IELTS Listening Sample
Tasks
The IELTS Listening test includes a variety of tasks. Different question types are used,chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling,
form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.
Read the details of each task type on our Test format page.

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS; andCambridge University Press & Assessment

Page 1 of 33

IELTS.org

Contents
Listening Sample Task – Form Completion ..................................................................... 3
Listening Sample Task – Form Completion (Recording and Tapescript) ...................... 4
Listening Sample Task – Form Completion (Answers) ................................................... 7
Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice ........................................................................ 8
Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice (Recording and Tapescript) ......................... 9
Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice (Answers) .................................................... 10
Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions ....................................................... 11
Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions (Recording and Tapescript) ........ 12
Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions (Answers) ..................................... 13
Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion ............................................................ 14
Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion (Recording and Tapescript) ............. 15
Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion (Answers) .......................................... 17
Listening Sample Task – Matching 1 .............................................................................. 18
Listening Sample Task – Matching 1 (Recording and Tapescript) ............................... 19
Listening Sample Task – Matching 1 (Answers) ............................................................ 21
Listening Sample Task – Matching 2 .............................................................................. 22
Listening Sample Task – Matching 2 (Recording and Tapescript) ............................... 23
Listening Sample Task – Matching 2 (Answers) ............................................................ 25
Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling ................................................ 26
Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling (Recording and Tapescript) . 27
Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling (Answers) .............................. 28
Listening Sample Task – Note Completion ................................................................... 29
Listening Sample Task – Note Completion (Recording and Tapescript) .................... 31
Listening Sample Task – Note Completion (Answers) .................................................. 33
Page 2 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Form Completion
PART 1
Questions 1 – 8Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

PACKHAM’S SHIPPING AGENCY – customer quotation
form
ExampleK...e..n..y...a….
.

Country ofdestination:
Name:
Address to be collected
from:
Town
:
Postcode:

Jacob 1
…………
…………
Rd
3

College, Downlands

Bristol…………

Size ofcontainer:

Length:1.5m

Width: 4…………
Contents:

Height: 5…………

clothes
6 ………

…
7 ………
Total estimated value: 8£…………

Page 3 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Form Completion(Recording and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear a telephone conversation between a customer and an agent at acompany which ships large boxes overseas.
A Good morning. Packham’s Shipping Agents. Can I help you?
B Oh yes, I’m ringing to make enquiries about sending a large box, a container,
back home to Kenya from the UK.
A Yes, of course. Would you like me to try and find some quotations for you?
B Yes, that’d be great. Thank you.
A Well first of all, I need a few details from you.
B Fine.
A Can I take your name?
B It’s Jacob Mkere.
A Can you spell your surname, please?
B Yes, it’s M-K-E-R-E.
A Is that ‘M’ for mother?
B Yes.
A Thank you, and you say that you will be sending the box to Kenya?
B That’s right.
A And where would you like the box picked up from?
B From college, if possible.

Page 4 of 33

IELTS.org

A Yes, of course. I’ll take down the address now.
B It’s Westall College.
A Is that W-E-S-T-A-L-L?
B Yes, ... college.
A Westall College. And where’s that?
B It’s Downlands Road, in Bristol.
A Oh yes, I know it. And the postcode?
B It’s BS8 9PU.
A Right ... and I need to know the size.
B Yes, I’ve measured it carefully and it’s 1.5m long ...
A Right.
B 0.75m wide ...
A OK.
B And it’s 0.5m high or deep.
A Great. So I’ll calculate the volume in a moment and get some quotes for that.
But first can you tell me, you know, very generally, what will be in the box?
B Yes there’s mostly clothes.
A OK. [writing down]
B And there’s some books.
A OK. Good. Um ... Anything else?
B Yes, there’s also some toys.
A OK and what is the total value, do you think, of the contents?

Page 5 of 33

IELTS.org

B Well the main costs are the clothes and the books – they’ll be about £1500 but
then the toys are about another two hundred – so I’d put down £1700.

