performed outdoors.

F

The play will be performed for the first time.

G


The performance will be attended by officials from the town.

Days
16

Wednesday

s

17

Thursday

s

18

Friday

s

19

Saturday

s

20


Monday

s

9


Practice E
SECTION 3

Questions 21–30

Questions 21–23
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Paper on Public Libraries
21

What will be the main topic of Trudie and Stewart’s paper?
A
B
C

22

They agree that one disadvantage of free digitalised books is that
A
B
C


23

how public library services are organised in different countries
how changes in society are reflected in public libraries
how the funding of public libraries has changed

they may take a long time to read.
they can be difficult to read.
they are generally old.

Stewart expects that in the future libraries will
A
B
C

maintain their traditional function.
become centres for local communities.
no longer contain any books.

Questions 24–30
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Study of local library: possible questions
 whether it has a 24

of its own

 its policy regarding noise of various kinds
 how it’s affected by laws regarding all aspects of 25
 how the design needs to take the 26

 what 27

s
of customers into account

s is required in case of accidents

 why a famous person’s 28
 whether it has a 29
 how it’s different from a library in a 30

sis located in the library
of local organisations
s

10


Practice F
SECTION 3

Questions 21–30

Questions 21–25
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Scandinavian Studies
21

James chose to take Scandinavian Studies because when he was a child

A
B
C

22

When he graduates, James would like to
A
B
C

23

Swedish cinema
Danish television programmes
Scandinavian literature

They agree that James’s literature paper this term will be on
A
B
C

25

take a postgraduate course.
work in the media.
become a translator.

Which course will end this term?
A

B
C

24

he was often taken to Denmark.
his mother spoke to him in Danish.
a number of Danish people visited his family.

19th century playwrights.
the Icelandic sagas.
modern Scandinavian novels.

Beth recommends that James’s paper should be
A
B
C

a historical overview of the genre.
an in-depth analysis of a single writer.
a study of the social background to the literature.

11


Questions 26–30
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to Questions 26–30.

A


bullet points

B

film

C

notes

D

structure

E

student paper

F

textbook

G

documentary

How James will write his paper on the Vikings

He’ll read a 26


and choose his topic.

He’ll borrow a 27

He’ll plan the 28

sfrom Beth.

of the paper.

He’ll read some source material and write 29

He’ll write the paper using 30

o

o

He’ll write the complete paper.

12


Practice G
SECTION 4

Questions 31–40

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Four business values
Many business values can result in 31

.

Senior managers need to understand and deal with the
potential 32
that may result.
Collaboration
During a training course, the speaker was in a team that had to build
a 33
.
Other teams experienced 34

sfrom trying to collaborate.

The speaker’s team won because they reduced collaboration.
Sales of a 35

swere poor because of collaboration

Industriousness
Hard work may be a bad use of various company 36

.s

The word ‘lazy’ in this context refers to people who avoid doing
tasks that are 37
.s

Creativity
An advertising campaign for a 38
boost sales.

swas memorable but failed to

Creativity should be used as a response to a particular 39

.s.

Excellence
According to one study, on average, pioneers had a 40
was far higher than that of followers.

sthat

13


Practice H
SECTION 4

Questions 31–40

Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Four business values
Many business values can result in 31

.


Senior managers need to understand and deal with the
potential 32
that may result.
Collaboration
During a training course, the speaker was in a team that had to build
a 33
.
Other teams experienced 34

sfrom trying to collaborate.

The speaker’s team won because they reduced collaboration.
Sales of a 35

swere poor because of collaboration

Industriousness
Hard work may be a bad use of various company 36

.s

The word ‘lazy’ in this context refers to people who avoid doing
tasks that are 37
.s
Creativity
An advertising campaign for a 38
boost sales.

swas memorable but failed to


Creativity should be used as a response to a particular 39

.s.

Excellence
According to one study, on average, pioneers had a 40
was far higher than that of followers.

sthat

14


Practice Test 1
SECTION 1

Questions 1–10

Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

PUBLIC LIBRARY
Example
The library reopened last

month

p


The library now has
 a seating area with magazines
 an expanded section for books on 1

o

 a new section on local 2

o

 a community room for meetings (also possible to 3
 a new section of books for 4

there)

o

For younger children
 the next Science Club meeting: experiments using things from your 5

o

 Reading Challenge: read six books during the holidays
For Adults


this Friday: a local author talks about a novel based on real 6




IT support is available on Tuesdays – no 7



free check of blood 8

o

is necessary

and cholesterol levels (over 60s only)

Other information
 the library shop sells wall-charts, cards and 9
 evenings and weekends: free 10

o
is available

15


SECTION 2

Questions 11–20

Questions 11 and 12
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO age groups are taking increasing numbers of holidays with BC Travel?
A

B
C
D
E

16–30 years
31–42 years
43–54 years
55–64 years
over 65 years

Questions 13 and 14
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO are the main reasons given for the popularity of activity holidays?
A
B
C
D
E

Clients make new friends.
Clients learn a useful skill.
Clients learn about a different culture.
Clients are excited by the risk involved.
Clients find them good value for money.

Questions 15–17
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
15


How does BC Travel plan to expand the painting holidays?
A
B
C

16

Why are BC Travel’s cooking holiday unusual?
A
B
C

17

by adding to the number of locations
by increasing the range of levels
by employing more teachers

They only use organic foods.
They have an international focus.
They mainly involve vegetarian dishes.

