IELTS Listening: what each of the four sections asks of you
Admin1 November 2026 2 min read
Listening has four sections and 40 questions. The recording plays once. The sections follow a clear pattern: everyday to academic, conversation to lecture.
The four sections side by side
| Section | Situation | Typical tasks | Main skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A conversation about daily life, such as booking a room | Forms, notes | Spelling names and numbers |
| 2 | A monologue about a local topic, such as a tour | Maps, multiple choice | Following directions and sequence |
| 3 | A discussion among students and a tutor | Matching, multiple choice | Opinions and agreement |
| 4 | An academic lecture | Notes and summary completion | Following an argument |
Section 1: do not lose easy marks
- Spell names correctly. Practise the alphabet, especially E, I, G, J.
- Listen for corrections: It's 15... sorry, 50 Park Road. The second answer counts.
- Check the word limit: no more than two words means three words is wrong.
Section 2: follow the route
For maps, find the starting point and the compass directions before the recording begins. Listen for opposite, next to, behind and at the end of.
Section 3: opinions change
Speakers often start with one view and end with another. Wait until the final decision before you choose. Words such as however, actually and in the end mark the change.
Section 4: use the question as a map
The notes follow the lecture in order. Read them in the preparation time and predict what kind of word fits each gap: a number, a noun, an adjective.
What to do before the recording starts
- Read the instructions and the word limit.
- Underline keywords in the questions.
- Predict the type of answer.
Weekly practice
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Mon | Section 1: spelling and numbers |
| Tue | Section 2: maps and plans |
| Wed | Section 3: opinions |
| Thu | Section 4: lecture notes |
| Fri | One full test, then review every error |
#listening#sections
Try these tips on a real task
Put one habit from this article into your next practice session.