Type of Questions in IELTS listening
In the IELTS Listening test, you’ll encounter various types of questions designed to assess different listening skills. Here are some common question types:
Multiple Choice: You’ll listen to a recording and choose the correct answer from three or four options.
Matching: You’ll match items from two lists based on information you hear in the recording.
Plan/Map/Diagram Labeling: You’ll label a plan, map, or diagram with information provided in the audio.
Form/Numeric Completion: You’ll complete a form or provide a numerical answer based on the information you hear.
Sentence Completion: You’ll complete sentences with information you hear in the recording, often requiring you to fill in missing words or phrases.
Short Answer Questions: You’ll answer questions with short phrases or a few words based on the information in the audio.
Note/Summary/Flow-chart/Table Completion: You’ll complete notes, summaries, flow-charts, or tables based on the information provided in the recording.
These question types vary in complexity and test different listening skills, such as understanding main ideas, details, relationships between information, and following instructions. Familiarizing yourself with each question type and practicing with sample questions can help you prepare effectively for the IELTS Listening test.
IELTS Listening Band
IELTS Listening contain 40 questions. Each correct item is awarded one mark, so the maximum raw score you can achieve for each component is 40. Band scores ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 are awarded to candidates on the basis of their raw scores (number of correct answers).
Number of marks required for respective Listening Scores*
| Correct Answer | Band Scores |
|---|---|
| 39 – 40 | 9 |
| 37 – 38 | 8.5 |
| 35 – 36 | 8 |
| 32 – 34 | 7.5 |
| 30 – 31 | 7 |
| 26 – 29 | 6.5 |
| 23 – 25 | 6 |
| 18 – 22 | 5.5 |
| 16 – 17 | 5 |
| 13 – 15 | 4.5 |
| 11 – 12 | 4 |