IELTS Listening Test Practice with Audio & Answers

The IELTS Listening test is a crucial part of your IELTS exam, designed to assess how well you understand spoken English across different contexts and accents. This page covers the IELTS Listening test format in detail, offers IELTS Listening tips, and provides access to IELTS Listening practice test resources so you can prepare with confidence.

What is IELTS Listening test format?

In the IELTS Listening test, you will listen to four recordings and answer a series of questions. Each recording is played only once, so focused Listening is essential. The test includes a variety of English accents – British, American, Australian, and more.

• Recording 1 – A conversation set in an everyday social context (e.g., booking a hotel or discussing travel plans).

• Recording 2 – A monologue in a general context (e.g., a speech on community events).

• Recording 3 – A conversation between more than two people in an educational or training context (e.g., a tutor discussing an assignment with students).

• Recording 4 – A lecture or talk on an academic topic.

You’ll encounter question types such as multiple-choice, matching, map/diagram labelling, form completion, and short-answer questions.

IELTS Listening practice test pdf

Access our IELTS Listening practice tests with audio and answers to score your desired band score:

• IELTS Listening practice test 1

Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 2

Note completion: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 3

Plan, Map, Diagram labelling: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 4

Multiple choice (more than one answer): Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 5

Multiple choice (one answer): Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 6

Short answers: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 7

Table completion: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 8

Sentence completion: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 9

Flow chart completion: Play Audio | Download answer key

• IELTS Listening practice test 10

Familiarisation test: Play Audio | Download answer key

Note: The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

Expert IELTS Listening Tips

Here are some effective IELTS Listening tips to help you succeed:

1. Understand the test format – Know the question types in the IELTS Listening test before you start practising.

2. Practice active Listening – Engage with English audio daily through podcasts, news, and films.

3. Predict content – Skim the questions in advance to anticipate the type of information you’ll hear.

4. Improve note-taking – Create a shorthand for names, numbers, and key facts during the test.

5. Stay focused – If you miss an answer, move on to the next question without losing pace.

6. Use the example at the start – It helps you adapt to the speaker’s accent and speed.

7. Check spelling and grammar – Accuracy is important for your final score.

8. Watch for paraphrasing – The audio may use synonyms instead of the exact words from the question.

9. Manage your time – Use the breaks between sections to read the next set of questions.

10. Get familiar with different accents – British, Australian, and American accents often appear in the IELTS Listening test.