IELTS GT Listening : Types of Question

The IELTS General Training (GT) Listening test assesses your ability to understand spoken English in everyday social and workplace contexts.

Below is an overview of the GT Listening test, including its duration, structure, format, types of questions, preparation tips, and sample questions:

Duration:

The GT Listening test lasts for approximately 30 minutes, including the time given to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. It consists of 40 Questions.

Structure:

The test consists of four sections, each with a different audio recording. The recordings are played only once.

Format:

• Section 1:

A conversation between two speakers in a social context

(e.g., booking a hotel room).

• Section 2:

A monologue in a social context

(e.g., giving information about local facilities).

• Section 3:

A conversation among up to four speakers in an educational or training context

(e.g., discussing a project).

• Section 4:

A monologue on an academic or training-related topic

(e.g., a lecture).

Types of Questions:

Common question types in the GT Listening test include:

1. Multiple Choice

2. Matching

3. Form/Note/Table/Flow-chart Completion

4. True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given

5. Short Answer Questions

6. Map/Plan/Diagram Labeling

7. Sentence or Summary Completion

Preparation:

1. Familiarize yourself with the test format by practicing with official IELTS preparation materials.

2. Listen to a variety of English accents to improve your listening skills.

3. Practice time management during practice tests to ensure you complete each section within the allocated time.

4. Build your vocabulary, especially in common topics related to everyday life and workplace scenarios.

5. Take advantage of online resources, such as practice tests and audio recordings.

Sample Questions:

1. Multiple Choice:

You'll be asked to choose the correct option from a set of choices (usually A, B, C, or D) based on what you hear in the recording.

What is the main reason for the woman's call?

A) To book a flight

B) To inquire about hotel reservations

C) To ask about car rental services

D) To report a lost item

2. Matching:

You may need to match items or information from the recording to a list of options provided, such as matching names to places or matching statements to speakers.

Match the employees (A-D) to the roles they will undertake during the project.

- A) Sarah

- B) Mark

- C) Emily

- D) James

Roles:

- i) Project Manager

- ii) Researcher

- iii) Presenter

3. Form/Note/Table/Flow-chart Completion:

You'll be required to fill in gaps in forms, notes, tables, or flow-charts based on the information you hear in the recording.

Complete the booking form with the following details:

- Name: __________

- Date of Arrival: __________

- Number of Nights: __________

- Special Requests: __________

4. True/False/Not Given:

You'll need to determine whether statements provided match the information in the recording. Sometimes, you'll be asked to decide if the information given in the statement is true, false, or not given based on what you hear.

The museum is open on Sundays.

- True

- False

- Not Given

5. Short Answer Questions:

You'll be asked to answer questions with short answers (usually one or two words) based on the information you hear in the recording.

What is the purpose of the meeting?

6. Map/Plan/Diagram Labeling:

You might have to label a map, plan, or diagram with information you hear in the recording.

Label the rooms on the floor plan.

- Bedroom 1: __________

- Bathroom: __________

- Kitchen: __________

7. Sentence or Summary Completion:

You might need to complete sentences or summaries using information from the recording, often paraphrasing the information.

Complete the sentence with the missing words.

- The new policy requires employees to __________ their working hours to the HR department.

These question types assess various listening skills, such as understanding main ideas, specific details, relationships between ideas, and understanding speakers' opinions and attitudes.

It's essential to practice each question type thoroughly and develop strategies for managing your time effectively during the test. Familiarizing yourself with the format and practicing with sample questions can help you feel more confident and perform better on test day.

Practice these sample questions and seek feedback online in no time from Wuruzeka to improve your skills.

Additionally, consider taking full-length practice tests under exam conditions to simulate the test experience accurately from Wuruzeka .