Page 6 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Form Completion (Answers)
1

Mkere

2

Westall3

BS8 9PU4

0.75 m/metre(s)/meter(s) (wide) / three(-)quarter(s) (of) (a) metre/meter (wide)/¾ m (wide) / 75 cm(s) (wide)

5

0.5 m/metre(s)/meter(s) (high/deep) / (a) half (a) metre/meter (high/deep) /½ m (high/deep) / 50 cm(s) (high/deep)

6 & 7 in either order(some) books(some) toys
8

1,700

Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary. Alternative answers are
separated by a slash (/).

Page 7 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice
PART 1
Questions 9 and 10
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
9Type of insurance chosen
A
B
C

10

EconomyStandard
Premium

Customer wants goods delivered toA
BCPage 8 of 33

port
home
depot

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice (Recording
and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript(A customer has been arranging with a shipping agent to send a large box overseas. This is
the last part of the conversation.)
A OK right. Now obviously insurance is an important thing to consider and ourcompanies are able to offer very good rates in a number of different allinclusive packages.
B Sorry, could you explain a bit more?
A Yes, sorry, um. There’s really three rates according to quality of insurance cover– there’s the highest comprehensive cover which is Premium rate, then there’sStandard rate and then there’s Economy rate. That one will only cover the costof the contents second hand.
B Oh I’ve been stung before with Economy insurance so I’ll go for the highest.
A Mh’hm and can I just check would you want home delivery or to a local depot orwould you want to pick it up at the nearest port?
B The port’d be fine – I’ve got transport that end.
A Fine and will you be paying by credit card?
B Can I pay by cheque?

Page 9 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Multiple Choice (Answers)
9

C

10

A

Page 10 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions
PART 2
Questions 11 – 16
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

What TWO factors can make social contact in a foreign country difficult?
•

11 ...............................

•

12 ...............................

Which types of community group does the speaker give examples of?
•theatre•13 ..................................

•

14 ..................................

In which TWO places can information about community activities be found?
•

15 ..................................

•

16 ..................................

Page 11 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions(Recording and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear an extract from a talk given to a group who are going to stay in the UK.
Good evening, and welcome to the British Council. My name is John Parker and I’ve
been asked to talk to you briefly about certain aspects of life in the UK before you
actually go there. So I'm going to talk first about the best ways of making social
contacts there. Now you might be wondering why it should be necessary. After all,we meet people all the time. But when you’re living in a foreign country it can be
more difficult, not just because of the language, but because customs may bedifferent.
If you’re going to work in the UK you will probably be living in private
accommodation, so it won’t be quite so easy to meet people. But there are still things
that you can do to help yourself. First of all, you can get involved in activities in yourlocal community, join a group of some kind. For example, you’ll probably find that
there are theatre groups who might be looking for actors, set designers and so on, or
if you play an instrument you could join music groups in your area. Or if you like theidea of finding out about local history there’ll be a group for that too. These are justexamples. And the best places to get information about things like this are either the
town hall or the public library. Libraries in the UK perform quite a broad range offunctions nowadays – they’re not just confined to lending books, although that’s theirmain role of course.

Page 12 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Short-answer Questions(Answers)
11 & 12in either orderlanguagecustoms

13 & 14in either ordermusic (groups)
local history (groups)

15 & 16in either order(the) (public) library/libraries(the) town hall

Words in brackets are optional - they are correct, but not necessary. Alternative answers are
separated by a slash (/).

Page 13 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion
PART 3
Questions 27 – 30
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Studying with the Open University demanded a great deal of 27 …………………… .
Studying and working at the same time improved Rachel’s 28 …………………… skills.
It was helpful that the course was structured in 29 …………………… .
She enjoyed meeting other students at 30 …………………… .

Page 14 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion(Recording and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
Two friends, Rachel and Paul, are discussing studying with the Open University. Rachel has
already done a course at the university, but Paul has not. The extract relating to thesequestions comes from the last part of the recording.
Paul

The other thing I wanted to ask you was, did you find it hard, studying
with the Open University?

Rachel You mean, because you’re studying on your own, most of the time?
Paul

Mm.

Rachel Well it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain ahigh level of motivation, because it’s so different from school. There’s noone saying, ‘Why haven’t you written your assignment yet?' and that sortof thing.
Paul

Oh dear.

Rachel You’ll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at timemanagement because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
Paul

Well I’m hoping to change to working part-time, so that’ll help.

Rachel What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you cantake time off between them if you need to. It isn’t like a traditional threeor four-year course, where you’ve got to do the whole thing of it in one go.
PaulThat’s good, because I’d like to spend six months travelling next year.

Rachel Huh, it’s all right for some. Then even though you’re mostly studying athome, remember you’ve got tutors to help you, and from time to time
there are summer schools. They usually last a week. They’re great,because you meet all the other people struggling with the same things asyou. I’ve made some really good friends that way.

Page 15 of 33

IELTS.org

Paul

Page 16 of 33

Sounds good. So how do I apply?

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Sentence Completion(Answers)
27

motivation

28

time(-)management

29

modules30

summer school(s)Page 17 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 1
PART 3
Questions 21 – 25
What does Jack tell his tutor about each of the following course options?
A

He'll definitely do it.

B

He may or may not do it.

CHe won't do it.

Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to questions 21- 25.
You may choose any letter more than once.

21

Media Studies

22

Women and Power

23

Culture and Society

24

Identity and Popular Culture

25

Introduction to Cultural Theory

Page 18 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 1 (Recording andTapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear a Communication Studies student talking to his tutor about optional courses
for the next semester.
Dr RayCome in. Oh hello Jack. Have a seat. Right ... you said you wanted to seeme to talk about your options next semester?

Jack

That's right. We have to decide by the end of next week. Really, I'd like to
do all five options but we have to choose two, don't we.

Dr RayYes, but the choice depends on your major to some extent. You're
majoring in Communication Studies, aren't you?

Jack

That's right.

Dr RaySo for example the Media Studies Option will cover quite a lot of thesame area you did in the core module on mass communications thissemester - the development of the media through the last two centuries,
in relation to political and social issues.

Jack

Mmm. Well that was interesting, but I’ve decided I'd rather do something
completely new. There's a Women's Studies option, isn't there?

Dr RayYes, 'Women and Power' – again it has a historical focus, it aims tocontextualise women's studies by looking at the legal and social situationin the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries …

Jack

So it would be useful if I intended to specialise in women's studies ... but
I'm not sure I do actually.

Dr RayWell, it might still be useful to give you an idea of the issues involved. It'staught by Dr Steed.

Jack

Oh, really? I'll sign up for that, then. What about the option on Culture
and Society?

Page 19 of 33

IELTS.org

Dr Ray

That addresses the historical debate on the place of culture since theIndustrial Revolution in Britain.

Jack

So a historical focus again ...

Dr RayDo I get the message you're not so keen on history?

Jack

Well, it's just we seem to have done quite a lot this semester … anyway
I'll think about that one.

Dr RayIf you're interested in a course focusing on current issues there's theoption on Identity and Popular Culture – that approaches the subject
through things like contemporary film, adverts, soap operas and so on.

Jack

Oh? That sounds interesting. Can you tell me who runs it?

Dr RayWell, it's normally Dr Stevens but he's on sabbatical next semester, so
I'm not sure who'll be running it. It should be decided by next weekthough.

Jack

Right, well I might wait until then to decide ... And the last option is
Introduction to Cultural Theory, isn't it. I'm quite interested in that too – I
was talking to one of the second year students, and she said it was really
useful, it made a lot of things fall into place.

Dr RayYes, but in fact in your major, you'll have covered a lot of that already inCommunications 102, so that might be less useful than some of theothers.

Jack

Oh, I'll forget about that one, then.

Dr RayNow while you're here, we could also discuss how you're getting on withyour Core Module assignment ...

Page 20 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 1 (Answers)
21

C

22

A

23

B

24

B

25

C

Page 21 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 2
PART 1
Questions 1 – 4Which hotel matches each description?
Choose your answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-E, next to questions 1-4.
The Bridge Hotel
Carlton House
The Imperial
The Majestic
The Royal Oak
1

is in a rural area……………….

2

only opened recently……………….

3

offers facilities for business functions……………….

4

has an indoor swimming pool……………….

Page 22 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 2 (Recording andTapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear a man talking to an official at a tourist information office.
Official Can I help you?
Man

Yes, I was wanting somewhere to stay for a few days - a four- or five-star
hotel. Can you tell me something about the possibilities?

Official OK, right, well there are five hotels that might interest you. Were you
wanting a city centre location, or would you be interested in something a
bit further out?
Man

Well, I do have a car so I could go for either.

Official Well, there are two central hotels in the range you're looking for – there's
Carlton House and The Imperial, they're both near the main square, but if
you've got your own transport you might be interested in the Royal Oak –that’s out in the country, about ten kilometres away, very peaceful. Then
there's the Bridge hotel and the Majestic – they're both in town but not in
the centre, they're out on the airport road.
Man

Mmm that might be a bit far out actually. OK, now the other two you
mentioned, in the city centre. Can you tell me a bit about them?

Official Well, they're both excellent hotels. If you want something with a bit ofcharacter, Carlton House is quite unusual – it's a very old building thatwas originally a large private house. It was bought by the Vannis chain
and they completely refurbished it – they took their first guests just a few
months ago but it's already got an excellent reputation. That's a five-star
hotel. Or there's the Imperial, which is a much more modern building.
That also has its own gym and it also has internet connection andmeetings rooms – it's used for conferences and corporate events as wellas private guests. That's five-star as well.
Man

Does it have a swimming pool as well as a gym?

Official No – the Royal Oak has an outdoor pool, which is lovely in the summer,
but the only hotel with an indoor pool is the Bridge Hotel. It doesn't have

Page 23 of 33

IELTS.org

a gym though. The Majestic is planning to build a swimming pool and afitness centre, but it's not finished yet.
Man

Page 24 of 33

I see. Well, I think I'll probably go for one of the city centre hotels.

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Matching 2 (Answers)
1

E

2

B

3

C

4

A

Page 25 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling
PART 2
Questions 11-15
Label the plan below.
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letters, A-I, next to questions
11-15.

Page 26 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling(Recording and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear the librarian of a new town library talking to a group of people who are
visiting the library.
OK everyone. So here we are at the entrance to the town library. My name is Ann,and I'm the chief librarian here, and you'll usually find me at the desk just by themain entrance here. So I'd like to tell you a bit about the way the library is organised,
and what you'll find where … and you should all have a plan in front of you. Well, as
you see my desk is just on your right as you go in, and opposite this the first room on
your left has an excellent collection of reference books and is also a place where
people can read or study peacefully. Just beyond the librarian's desk on the right is aroom where we have up to date periodicals such as newspapers and magazines andthis room also has a photocopier in case you want to copy any of the articles. If you
carry straight on you'll come into a large room and this is the main library area. Thereis fiction in the shelves on the left, and non-fiction materials on your right, and on the
shelves on the far wall there is an excellent collection of books relating to local
history. We're hoping to add a section on local tourist attractions too, later in theyear. Through the far door in the library just past the fiction shelves is a seminarroom, and that can be booked for meetings or talks, and next door to that is thechildren's library, which has a good collection of stories and picture books for theunder elevens. Then there's a large room to the right of the library area – that's themultimedia collection, where you can borrow videos and DVDs and so on, and we
also have CD-Roms you can borrow to use on your computer at home. It was
originally the art collection but that's been moved to another building. And that's
about it – oh, there's also the Library Office, on the left of the librarian's desk. OK,
now does anyone have any questions?

Page 27 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Plan/map/diagram Labelling(Answers)
11

H

12

G

13

D

14

B

15

F

Page 28 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Note Completion
PART 2

Questions 11 – 20

Questions 11 – 16

Page 4 of original Listening paper

Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE
Well known for:11 …………………

Complex consists of:concert rooms
theatrescinemasart galleries
public library
restaurants
12 …………………

Historical background:1940 – area destroyed by bombs
1960s – Centre was 13 …………………
In 14........................... .. - opened to public

Managed by:

15 …………………

Open:

16 ......................... days per year

Page 29 of 33

IELTS.org

Questions 17 – 20

Page 5 of original Listening paper

Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Day

Time

Event

Venue

Ticket priceMonday andTuesday

7.30 p.m.

