Chapter 3.1: Section 1 - Conversation

In this part of the test, you'll hear a conversation between two people. The conversation is usually about everyday life and social needs, you know, things you need to do when you live, work, or study in an English-speaking country. For example, you might want to arrange some accommodation, or book a holiday. The aim of the people having the conversation is to give and receive information. So why are you listening? Well, you're being tested on your ability to listen for specific factual information, you know, like phone numbers, or places, or dates. In this section, you'll have to listen and answer ten questions. And remember, you only listen once!

1. Multiple Choice Questions

How to do multiple choice questions:

  

 Before you listen:  

Step 1: Read the instructions carefully.  

Step 2: Read each question during preparation time. Underline keywords and think of paraphrases.  

While you listen:  

Step 3: Listen for keywords and synonyms.  

Step 4: Choose the answer which has the same meaning as in the listening text. (The paraphrase, words and sentence may vary, but the meaning to be same).

Practice

https://courses.edx.org/asset-v1:UQx+IELTSx+3T2015+type@asset+block@1.3.3.2-_Skills-_Listening_for_synonyms_of_keywords.mp3

Listen and answer about car service:

1. The woman wants the man to:

A: take care of her car. 

B: drive her car. 

C: check her car.

2. What is wrong with the woman's car? 

A: It's difficult to start.

B: It's noisy. 

C: It's uses too much petrol. 

3. How long has she had this problem? 

A: two or three days 

B: approximately two weeks correct 

C: between one and two months

4. The car will be ready:
A: in the morning
B: in the afternoon
C: in the evening

Answers:  1 - C, 2- A, 3 - B, 4 - A

2. Form Completion 

How to do form completion tasks:

Before you listen: 

• Step 1: Check instructions - how many words can you write in the gaps?
• Step 2: Use preparation time to read the form - what does it cover? What are the main points?
• Step 3: Look at the gaps and predict how they could be completed (e.g. names, numbers etc).

While you listen: 

• Step 4: Use the information already given to guide your understanding of the listening.
• Step 5: Write your answer - careful of spelling and make sure the answer fits logically and grammatically.

3. Matching 

 

How to do matching tasks:

Before you listen:

• Step 1: Read the questions to find out the topic - what is covered and what are the keywords?
• Step 2: What do the numbered questions have in common?
• Step 3: How can the options in the box be paraphrased?

Example: If in audio you hear "Recently renovated", then options can be as "it was done up last year" or  "it's just been re-decorated and extended".

While you listen:

• Step 4: Focus on the options and match them to the numbered questions.

Practice:

https://courses.edx.org/asset-v1:UQx+IELTSx+3T2015+type@asset+block@1.3.11.2-_Matching_Practice.mp3

Choose your answers from the image above and type the letters A to G into the text box below questions 1 to 5.

1. Hotel Mayfair:         -------
2. Grand Hotel:            -------
3. Hotel Helga:             -------
4. Park Hotel:               -------
5. Hotel Merit:             -------

Ans: 1 - D, 2- F, 3- C, 4 - A, 5 - E