15. IELTS Listening. Key Test-Taking Strategies

This IELTS Teacher Training outlines key test-taking strategies for the IELTS Listening exam, covering four primary question types: sentence completion, labeling a map/diagram, multiple choice, and matching. Main Strategies for All Questions. 1. Underline Keywords: Identify words you expect the speaker to paraphrase or use synonyms for. 2. Check Word Limits: Always adhere strictly to the word count constraints provided. 3. Grammar Awareness: Approximately 90% of answers are nouns. If you are stuck, analyze the grammar to determine if a verb or adjective is required. Specific Question Strategies 1. Sentence Completion: Read the sentences from beginning to end (A to B). Be aware that the answer may sometimes appear before the keyword. 2. Labeling a Map or Diagram: Familiarize yourself with the language of location (e.g., north, south, towards, past). In dialogues with multiple speakers, wait until all participants reach an agreement before confirming your answer. 3. Multiple Choice: Before listening, read only the questions to avoid distraction. During the recording, focus on the choices and use the elimination method to remove incorrect options. 4. Matching: Apply the main strategy of underlining keywords. If it is a conversation, listen carefully for when all speakers agree on the correct match.