1. Introduction to IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions

 

IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions can be easily seen in IELTS Listening parts 2, 3, and sometimes parts 1, 4. Three or four options will be given in each question, but only one of them is correct. Obviously, your task is to choose which choice is the final answer and give you one point. 

 

There are normally four kinds of formats of this question type:

 

  • Short Answer Multiple Choice Questions: a question with options in short form.

 

short answer multiple choice questions

 

  • Sentence completion Multiple Choice Questions: an incomplete sentence with options that make up a complete thought  and you need to choose only one answer

 

sentence completion multiple choice questions

 

  • Matching pictures Multiple Choice Questions: a sentence with options in the form of pictures and you need to choose only one answer

 

matching pictures multiple choice questions ielts listening 

  • More-than-one-answer Multiple Choice Questions: a question with about four to seven options and you need to choose two to four answers

 

more-than-one-answer multiple choice questions ielts listening

 

Whilst listening to the audio, you have to analyse the questions and comprehend what the speaker is talking about at the same time in order to choose the correct information from the recording. 

 

Although the difficulty of multiple choice questions in the IELTS Listening test is undisputed, you can conquer it successfully with a suitable strategy. That’s what this article can help you with.

 

2. IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions Strategies

 

2.1. Read the instructions carefully

 

Take a look at the instructions to identify what type of Multiple Choice Questions you are confronting. Remember to highlight or underline the requirements so that you won’t definitely miss it. 

 

ielts listening multiple choice questions strategies

 

2.2. Read and identify key words in the questions

 

Reading to understand thoroughly each question and their corresponding choices should be prioritized because it can provide a context which you can base on to follow the recording and give the correct answer. Besides, underlining or highlighting key words in multiple choice questions as well as options is a good way to locate information while listening. Try to look for the differences among options.

 

ielts listening multiple choice questions strategies

 

Nevertheless, you should get used to synonyms or paraphrases and do not expect the exact same words in the audio. As a result, thinking of the possible synonyms or paraphrases for changeable words in advance can save your time and boost the chance to mark a point. 

 

You can prepare for your IELTS test by using our free IELTS online tests on this website.

 

2.3. Predict the answers

 

You can have a prediction on those questions based on the context, meaning, grammar, etc. and note down the possible answer. Otherwise, you can rub out the probably wrong options instead. 

 

For example, in the question below, option C seems to be too subjective, you should consider it not the final answer for the question. So, the possible answer may be option A or B.

 

2.4.  Listen and choose the correct answers

 

It’s time for you to listen to the audio and give the answer to each question.

 

2.5. Double-check answers

 

Take advantage of the last 10 minutes of the Listening test to recheck the answers while transferring them to the answer sheet. Don’t forget that your answer will be a letter, not a word.   

 

>>> Read more: IELTS Listening Matching Questions

 

3. Tips for IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions

 

 

tips for multiple choice questions in ielts listening

  • Read the instructions in the first place. Be careful with the number of options you can choose, and remember that your answers will be normally a letter, not a word.

 

  • Take advantage of synonyms and paraphrases for changeable keywords and you may catch the information of the questions more effortlessly

 

  • Listen in detail to the information and notice the contrast words such as however, but, except, apart from, etc. (e.g. The coach will be returning to the hotel at 5.30 p.m. No, sorry, we’ve changed it to 6 o’clock to avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic.) because the speaker may alter his or her opinion

 

  • Keep listening after locating the information since the speaker may change the answer or add more details then

 

  • Focus on the meaning of the audio instead of instantly looking for the keywords and trying to match them with the questions

 

  • Don’t choose the first word you can hear immediately because normally words from all options will be mentioned in the recording. Therefore, you need to listen carefully to all the options and decide what is the final answer

 

  • Practice more with your reading skill as there is much more information to read in terms of multiple choice questions and the more quickly you can read and understand different options, the more chance for you to get a point.

 

  • Take your time to prepare for the next part of the Listening test in place of checking answers right away. It is more fundamental to understand the questions and options in detail.

 

To try out these strategies and useful tips for IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions, install IELTS TEST PRO now and practice with us!