What does the speaker say about the photography holidays?
A
B
C

Clients receive individual tuition.
The tutors are also trained guides.
Advice is given on selling photographs.


16


Questions 18–20
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Fitness Holidays
Location
Ireland and Italy

Main focus
general fitness

Other comments
 personally designed
programme
 also reduces
18

Greece

19

Morocco

mountain biking

icontrol


i

 includes exercise on the
beach
 wide variety of levels
 one holiday that is specially
designed for
20
i

17


SECTION 3

Questions 21–30

Questions 21–26
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 21–26.
A

patterns

B

names

C


sources

D

questions

E

employees

F

solutions

G

headings

H

officials

STAGES IN DOING A TOURISM CASE STUDY
RESEARCH
Locate and read relevant articles, noting key information and also 21
Identify a problem or need
Select interviewees – these may be site 22
city 23


o

,visitors or
o

Prepare and carry out interviews. If possible, collect statistics.
Check whether 24

of interviewees can be used

ANALYSIS
Select relevant information and try to identify 25

o

Decide on the best form of visuals

WRITING THE CASE STUDY
Give some background before writing the main sections
Do NOT end with 26

o

18


Questions 27–30
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

The Horton Castle site

27

Natalie and Dave agree one reason why so few people visit Horton Castle is that
A
B
C

28

Natalie and Dave agree that the greatest problem with a visitor centre could be
A
B
C

29

covering the investment costs.
finding a big enough space for it.
dealing with planning restrictions.

What doe Dave say about conditions in the town of Horton?
A
B
C

30

the publicity is poor.
it is difficult to get to.
there is little there of interest.


There is a lot of unemployment.
There are few people of working age.
There are opportunities for skilled workers.

According to Natalie, one way to prevent damage to the castle site would be to
A
B
C

insist visitors have a guide.
make visitors keep to the paths.
limit visitor numbers.

19


SECTION 4

Questions 31–40

Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

The effect of environmental change on birds
Mercury (Hg)
 Highly toxic
 Released into the atmosphere from coal
 In water it may be consumed by fish
 It has also recently been found to affect birds which feed on 31


o

Research on effects of mercury on birds
 Claire Varian-Ramos is investigating:
-

the effects on birds’ 32

or mental processes, e.g. memory

-

the effects on bird song (usually learned from a bird’s 33

)

 Findings:
-

songs learned by birds exposed to mercury are less 34

-

this may have a negative effect on birds’ 35

o
o

 Lab-based studies:

-

allow more 36

for the experimenter

Implications for humans
 Migrating birds such as 37

containing mercury may be eaten by humans

 Mercury also causes problems in learning 38
 Mercury in a mother’s body from 39

o
may affect the unborn child

 New regulations for mercury emissions will affect everyone’s energy 40

o

20


Practice Test B
SECTION 1

Questions 1–10

Complete the notes below.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Cycle tour leader: Applicant enquiry
Example
Name: Margaret

Smith

t

About the applicant:
 wants a 1

job

 will soon start work as a 2

t

 has led cycle trips in 3

t

 interested in being a leader of a cycling trip for families
 is currently doing voluntary work with members of a 4
 available for five months from the 1st of 5
 can’t eat 6

club
t


t

Contact details:
 address: 27 7
 postcode: 8

Place, Dumfries
t

Interview:
 interview at 2.30 pm on 9
 will plan a short 10

t
about being a tour guide

21


SECTION 2

Questions 11–20

Questions 11–14
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Visiting the Sheepmarket area
11


Which is the most rapidly-growing group of residents in the Sheepmarket area?
A
B
C

12

The speaker recommends the side streets in the Sheepmarket for their
A
B
C

13

international restaurants.
historical buildings.
arts and crafts.

Clothes designed by entrants for the Young Fashion competition must
A
B
C

14

young professional people
students from the university
employees in the local market

be modelled by the designers themselves.

be inspired by aspects of contemporary culture.
be made from locally produced materials.

Car parking is free in some car parks if you
A
B
C

stay for less than an hour.
buy something in the shops.
park in the evenings or at weekends.

22


Questions 15–20
Label the map below.
Write the correct letter, A–I, next to Questions 15–20.
Art and History in the Sheepmarket

N
W

E
B
F

Hill Road
Bank
C


A

E

D

City Road

S

Public
Gardens

I

G

Station
Square

H
Crawley Road

15

The Reynolds House

s


16

The Thumb

s

17

The Museum

s

18

The Contemporary Art Gallery

s

19

The Warner Gallery

s

20

Nucleus

s


23


SECTION 3

Questions 21–30

Questions 21–24
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Presentation on film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays
Stages of presentation

Work still to be done

Introduce Giannetti’s book containing a

Organise notes

21

sof adaptations

Ask class to suggest the 22
adaptations

s

No further work needed


Present Rachel Malchow’s ideas

Prepare some 23

Discuss relationship between adaptations
and 24
sat the time of
making the film

No further work needed

s

24


Questions 25–30
What do the speakers say about each of the following films?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to questions 25–30.

Comments
A

clearly shows the historical period

B

contains only parts of the play


C

is too similar to another kind of film

D

turned out to be unpopular with audiences

E

presents the play in a different period from the original

F

sets the original in a different country

G

incorporates a variety of art forms

Films
25

Ran

s

26

Much Ado About Nothing


s

27

Romeo & Juliet

s

28

Hamlet

s

20

Prospero’s Books

s

30

Looking for Richard

s

25