Listening

1. Check the number of words allowed

However many practice tests you do, always read the instructions and underline the number of words you can write in the space – this is true of all parts of the Reading and Listening Texts.

If you are only allowed ONE word, for example, and the answer you heard is ‘passport photos‘ then of course, just write ‘photos‘.

If you are allowed TWO words, then write both words for safety.

2. Check for plurals

Although it may seem simple and obvious, Part 1 tests your plurals and the various spelling patterns of plurals.

So in the example above, the correct spelling is of course ‘photos‘ and NOT ‘photoes’ or ‘photo’s’.

Review spelling rules for plural nouns e.g. party – parties, dish – dishes, potato – potatoes!

3. Practise spelling out names

Make sure you’re confident about using the similar-sounding letters of the alphabet e.g. i/y, i/e, u/w, j/g, p/b.

Practise things like ‘Double l’ (ll) and alternative or unusual spellings of common names e.g. John/Jon, Sean/Shaun/Sion.

4. Dates and numbers

You need to be able to distinguish the difference between, say, 15 and 50, especially for prices (e.g. £15.50).

With dates and times, check you know the different ways of saying e.g. 31st March and things like ‘a quarter to two/1.45’.

One good thing is that IELTS markers are not strict about how you write the date, so it’s much better to write ‘Wed’ or ‘Feb’ than get the spelling wrong for Wednesday or February.

Short versions of dates are OK, as long as they are correct e.g. 31 Mar, 31.03, March 31s, 3/31.

And practise things like ‘0’ = ‘oh’ or ‘zero’ for phone numbers.

5. Corrections

There will often be a correction, as we can see here: ‘He’s here on Thursday evenings, no sorry, Friday‘.

Make sure you write down the correction (usually the second answer you hear).

This often happens with spelling and phone numbers – ‘Did you say 495 344? No – 495 334′. The speaker will use intonation to emphasise the correct number – they will say it louder, more slowly and with a different ‘pitch’.

Other Tricks

In the example above, there are lots of tricks where they check if you’re listening carefully.

You hear: Well it’s free for students here but otherwise it’s £125 per year or £25 if you’ve got a current student card from another college.

Answer: Cost to join per year (without student card): £125

You hear: ‘We allow 12 items borrowed at any one time if you’re a student. However, it’s only 8 items for members of the public’.

Answer: Number of items allowed: (members of public) 8

You hear: ‘Most people book 24 hours in advance. Sometimes you can get one with 6 hours notice. However the earliest you can book a computer is 48 hours before you need it’.

Answer:  Computers can be booked up to 48 hours in advance.

You hear: ‘The minimum fine is £1.50 but it can go up to £5′.

Answer: Fines start at £1.50.