IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions : Practice Test & Tips

• Concise Answers: You are expected to provide very short answers, usually no more than three words, a number, or a date.

• Specific Information: The questions are designed to extract specific details from the recording.

• Word Limits: There is usually a word limit for your answer. For example, "Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER".

• Variety of Topics: These questions can appear in any section of the listening test, covering different topics and contexts.

• Accuracy is Crucial: Spelling and the accuracy of numbers are important, as even a small error may result in losing the mark.

• No Paraphrasing: Unlike some other question types, you need to write exactly what you hear (within the word limits).

• Read Ahead: Before audio starts, read questions carefully to understand.

• Identify Keywords: Underline or mentally note keywords in questions.

• Listen Actively: Focus on listening for specific details, but also understand overall context.

• Note Word Limit: Stick to word limit provided in instructions.

• Write Accurately: Ensure your answers are spelled correctly. 

• Write What You Hear: There is no need to use any paraphrasing, write down exactly.

• Be Careful with Numbers: Listen carefully to pronunciation of numbers.

• Follow the Order: The answers usually appear in the audio in same order as they appear in the questions.

• Don’t Panic: If you miss an answer, don't panic. Focus on next question.

• Fast Speech: Speakers may talk quickly. Practice listening to fast speech in English.
• Distractors: Recordings may include information that seems relevant but is not correct answer.
• Spelling: Pay attention to spelling to avoid losing marks, practice writing down the words you hear frequently.
• Numbers and Dates: Be careful to note correct numbers and years.
• Word Limit: Adhere to given word limits. Answers that are too long will not score marks.

The IELTS Short Answer questions comes up lots in IELTS Listening. You can find them in any part of the listening test. Mostly they in section 2, which is a monologue in social situations.

Example Short Answer Question in Listening:

Suppose the reading transcripts is this:

"The lecture will be on third floor, at 10:30 am. If you got questions, email the tutor. Don’t forget bring your books with you, you gonna use them."

Here some Short Answer questions maybe asked:

Where the lecture held?

Answer: Main hall

What time it start?

Answer: 10:30 am

What you need bring?

Answer: books

Practice Tips:

• IELTS Practice Tests: Do short answer questions with official IELTS material, helps to know format.
• Listen to Podcasts or Audiobooks: Hear English podcasts or audiobooks, try find key info.
• Transcribe Short Clips: Write small audio clips down, get better at listening and notes.
• Review Mistakes: Look mistakes pattern, work on them parts.

Also read: IELTS Reading Tips

Below some important tips for Short Answer Questions to get better band in IELTS Listening.

Follow the instructions:

Instructions are very important to write right answer on your answer sheet. So always read them first before try any question in IELTS Listening. Instructions always on top of questions.

Answer in the order:

Answers come in same order as questions in paper. It means after you find first answer, next answer will be second, then third, and so on.

Guess the answer:

Try to predict answer before you listen audio. Like what type of word needed – adjective, adverb, noun, number, date, etc. This help you find correct answer fast.

Look for paraphrasing synonyms:

Questions don’t always use same words as audio. Look for synonyms or paraphrased words. Don’t waste time find exact word in recording, it just waste time.

Focus on your vocabulary:

Important to know many words you hear in IELTS Listening Test. Read journals, magazines, listen podcasts or news in English without subtitles. This tip help in IELTS Writing Test and IELTS Speaking Test too.

Look out for distractors:

Words like always, some, although, however, but, and can distract you and change meaning. Be careful with these words so you don’t lose audio flow, otherwise correct answer hard to find.

Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

1. How much does it cost to join the library?
2. When will Louise's card be ready?

Answers:

1. $25/ twenty-five dollars / 25 dollars (refundable)
Explanation: MR MAX tells LOUISE: Oh, and I nearly forgot, the membership fee. $25, refundable if you leave the library for any reason.

2. next week / in a week / in one week / the following week
Explanation: MR MAX tells LOUISE: You can borrow videos now if you like, but your card won't be ready until next week.

This article shows how the Short Answer Questions can be challenging but if above essential Tips are applied in the paper then it becomes less daunting to find the answers.By watching FREE Online IELTS Videos you can learn more about the IELTS Listening in detail.