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IELTS Listening Section 1

In the IELTS Listening test, you need to understand spoken English clearly. Here are the key things to know before you start.

What to Expect in Section 1

How the test is organised

What you will listen to

Key information about the test

What the Listening test is

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Common Question Types

The four sections explained

What happens in each section

How the difficulty changes

Types of situations you will hear

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Common Mistakes

The different question types 

What each question looks like

Click to see tips and strategies

Quick examples of each type

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What to Expect in Section 1

Section 1 is the first part of the IELTS Listening test.

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In this part of the test, you’ll hear a conversation between two people, usually in an everyday situation. This might involve booking a hotel, enquiring about a gym membership, or asking for travel details.

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This is usually the easiest part of the test, so it’s a good chance to get a high score early.

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Types of Conversations

In Section 1, you will hear a conversation between two people, usually in an everyday situation.


These are common situations you might experience in real life, so the language is simple and clear.


If you understand the types of conversations, you will feel much more confident in the test.

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Common situations you will hear:

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Enquiries & Information

Asking for information about a service

  • Gym membership

  • Course details

  • Opening times

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Booking & Reservations

Asking for information about a service

  • Gym membership

  • Course details

  • Opening times

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Appointments & Applications

Asking for information about a service

  • Gym membership

  • Course details

  • Opening times

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Problems & Complaints

Asking for information about a service

  • Gym membership

  • Course details

  • Opening times

Questions in Section 1 test your ability to listen for specific details, like names, dates, phone numbers, addresses, and prices.

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Here are the most common question types you’ll see in this section.

 

 

Click each type to learn more:

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Common Question Types

1

Read Carefully

Form Completion

Section 1
Question
Types

Note Completion

Table Completion

Short-Answer 

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Common Question Types

Be careful. Section 1 may seem easy because the situations feel familiar and the vocabulary is simple. However, it’s also easy to lose marks due to small errors.

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For example:

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Common Question Types

Listen for specific information

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Recognise Letters and Spellings

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Understand Numbers Clearly

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Write Answers Accurately

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Practice Section 1

Practise numbers, dates, names and form completion questions commonly found in IELTS Listening Section 1.day conversations and forms

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Go to Section 2

Continue to Section 2 and learn how to answer questions about public information and monologues.

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