IELTS Listening Tips: Multiple Choice

Summary

In this lesson, Liz provides essential strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions in the IELTS listening test, highlighting their complexity and common traps. She outlines effective techniques such as identifying context, understanding paraphrasing, and listening for specific recommendations. Liz also emphasizes the importance of reading all answer options carefully before listening and noting any traps set by the speaker. With practical examples and useful vocabulary for recommendations, this guide equips learners with the tools to improve their listening skills and achieve better results in the IELTS test.

Takeaways

• 😀 Multiple choice questions in IELTS listening are considered the most difficult.
• 😀 There are two types of multiple choice questions: separate questions and list selection.
• 😀 Look for a title to understand the context of the listening task.
• 😀 Pay close attention to the question and underline important details, like the number of required answers.
• 😀 Identify keywords in the question to help determine the correct answers.
• 😀 Paraphrasing is crucial; prepare for synonyms and variations in the language used.
• 😀 Review all answer options before listening to determine what to focus on.
• 😀 Listen for the entirety of sentences to avoid being misled by initial correct-sounding answers.
• 😀 Common traps may include suggestions that are later negated in the conversation.
• 😀 Always record answers as letters, not words, to ensure they are marked correctly.

Q & A

What are the two main types of multiple-choice questions in IELTS listening?

The two main types are individual questions with three or four answer choices and list selection questions, where you must choose multiple correct answers from a longer list.

Why are multiple-choice questions considered difficult in IELTS listening?

They are challenging because they often include traps and require careful listening to distinguish between recommended and non-recommended options.

What is the first tip Liz gives for approaching multiple-choice questions?

The first tip is to look for a title that provides context for the situation, helping to understand the listening better.

How should students handle keywords in the questions?

Students should underline key elements, such as the number of answers required and identify important keywords that guide what to listen for.

What does Liz suggest about paraphrasing during the test?

Liz emphasizes the importance of recognizing synonyms and different phrasing in the audio, as test questions may not use the exact words from the options.

What is a common trap in IELTS listening related to recommendations?

A common trap is when a statement begins with a recommendation but is followed by a contradiction that negates the advice given.

What should students do when they hear an option mentioned in the recording?

They should listen carefully to confirm if it is actually recommended, marking it tentatively, and continue listening for more information.

What is the significance of the phrase 'refreshments' in the practice question?

'Refreshments' refers to food and drink, which was indicated as a necessary item to bring on the rainforest excursion.

Why is it important to write only the letter of the answer on the answer sheet?

It's important because writing the full answer can result in a wrong response; only the letter corresponding to the correct answer is accepted.

What additional resources does Liz provide at the end of the lesson?

Liz offers links for more practice on multiple-choice listening questions and additional useful IELTS lessons.