Dealing With Part 4 Of the IELTS Listening Test
Zilpah D'Souza Published: March 29, 2025
Candidates may find Part 4 of the IELTS listening test a bit more challenging compared to the other parts. This is because it requires you to follow a lecture or talk, a crucial skill if you plan to work or migrate to an English-speaking country like Canada. You will hear a single speaker discussing a specific topic in detail. Typically, there is only one audio recording for this section, so you must listen to the entire lecture and answer all 10 questions in one go. Here are some suggestions that will help you perform well in Part 4 of the IELTS listening test:
Familiarize yourself with the question types
- The questions in Part 4 are usually fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion.
- Read the instructions carefully and make sure you understand how many words you can write for each answer (e.g., "no more than three words").
Listen for key information
- Pay attention to keywords in the questions. These are often related to important points in the lecture or speech.
- Focus on identifying the main ideas and supporting details in the lecture. In most cases, the answers are directly linked to the key concepts or facts.
Predict the answers
- Before the audio starts, read through the questions quickly. Try to predict what kind of information might fill the gaps.
- This will help you focus on listening for specific details rather than trying to understand everything.
Take notes while listening
- In Part 4, the speaker will talk at a natural speed, so it is important to take quick notes.
- Jot down main ideas, dates, names, or any specific numbers that could be relevant to the answers.
- Do not try to write down everything - just key information that could help you answer the questions.
Do not get stuck on one question
- If you miss an answer, do not panic. Move on to the next question. There is no penalty for skipping, and focusing on the next part of the lecture can help you stay calm.
- You can always go back to the previous question if you have time at the end.
Practice listening to lectures
- To improve your ability to follow academic monologues, listen to a variety of podcasts, TED Talks, or university lectures. This will get you used to the pace, tone, and vocabulary typically used in IELTS Part 4.
- Try to mimic the conditions of the exam by listening without pausing or rewinding.
Pay attention to changes in tone or emphasis
- Speakers in Part 4 may change their tone or stress certain words to highlight important points. This can give you clues about which information to focus on.
- Be alert to these changes—they can help you identify the correct answers.
Check your answers
- At the end of the test, you will have a few minutes to check your answers. Use this time to ensure spelling is correct and that your answers make sense in the context of the passage.
Improve your vocabulary
- Having a wide range of vocabulary will help you understand the speaker, especially when they use academic or subject-specific terms.
- Try to learn new words related to common IELTS topics (e.g., education, environment, technology, etc.).