IELTS Listening, the four parts
Four parts, one recording each
- Listening is about 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes to transfer answers on the paper test.
- There are 4 parts and 40 questions.
- You hear each recording once.
Practice
How many parts does IELTS Listening have?
Four parts, 10 questions each.
Parts 1 and 2 are everyday English
- Part 1: a conversation between two people in an everyday setting, for example booking a place or asking for information.
- Part 2: one speaker in an everyday setting, for example a talk about a local facility.
- Typical tasks: form completion, multiple choice, map or plan labelling.
Practice
Complete: you answer ___ questions in Listening.
10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40.
Parts 3 and 4 are study English
- Part 3: a conversation between up to four people in a study setting, for example students and a tutor.
- Part 4: one speaker on an academic subject.
- Typical tasks: note completion, matching, short answers.
Practice
What do you hear in Part 4?
Part 4 is one speaker on an academic topic. Parts 1 and 2 are everyday English.
How to practise
- Play the sample audio in the Library once, write as you listen, then mark.
- Only then replay with the transcript. A second play during the task trains a skill the exam does not give you.
- Spell names and numbers as they are said. A plural you missed is a lost mark.
Practice
You hear each recording once only.
There is no second play. Train that way, including with the sample audio in the Library.
What this is not
- The recordings here are official sample tasks, not a live test from last Saturday.
- Sources, checked on 19 September 2026: IELTS Academic Listening, sample test questions.
Practice
Match each part to what you hear.
Everyday first, academic second. That order never flips.