‘The Magic Flute’(opera by Mozart)

17 ……………

from £8.00

Wednesday

8.00 p.m.

18 ‘……………’(Canadian film)

Cinema 2

19 ……………

Saturday and
Sunday11 a.m. to
10 p.m.

20 ‘……………’(art exhibition)

Gallery 1

freePage 30 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Note Completion (Recording
and Tapescript)
Link to Recording
Tapescript
You will hear a man talking on the radio about a National Arts Centre.
Hello, and welcome to “Focus on the Arts”. I’m your host - Dave Green - and this is
your very own local radio programme. Every Friday evening we put the spotlight on
different arts and culture facilities, and look at the shows and events that are on offer
in the coming week.
And today the focus is on The National Arts Centre. Now, if you don’t already know it
yourself, I’m sure you’ve all heard of it. It’s famous throughout the world as one of
the major venues for classical music.
But did you know that it’s actually much more than just a place to hear concerts? The
Centre itself is a huge complex that caters for a great range of arts. Under a single
roof it houses concert rooms, theatres, cinemas, art galleries and a wonderful public
library, as well as service facilities including 3 restaurants and a book shop. So, at any
one time, the choice of entertainment there is simply enormous.
So, how did they manage to build such a big arts complex right in the heart of thecity? Well, the area was completely destroyed by bombs during the war in 1940. So,
the opportunity was taken to create a cultural centre that would be, what they called:‘the City’s gift to the Nation’. Of course, it took a while for such a big project to getstarted, but it was planned in the 60s, built in the 70s and eventually opened to the
public in 1983. Ever since then it has proved to be a great success. It’s not privately
owned, like many arts centres, but is still in public hands: - it’s run by the City Council.
Both our National Symphony Orchestra and National Theatre Company wereinvolved in the planning of the project, and they are now based there - giving regularperformances every week - and as the Centre is open 363 days of the year, there areplenty of performances to choose from.
Pause
So, to give you some idea of what’s on, and to help you choose from the many
possibilities, we’ve made a selection of the star attractions.
If you’re interested in classical music, then we recommend you go along to the
National on either Monday or Tuesday evening at 7.30 for a spectacular productionof ‘The Magic Flute’ - probably the most popular of all Mozart’s operas. It’s in the
Garden Hall and tickets start at only £8.00, but you’ll have to be early if you want toPage 31 of 33

IELTS.org

get them that cheap! And remember, it’s only on for those two evenings.
For those more interested in the cinema, you might like to see the new Canadian film
which is showing on Wednesday evening at 8pm in Cinema 2. And that’s called ‘Three
Lives.’ It’s had fantastic reviews and tickets cost just £4.50, which is a reduction on theusual price of £5.50. So it’s really good value, especially for such a great movie.
But you can see the centre’s main attraction at the weekend, because on Saturday
and Sunday, 11am to 10pm, they’re showing a wonderful new exhibition that hasn’t
been seen anywhere else in Europe yet. It’s a collection of Chinese Art called ‘Faces ofChina’ - that’s in Gallery 1 - and it has some really fascinating paintings andsculptures by leading artists from all over China - and the good news is that it’scompletely free, so don’t miss it!
So, why not go along to the National Arts Centre next week for one - or all - of thesegreat events - and you can always pick up a programme and check out all the otherperformances and exhibitions on offer, or coming soon, on almost every day of theyear.
Next week we’ll be looking at the new Museum of Science …

Page 32 of 33

IELTS.org

Listening Sample Task – Note Completion (Answers)
11

classical music (concerts)/ (classical) (music) concerts

12(a) bookshop / (a) bookstore

13

planned14

1983 / (the) 1980s

15(the) City Council

16

363

17

(the) Garden Hall

18

Three Lives

19

£4.50

20

Faces of China

Page 33 of 33

IELTS.org