IELTS Listening Multiple Selection

What are Multiple Selection questions?

IELTS Listening multiple selection questions test whether you can choose every letter the speakers accept, and only that many. A repeated keyword, a different time period, or a suggestion that is not finally accepted can all be traps. Here are the main traps to watch for in multiple selection questions.

Strategy:

• Keywords Trap. A correct choice usually paraphrases what a speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to say the thing is not offered. Check how many answers the prompt asks for and mark exactly that many. A third choice that still looks possible earns nothing when only two letters are correct.
• The Tense Trap. A speaker often describes what a place used to offer, what it offers now, and what it plans to offer later. Every choice can be true at a different time, so check which time the question asks about before you mark anything. Time signals such as used to, at the moment, and next year sort the choices into past, present, and future.
• The Agreement Change Trap. In a discussion, a first suggestion is rarely the final answer. One speaker proposes an idea and the other disagrees, adds a limit, or replaces it. When a speaker corrects themselves, the second answer is the right one. Mark a letter only after both speakers accept it, and keep counting until you have the number the prompt asks for. The questions follow the order of the recording, so move on when you lose one.

Strategy reminder: Keywords Trap. A correct choice usually paraphrases what a speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to say the thing is not offered. Check how many answers the prompt asks for and mark exactly that many. A third choice that still looks possible earns nothing when only two letters are correct.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Keywords Trap. A correct choice usually paraphrases what a speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to say the thing is not offered. Check how many answers the prompt asks for and mark exactly that many. A third choice that still looks possible earns nothing when only two letters are correct.

A, B, and E reuse exact words from the audio (free access to the fitness center, individual coaching sessions, complimentary refreshments), but the speaker says the club does not offer them. Drastically reduced prices on all swimsuits and goggles paraphrases discounts on sportswear. The ability to reserve swimming slots at any time of day paraphrases flexible lane booking. The answers are C and D.

• Eliminate A. This choice repeats free access to the fitness center. The speaker says that requires a completely separate gym membership. The club does not include it.
• Eliminate B. This choice repeats individual coaching sessions. The speaker says those are not part of standard entry. You can only pay extra for private lessons.
• Eliminate E. This choice repeats complimentary refreshments. The speaker says the club does not have those at the pool desk. Members get reduced prices on swimwear instead.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: Keywords Trap. A correct choice usually paraphrases what a speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to say the thing is not offered. Check how many answers the prompt asks for and mark exactly that many. A third choice that still looks possible earns nothing when only two letters are correct.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. Keywords Trap. A correct choice usually paraphrases what a speaker says. A choice that repeats a word you heard is often a trap, because the speaker may use that word to say the thing is not offered. Check how many answers the prompt asks for and mark exactly that many. A third choice that still looks possible earns nothing when only two letters are correct.

A, D, and E reuse exact words (confusing user interface, frequent system crashes, incompatible mobile applications), but the speakers reject or disprove them. Took absolutely ages for the pages to load and sluggish paraphrase slow server response times. Fails to provide straightforward guidelines paraphrases a lack of clear instructions. The answers are B and C.

• Eliminate A. This choice repeats confusing user interface. Emma tested the site and says the layout was perfectly logical. They drop that complaint.
• Eliminate D. This choice repeats frequent system crashes. Jack says IT proved the website never went offline. The real problem was slow loading.
• Eliminate E. This choice repeats incompatible mobile applications. Jack says that should not be blamed, because the university has not even released a phone app.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Tense Trap. A speaker often describes what a place used to offer, what it offers now, and what it plans to offer later. Every choice can be true at a different time, so check which time the question asks about before you mark anything. Time signals such as used to, at the moment, and next year sort the choices into past, present, and future.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Tense Trap. A speaker often describes what a place used to offer, what it offers now, and what it plans to offer later. Every choice can be true at a different time, so check which time the question asks about before you mark anything. Time signals such as used to, at the moment, and next year sort the choices into past, present, and future.

The costume room is from previous years and is now closed, so D is past. The archery range is planned for next summer, and the dungeons stay closed until next month, so B and A are future. Re-opened just this morning and newly implemented headphones point to what visitors can use today. The present facilities are C and E.

• Eliminate A. This choice names the underground dungeons. They are being restored and stay blocked off until next month. They are not open today.
• Eliminate B. This choice names the interactive archery range. That facility will launch next summer. It is still being built.
• Eliminate D. This choice names the historical costume room. That was popular for many years, but it closed last winter because of textile damage.

Correct answer:

Strategy reminder: The Agreement Change Trap. In a discussion, a first suggestion is rarely the final answer. One speaker proposes an idea and the other disagrees, adds a limit, or replaces it. When a speaker corrects themselves, the second answer is the right one. Mark a letter only after both speakers accept it, and keep counting until you have the number the prompt asks for. The questions follow the order of the recording, so move on when you lose one.

We'll look at a sample IELTS listening practice.

Sample Question:

Let’s solve it using the strategy.

• Use the strategy. The Agreement Change Trap. In a discussion, a first suggestion is rarely the final answer. One speaker proposes an idea and the other disagrees, adds a limit, or replaces it. When a speaker corrects themselves, the second answer is the right one. Mark a letter only after both speakers accept it, and keep counting until you have the number the prompt asks for. The questions follow the order of the recording, so move on when you lose one.

Liam first suggests the raw survey data table and the interview transcript, which are A and C. Sarah rejects both because of the essay guidelines and the word count. The budget chart is already in the main report, so E is not added. Liam suggests photographs of the focus group and a sample questionnaire, and Sarah clearly accepts both: That sounds great! Let's absolutely add those and Yes, absolutely. No debate there. The final choices are B and D.

• Eliminate A. This choice is Liam's first idea, the raw survey data table. Sarah says primary numbers must go in the main body, so they keep it out of the appendix.
• Eliminate C. This choice is the full interview transcript. Sarah says it would make the document too long, and they leave it out entirely.
• Eliminate E. This choice is the budget distribution chart. Sarah already pasted it into section three of the main report, so they do not add it twice.

Correct answer: