IELTS Listening Section 4
In Section 4, you listen to one speaker giving a lecture
on an academic topic.
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What to Expect in Section 4
One speaker only
A lecture or academic talk
No pauses or conversation
How to Answer Note Completion Questions
Read the notes before listening
Follow the lecture step by step
Write words or numbers only
Common Mistakes
Writing too early
Missing key information
Understand how to avoid losing marks
What to Expect in Section 4
You will hear one person giving a lecture or talk, often about an academic topic like the environment, education, or technology.
There is no conversation and no pauses. The speaker talks continuously, but you have time to read the questions before listening.
You don’t need to know the topic, but you must understand the main ideas and key details.
Topics in Section 4 Lectures
You’ll hear one speaker giving an academic lecture or presentation. The speaker explains a topic in a clear and structured way, often using definitions, examples, and processes.
These are the most common lecture topics in Section 4.
Technology & Innovation
Information about science, technology, and new ideas.
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New inventions and developments
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How technology is used
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Changes in modern life
Environment & Climate Change
Information about the natural world and environmental issues.
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Climate change and global warming
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Plants, animals, and ecosystems
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Pollution and energy use
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Health & Psychology
Information about the human body and how people think.
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Physical and mental health
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Memory and learning
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Behaviour and decision-making
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Education & Learning
Information about studying, teaching, and academic topics.
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How people learn and study
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Research and academic subjects
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Teaching methods and ideas
How to answer Note Completion Questions
In Section 4, note completion is very common.
You may get all 10 questions as note completion, or a mix of different question types.
In this task, you follow the notes and fill in the gaps with words and/or a number, depending on the instructions.
The notes always follow the order of the lecture, just like in a real university lecture.
