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Lately I was thinking a lot about IELTS-Blog and what I should add to it. So far, I’ve decided to continue posting Listening tips, but if you, guys, have better ideas – please let me know.

Anyway, here goes Listening tip # 5 (see the previous 4 under IELTS Preparation>>Listening tips section )

Know your clues

The answer is usually pronounced louder and clearer, it is easier to hear and understand. If you can’t hear something clearly (because the speaker swallows words or whispers), then probably the answer is not there. Practice and you’ll learn to tell the difference.

A good clue to answer is when you hear a repetition of a word, a word being spelled out (G A R F U N K E L) or a number dictated.

The following conversation is a classic example of repetition:

Mary-Joe: “These days there are many changes in our company policy”

Kathy:”Oh, what kind of changes?”

It is clear that the word “changes” is a clue to an answer.

11 thoughts on “Listening tip # 5”

  1. Pingback: IELTS-Blog » Listening tip # 5

  2. Pingback: Listening at a glance | IELTS-Blog

  3. I find it difficult catching up with these sections of listening parts( 1)(section 2 and 3)(2) that’s the conversation sections , diagrams on how to trace a location for instance a speaker says the entrance following the the rigth corner how do i know it.and finally the last section which is section four the speaker starts slowly and ends ut being faster abd confusing. To sum up i want to know the tips/ strategies on how deal with it.

  4. I am facing problem in multiple choice question . Speaker always read all three statements it’s difficult to find which one is correct.

  5. In Listening the speaker might mention all the answers options of a multiple choice question, but if you listen for when they contradict some of the options it will help you understand what option is the correct answer.

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Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and author of several popular IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005 her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target IELTS scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.