IELTS: Tips For Scoring 8 In Listening

INTRODUCTION

Getting that coveted band-score of 8 in the IELTS listening test does appear a daunting task – however, with the tips that we’ve curated for you, you’ll soon be well on your way to achieving it!

Tasks in the Listening Test

In each task, you will be made to listen to a recorded passage of information. In relation to the passage, you will be given a series of questions to answer/tasks to complete. There will be four such tasks.

The types of questions/tasks include – multiple choice questions, completing a chart of information (such as a time-table), fill-in-the-blanks etc.

Each of these tasks are designed to test your ability to comprehend information spoken in English, on the basis of which to make connections of meaning in order to answer the given questions.

Tips to Score an 8

1. Build Vocabulary

Vocabulary skills involve knowing a large number of words and more importantly, what they mean; it also involves knowing how to spell the words correctly, and the appropriate way to use them in a sentence. For the tasks described above, you will need a strong vocabulary – first, to comprehend the recorded passage correctly; second, to perform the task/answer the questions correctly.

A few ways in which you can build your vocabulary include:

• Read widely and whatever you can, particularly reading material of good quality, on topics that are often used in IELTS tasks, such as Environment, Entertainment, Education, and so on.

• Watch/Listen, particularly to news channels and other informative programmes, and good movies. For the listening test this is particularly important, as you must be able to comprehend English spoken with native speaker accent i.e. usually a British accent.

• Note down in a note-pad or journal, the new words you learn which you believe are of immediate relevance to the topics mentioned above.

2. Practice!

The most essential thing to do is to practice. Attempt as many mock IELTS tests as you can – ideally, a minimum of 6-7. As you practise, keep the following things in mind:

• Before you begin, skim through the questions: it will give you a clue as to the kind of information that you will hear. It will also enable you to maintain a framework of the questions in your mind as you listen to the passage.

• Next, listen to the passage carefully: pay close attention to what is being said, and note down the details as soon as you hear them. Use a pencil to mark the answers. You will have time later to transfer the final answers on to the answer sheet.

• Familiarise yourself with the question patterns: the more tests you practise with, the more familiar you will become with the kinds of questions asked, and will accordingly be able to find the answers quickly and efficiently.

With these tips, by the time the IELTS exam rolls around, you will be well-prepared and ready to ace it!

At Hurray, we have trainers specialising in IELTS training, providing you both IELTS Classroom Training and IELTS Online Training to help you hone these skills and put them into practice. With our experience and our specially-curated programme framework, we have an excellent track-record of helping our students achieve the perfect 8 score – and we can help you too!

To learn more, reach out to us via email: info@hurrayedutech.com or phone: 8971357938 for more!