New Strategy For IELTS Listening Multiple Choice

Summary

This video offers a strategic approach to tackling multiple choice questions in the IELTS listening test, a common stumbling block for students. It highlights the importance of understanding the unique challenges these questions present and proposes a step-by-step strategy that top-scoring students use to achieve Band 9. The script emphasizes reading the questions carefully, identifying key differences between options, and not getting fixated on a single question. It also advises on the significance of listening for the whole section to avoid being misled by distractors and suggests making educated guesses when unsure. The video concludes with a resource for finding reliable, free practice tests online.

Takeaways

• 📝 Multiple choice questions are a common reason why students fail the IELTS listening test, but they can be made easier with the right strategies.
• 🔍 It's crucial to read and understand the multiple choice questions before the test to recognize the differences between options and anticipate the questions.
• 👀 Students often make the mistake of focusing too much on previous questions and not moving on to read the multiple choice options, which can lead to missing out on important information.
• 📍 Underlining or identifying keywords in the questions and options is a helpful technique to distinguish between similar choices and understand the question requirements.
• 💡 The script emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the first answer but considering the entire context and the specific question being asked in the multiple choice format.
• 🧐 Listening tests are not just about hearing but also about thinking critically and making connections between the recording and the questions.
• 🚫 Avoid getting stuck on one question; if you lose focus, make an educated guess and move on to ensure you don't miss subsequent questions.
• ⚠️ Be cautious of qualification statements like 'but' or 'however', as they can change the meaning of an answer within the recording.
• 📑 Develop a step-by-step strategy for tackling multiple choice questions, including reading instructions, understanding questions, identifying keywords, and being aware of synonyms.
• 🎯 Listen for the whole section related to a question, not just the first relevant information you hear, to avoid being misled by distractors or changes in the speaker's mind.
• ✅ If confident in an answer, mark it with a tick, but continue to listen as the correct answer may change; make an educated guess if unsure and move on.

Q & A

Why are multiple choice questions considered challenging in the IELTS listening test?

Multiple choice questions are challenging because they require not only listening skills but also the ability to understand the nuances of the language and differentiate between similar options.

What is the first step recommended when encountering multiple choice questions in the IELTS listening test?

The first step is to read the multiple choice questions as soon as you finish the previous section, ensuring you understand the differences between the options and what the upcoming questions are about.

Why is it not advisable to focus too much on one question in the IELTS listening test?

Focusing too much on one question can lead to losing focus on the rest of the questions, which may result in missing out on answering subsequent questions correctly.

What is the significance of underlining or identifying keywords in multiple choice questions?

Identifying keywords helps in focusing on the main aspects of the question and the options, making it easier to differentiate between similar choices and understand the requirements of the question.

What should a test taker avoid doing when listening to the recording in the IELTS listening test?

A test taker should avoid focusing on just the first answer they hear and write it down without considering the specific question, as the IELTS listening test is a thinking test that requires understanding the context of the question.

Why is it important to listen to the whole section of the recording in the IELTS listening test?

Listening to the whole section helps in understanding the context and any changes in the speaker's mind or distractors that might affect the choice of the correct answer.

What should a test taker do if they lose focus on a particular question in the IELTS listening test?

If a test taker loses focus on a question, they should make an educated guess and move on to the next question to avoid missing out on the rest of the questions.

How should a test taker approach qualification statements like 'but' or 'however' in the IELTS listening test?

Test takers should be cautious of qualification statements as they can change the meaning of a sentence. It's important to consider the whole sentence, not just the first part.

What is the recommended strategy for answering multiple choice questions in the IELTS listening test?

The recommended strategy includes reading the instructions carefully, understanding the question, highlighting keywords, considering synonyms or paraphrasing, listening for the whole section, and making an educated guess if unsure.

Where can one find reliable practice tests for the IELTS listening test?

The video script mentions another video that guides viewers to where they can find real, reliable practice tests for free on the internet.