Common Tips to Pass IELTS Exam - Listening

Getting 9 bands is a tough job but not impossible. As an IELTS trainer, I have come across a lot of students who work hard but don't possess the adequate skills in passing the exams. Of course, English is essential and IELTS is designed for the same purpose. While coaching my students, I learnt a lot of things and would like to share some of the tips which can help get desired bands.
Listening module is perhaps the best and easiest module of IELTS. It contains four sections and you have to answer forty questions. The difficulty level rises as you cross each section. This implies Section I is easiest and Section IV is the toughest. But, remember, this is not always true.
The basic job is to concentrate, concentrate and concentrate. Listening exam contains questions based on conversation, talk or description. The conversation could be between two or three people. Talk is usually about some event in the school, college, library, playground etc. Description is related to an explanation about a place, lecture, schedule, animals and plants.
Why you need to concentrate? IELTS is easy for native English speakers who are accustomed to the way the language is used, the words and the pronunciation. However, the non-native English speakers need to concentrate on the words spoken and more specifically, the accent. The accent of British, Americans and Australians is different from the accent used by people in Indian subcontinent or elsewhere. Thus, the students appearing for Listening exam have to concentrate on the words, the pronunciation and the language in totality.
The next most important factor is to exercise quickness while answering. Sometimes, two answers are given in the same conversation within a gap of 10-15 seconds. The easiest way is to write abbreviated form and jump to the next or select the options carefully.
There are certain things, I usually advise the students before taking Listening Exam.
• Use Pencil while answering. I don't like people using pens. If the word is overwritten by striking the previous word, its looks dirty. The pencil marks can be easily removed.
• Make a habit of answering in a separate paper and not the question paper. In the exam, separate answer sheet is provided which you can use at the end of exam. Extra 10 minutes are always provided to transfer the answers in answer sheet.
• However, I advise the students to adopt such a manner because there are common mistakes that students make in hurry. They often jot down the answer of Q.5 in Q.4 or Q.6 in Q.7. By using pencils, you can remove the mistakes. However, realizing the mistake after writing all the answers! It's too late...
• It is very important to read the questions carefully. If it has been asked to "write no more than two words", don't exceed two words while answering.
• I always ask the students to answer in capital letters. There is clarity in reading the answers. The vowels are clearly recognized when answers are written in capital letters.
For Listening exam, follow only one fundamental rule. Just concentrate on listening, don't make hurry while listening else you might lose track of the question. Remember, there are no repeats.
Neerja Mehta is a freelance writer with experience in writing on various niches. She also works as an IELTS trainer and coaches students who are planning to study or settle abroad.

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