Question Types and strategies to answer them in IELTS Exam

Different Types of Questions in the IELTS Listening Exam

In the IELTS Listening test, there are five different types of questions you may encounter. Understanding each type is crucial for scoring well, and practicing with these question formats will help you become more familiar with the test structure.

Here are the five main question types:

1. Matching
   In this type of question, you’ll need to match answers with the correct information. For example, you may hear a conversation about people discussing their favorite colors, and you’ll have to match the names of people with their favorite color.
2. Fill in the Blanks
   For fill-in-the-blank questions, you’ll listen to a conversation or monologue and fill in missing information on your answer sheet. This could include details like prices, names, or dates. Example: a speaker might talk about their shopping, and you would need to write down the price of an item.
3. Map or Diagram
   Similar to matching, this question involves listening to audio related to a map or diagram. You may need to match locations or objects on a map. For example, a speaker may describe a building layout, and you must match the rooms or areas with the correct labels.
4. Multiple Choice
   In multiple-choice questions, you will be given several options and must choose the correct answer based on the audio you hear. These questions are straightforward—just read through the options and select the one that best fits the information you’ve heard.
5. Short Answer
   Short answer questions require you to listen to a monologue or conversation and answer the questions using a limited number of words (usually no more than three). For example, you may be asked about someone’s favorite food, and your response should stick to the word count limit.

Tips for Practicing Each Question Type:

• For matching, focus on listening for specific details and try to match them with the right options based on the context of the conversation.
• In fill-in-the-blank questions, listen carefully for key details like dates, numbers, and names.
• For maps and diagrams, pay attention to directions and locations being described.
• In multiple-choice, eliminate the incorrect answers first to make your decision easier.
• For short answer, ensure your answer is brief, clear, and within the word limit.

Here are examples for each type of question you might encounter in the IELTS Listening test:

1. Matching Questions

You will match information based on a conversation or monologue.

Example:
Listen to the audio and match the names with the job titles.
Audio: “The first person you’ll meet is Sarah, our receptionist. Next, John handles the bookings. Lastly, the person in charge of housekeeping is Emma.”

Question:
Match the names to their job titles:

• Sarah – ___________
• John – ___________
• Emma – ___________

Answer:

• Sarah – Receptionist
• John – Booking Manager
• Emma – Housekeeping Supervisor

2. Fill in the Blank

You will fill in missing information based on a dialogue or monologue.

Example:
Listen to the audio and fill in the missing details.

Audio: “I’m David, and I was born in ________ in 1987. My favorite food is ________.”

Question:

• Born in ________
• Favorite food is ________

Answer:

• Born in London
• Favorite food is Pizza

3. Map or Diagram

You will listen to a description of a location or a diagram and identify features.

Example:
Listen to the description of the building layout and mark the rooms on the diagram.

Audio: “After entering the building, take the first left to reach the library. The meeting room is the second room on the right.”

Question:
Mark the locations of:

• Library
• Meeting Room

Answer:

• Library: First room on the left
• Meeting Room: Second room on the right

4. Multiple Choice

You will be given several possible answers, and you need to choose the correct one.

Example:
Listen to the audio and choose the correct option.

Audio: “I was feeling tired but decided to go for a walk instead of resting.”

Question:
Why did the speaker go for a walk?
a) To rest
b) To exercise
c) Because they were tired

Answer:
b) To exercise

5. Short Answer Questions

You will listen to a monologue or conversation and answer questions using no more than a specific number of words.

Example:
Listen to the audio and answer the following questions (using no more than three words).

Audio: “My favorite hobby is playing tennis, and I usually play on weekends with my friends.”

Question:

• What is the speaker’s favorite hobby?
• When do they play?

Answer:

• Playing tennis
• On weekends

Here are some strategies to handle different types of questions in the IELTS Listening test, along with an example and an audio-based approach:

Strategy Tip:

• Note-Taking: While listening to the audio, you can make notes on your question sheet. This helps you capture important information that can guide you to the correct answer. However, it’s important not to lose focus on the audio while taking notes.

Steps to Handle Questions:

1. Review the Questions Before Listening:
   • Read through the questions carefully before the audio plays.
   • Identify key words and information you need to listen for.

Example of a Listening Question (with Strategy):

Questions 1-4: Answer using no more than three words or numbers.

1. Anthony Burgess is one of the most influential writers of the __________.
2. He was born in __________ on February 25th, 1917.
3. His childhood and early years were described as __________.
4. Anthony’s most famous book was published in __________.

Strategy for Each Question:

• Question 1 (Century): Highlight “century” in the question. This signals that the audio will likely mention a specific century (e.g., 20th century).
• Question 2 (Birthplace): Circle “born” and focus on listening for the name of the city or town.
• Question 3 (Childhood): Highlight “childhood” and “early years” to focus on information related to his upbringing and family.
• Question 4 (Famous Book): Circle “famous book” and listen carefully for the title of his most famous work.

Audio Example:

“Anthony Burgess is considered one of the greatest British writers of the 20th century. He was born in the English city of Manchester on February 25th, 1917, to Catholic parents. Anthony described his family as reasonably affluent, and his parents were shopkeepers. As a youngster, he was often alone, and sadly, both his parents and sister died at a young age. He rose to prominence as a sergeant during World War Two, which many believe influenced his later writing. His most famous novel, A Clockwork Orange, depicting a dystopian future of aggressive youths, was published in 1962 to much acclaim.”

Answers:

1. 20th century
2. Manchester
3. alone
4. A Clockwork Orange

Final Strategy:

• Before the audio: Always take time to read the questions and identify key words. This prepares you for what to listen for in the audio.
• During the audio: Make brief notes if helpful, but keep your focus on the audio content to ensure you catch all necessary information.
• After the audio: Double-check your answers before submitting, ensuring you adhered to the word limit.

This strategy will help you manage your time effectively and increase your accuracy in answering questions during the IELTS Listening test.