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IELTS Podcast
In this tutorial, we discuss common traps and skills needed including sample scripts and answers.
We look at:
Four strategies for improving your listening skills and achieving higher bands.
Three common traps to identify in IELTS Listening.
Importance of mastering language structures in IELTS.
Understanding the Listening Exam Sections
The IELTS Listening exam is divided into four sections:
Section 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context.
Section 2: A monologue set in an everyday social context.
Section 3: A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context.
Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject.
Each section gets progressively more challenging, testing a range of listening skills.
Scoring Breakdown
Each section contains 10 questions, making a total of 40 questions. Each correct answer earns one mark. These marks are converted into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Common Question Types
– Multiple Choice
– Matching
– Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling
– Form Completion
– Note Completion
– Table Completion
– Flow-chart Completion
– Summary Completion
Sample IELTS Listening Scripts with Common Traps
1. Script with Contradictory Information
– Contradictory Information: Speakers often provide information and then correct or modify it later.
Script: “The seminar will be held on March 12th. Oh, wait, I just got an update; it’s actually been rescheduled to March 19th.”
Trap Explanation: Initially, the date given is March 12th, but it is later corrected to March 19th. Test takers need to pay attention to this change, as the correct answer will be the final date mentioned.
2. Script with Paraphrasing
– Paraphrasing: Answers may be paraphrased rather than directly lifted from the audio.
Script: “Our library is renowned for its extensive collection of historical documents, many of which date back several centuries.”
Trap Explanation: The answer might not explicitly say “historical documents”. Instead, it could be paraphrased as “ancient manuscripts” or “old records”. The key is to understand the concept rather than looking for exact words.
3. Script with Distractors
– Distractors: Information that is similar but not exactly what the question asks.
Script: “The art class is available on both Monday and Thursday afternoons, but if you want to attend the advanced session, it’s only on Thursday.”
Trap Explanation: The mention of Monday is a distractor. The focus should be on the day when the ‘advanced session’ is available, which is only on Thursday. This tests the ability to filter relevant information from similar-sounding details.
In each of these examples, the challenge lies in identifying and accurately interpreting the key information amidst potential distractions or modifications in the script.
Preparation Strategies
– Reverse Engineering: Start with answer keys to understand how answers are framed.
– Language Structures Mastery: Recognize common phrases or sentence structures to predict answers. For example, dates are often preceded by phrases like “on the”, “from”, or “until”.
–Mock Exams: Identify weaknesses in different sections and types of questions.
– Transcription Practice: Transcribe audio materials to improve listening accuracy.
– Focused Listening: Pay special attention to linkers, as they often signal important information.
Strategies for Achieving Higher Bands
– Band 7 Focus: Concentrate on Sections 1, 2, and 3. Ensure accuracy in these sections as they are generally more manageable.
– Band 8 or 9 Focus: Emphasize Section 4, which is the most challenging. Practice understanding complex academic discourse and specialized vocabulary.
To achieve a Band 8 or 9 in the IELTS Listening exam, focusing on Section 4, which typically involves complex academic discourse, is essential. Here are examples of what this might entail:
Topic Complexity: The content often covers abstract, academic subjects like environmental science, history, or sociology. For instance, a lecture might discuss the implications of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Specialized Vocabulary: The use of technical terms and academic language is common. For example, words like “biodiversity”, “sustainable development”, or “anthropological studies” might be used.
Dense Information: The speech in Section 4 is usually information-rich, requiring careful attention to detail. You might have to listen to explanations of scientific processes or theories.
Inference: Sometimes, the answers require you to infer information from what is said, rather than just picking out facts. For example, understanding the speaker’s attitude or the implications of a certain theory.
Focusing on these aspects and practising with similar materials can help significantly in scoring high in the most challenging part of the IELTS Listening exam.
Sample Scripts for Section 4 of the IELTS Listening Exam
1. Topic Complexity: Environmental Science
Script: “Today’s lecture focuses on the alarming rate of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. Recent studies have linked this phenomenon primarily to the rise in sea temperatures, exacerbated by global warming.”
Explanation: This script tackles an environmental issue (coral bleaching) with a specific focus (Great Barrier Reef), requiring an understanding of ecological concepts and their global impact.
2. Specialized Vocabulary: Sociology
Script: “Sociological research often employs qualitative methodologies to explore the dynamics of social stratification, particularly in urban settings.”
Explanation: This script uses specialized terms like “qualitative methodologies”, “social stratification”, and “urban settings”, typical of academic discourse in sociology.
3. Dense Information: History
Script: “The Renaissance, a period marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, was characterized by a revival in art, literature, and learning, based on classical sources.”
Explanation: The script is dense with historical information about the Renaissance, requiring listeners to parse through detailed descriptions of this era.
4. Inference: Psychology
Script: “While discussing the theory of cognitive dissonance, it’s crucial to note that individuals often experience discomfort when their beliefs clash with new information, leading to an alteration in their attitudes or behaviour.”
Explanation: Here, listeners must infer the psychological implications of cognitive dissonance theory, namely, how it affects individual beliefs and behaviours.
Each of these scripts demonstrates the kind of advanced listening skills required for high band scores in Section 4 of the IELTS Listening test.
By understanding the structure, familiarizing yourself with common traps, and strategically preparing, you can significantly improve your performance in the IELTS Listening exam.
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