IELTS Listening Multiple Choice

What are Multiple Choice questions?

IELTS Listening multiple choice questions test whether you can choose the one letter that restates the speaker. A repeated keyword, a different time period, or a first opinion that later changes can all be traps. Here are the main traps to watch for in multiple choice questions.

Strategy:

• Keywords Trap. The correct choice usually paraphrases what the speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to reject an idea or to describe something else. Read every choice before the audio starts and decide what each one would sound like in ordinary speech. Then listen for the meaning instead of the words.
• The Tense Trap. A speaker often describes what a place or a plan used to be, what it is now, and what it will be later. Every choice can be true at a different time, so check which time the question asks about before you decide. Time signals such as used to, at the moment, and next year sort the choices into past, present, and future.
• The Agreement Change Trap. Speakers change their minds while they talk. A first suggestion can sound final, and then the other speaker disagrees, adds a limit, or offers something better. When a speaker corrects themselves, the second answer is the right one. Wait until both speakers accept the same choice. The questions follow the order of the recording, so move on when you lose one rather than replaying it in your head.

Strategy reminder: Keywords Trap. The correct choice usually paraphrases what the speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to reject an idea or to describe something else. Read every choice before the audio starts and decide what each one would sound like in ordinary speech. Then listen for the meaning instead of the words.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Keywords Trap. The correct choice usually paraphrases what the speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to reject an idea or to describe something else. Read every choice before the audio starts and decide what each one would sound like in ordinary speech. Then listen for the meaning instead of the words.

The guide mentions making the plots larger and fixing the fences. Those are suggestions from other people, not the main problem. However and the primary complaint we must address immediately introduce the real issue: a lack of trees and shaded areas. Insufficient protection from the sun paraphrases that idea. The answer is C.

• Eliminate A. This choice repeats make the plots larger. That was a committee suggestion, not the main problem. After however, the guide names the real complaint: no trees or shaded areas.
• Eliminate B. This choice repeats the broken fences. Other people wanted the fences fixed first. The complaint that must be addressed now is the lack of shade.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: Keywords Trap. The correct choice usually paraphrases what the speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to reject an idea or to describe something else. Read every choice before the audio starts and decide what each one would sound like in ordinary speech. Then listen for the meaning instead of the words.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Keywords Trap. The correct choice usually paraphrases what the speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to reject an idea or to describe something else. Read every choice before the audio starts and decide what each one would sound like in ordinary speech. Then listen for the meaning instead of the words.

They mention a terrible mark and formatting mistakes, but those are what they feared, not what happened. They received an A and were incredibly relieved. They expected a severe penalty, so they were surprised by the tutor's leniency. The answer is B.

• Eliminate A. This choice says they were disappointed by a low grade. A terrible mark is what they feared. They received an A and were incredibly relieved.
• Eliminate C. This choice says they were frustrated by formatting rules. Formatting mistakes are what they expected to be punished for. After the feedback, they were surprised by how kind the tutor was.

Correct answer: