Listening Test: Multiple-choice Questions (IELTS Academic: Listening): Study Material

Multiple-choice questions in the listening test

• In the Listening test, multiple-choice questions may appear in two main forms:

  • A question with three possible answers

  • The first half of a sentence with three possible endings

• In both cases, you choose the correct answer from A, B or C

• Sometimes, you are given a longer list of options and need to choose more than one answer

• The questions usually follow the order of information in the recording

• In questions with more than one answer, the options are in random order

• Multiple-choice questions might be based on a monologue or a dialogue

• The wording of the options is usually different from the wording you hear in the recording

• You hear information connected to all the options; this is to distract you

• Only the correct answer matches the meaning exactly

• If there are two speakers, the task may ask you to focus on:

  • what each speaker says

  • what they both think

  • whether they agree or disagree

How to answer multiple-choice questions

• Read the instructions carefully so you know how many answers to choose

• Read all the questions and options before the recording starts

• Try to read the questions and options quickly before the recording begins

• Notice the key differences between the options

• Do not choose an answer too quickly just because you hear it first

• The speaker often changes or corrects something they said earlier, so pay attention to words such as “however,” “actually” or “sorry”; these words often introduce a change or contrast

• If you are unsure of the correct answer, start by removing the ones you are sure are wrong