6 – Classification

This question type tests your ability to identify associations and relations between facts in the listening text. You are required to classify information by matching a numbered list of items from the listening text. Classifications are normally according to the speaker’s view(s) or to a period of time or place. You may be asked to write a letter which corresponds to one of the classifications next to each item in a list of statements. Or the question might ask you to circle a letter in a table. 

To do well in this question type make sure you know the number of classifications and what letters you have to use. Read the statements and expressions carefully, they may be articulated in a different way in the listening text and might use synonyms. Underline important words in the classifications and the questions and concentrate on the words you have underlined during listening.

Below is the example provided for your better understanding of this type of questions.

Model – Classification

Q1: Write the appropriate letters A-C against questions 9-12.

Q2: Where do you get the following services?

Q3:Where are the following tourist attractions?

5 – Labelling a Diagram, Plan or Map

In this task you will be provided a map or a diagram and you have to complete labels given in the listening text. The diagram or map may include a set of pictures, a plan of a building or a map of a city. 

You will be provided a list on the question paper usually a box of words or expressions from which to select the labels. If you are not provided with a box of labels then you will be instructed on the word limit, so make sure you read the instructions carefully to find out how many words you are supposed to use for your answer. The information given will be in the same order as the numbers on the diagram. You must write the words from the listening text and do not use your own words as your answer.

Model 1 – Labelling a Diagram, Plan or Map

Label the map below.

Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter A-G next to questions 11-14.

	A Admin offices B gaming room for the workers C health centre D café E kitchen F library

 

4 – Sentence Completion

In this question type you will be given a set of incomplete sentences and you will have to complete a gap in each sentence using information from the listening text. Read the instruction for word limit. Generally you have to write three words or less. You must take words from the listening text, write them on the question paper and then transfer on the answer sheet at the end. 

Questions may also appear in a table. Pay attention to your grammar particularly in this type of questions and if you are not sure of the answer to a question make a little note next to that question and attempt an intelligent guess at the end.

Below are the examples provided for your better understanding of this type of questions.

Model – Sentence Completion

Q1: Tour services run …..…....trips every month.

Q2:  ……………..costs $150.

Q3: For more information on the tours visit our ……………….

3-Short Answer questions

3-Short answer questions

In this task type you will be given a question to which you have to write a short answer using information from the listening text. Sometimes you may be given a question which requires you to list two or three points. You will be instructed on a word limit, typically no more than three words and/or a number. In short answer questions, if you cannot answer a question do not just leave it, place some words in the blanks, but not more than three. 


Read the instructions carefully and determine the context of the conversation. If you are not sure about the meaning of a word in the questions, you can guess it by looking at other questions that might have some related vocabulary.


Below are the examples provided for your better understanding of this type of questions.

Model 1– Short-answer Questions

Answer the questions below;

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

How often the Bus services run for Lahore?

………………………………………..

What time the bus leaves for Lahore?

……………………………………………

Model 2– Short-answer Questions

List THREE things which Ali wants to take on the trip

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

1………………………………………………………………… 

2………………………………………………………………… 

3………………………………………………………………… 

  

Listening 2-Multiple Choice Questions

2-Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice questions test your ability to demonstrate a complete understanding of particular points or an overall understanding of the key points of the listening text. To accomplish this task, you will have to choose the best answer from three choices A, B or C and to write the letter of the correct answer on the Answer Sheet. There will be more options then questions, one option will be correct and others might look possible but will in fact be incorrect. 

In this type of questions sometimes you have to choose more than one answer to get one mark and sometimes you are required to choose more than one answer and each answer is worth one mark. So it is important to read the instructions carefully to avoid misunderstanding what is required. After you make sure how many letters you are required to circle, look through the questions quickly and underline the important words in questions. You should be able to predict the sort of information you are going to hear from the words of the questions and/or pictures.

Below are the examples provided for your better understanding of this type of questions.

Model 1 – with one answer required
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Q: The ‘interpersonal skills’ workshop lasts for

A	One day
B	Two days
C	Three days

Model 2 – with more than one answer required

Choose TWO letters A-E.

Q: Which TWO facilities did the employees request on premises?

A	a health centre
B	a recreation hall
C	a cafeteria
D	a kitchen
E	a reception

Listening Question Types (1Summary Completion)

1 – Form/Notes/Table/Flow-chart/Summary Completion

In this type of questions you have to fill in the blank spaces in a sketch of the listening text. 

There are two type of these completion questions

Type 1 with a Selected List

In this type you may be given a list of possible answers to choose from. This type of questions requires you to put in missing words or phrases in the middle or at the end of a sentence.You may have to write a letter that represents a word or a phrase. To do well in this task you must find out the missing words from the recording which fit into the form/notes etc. and you should not change the words from the recording in any case.  

Read the questions and example carefully. Underline keywords in questions and in any possible choices given. This will help you in predicting and preparing for what you will be listening out for when the recording begins. Also you must stay within the word limit stated in the instructions. 

In case you get a table or a diagram in question, read the information given on both the horizontal and vertical axis. Quickly locate the question numbers in a table or diagram and see the information given parallel to these numbers. Usually the conversation in these kinds of tables and diagrams is in sequence regardless it is horizontal or vertical.

Type 2 Without a selected list

These questions involve general information or specific details, without a selected list of options, which you will have to find by listening. You may be instructed to write your answers in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. So you can answer with one, two or three words but not more than three words. Writing four words will mark your answer as wrong even though your answer is correct.

Read all the instructions carefully and make sure you look at the examples. Browse through the questions quickly during the 30 seconds provided to read the questions and underline the significant words in questions, this way you will be able to predict the type of information you are going to hear. By doing this you have also set your ears for the type of specific information you already know you will be listening for. Carefully examine the answer choices for each question as you listen to the text. Do not use contractions in your answers (e.g. I can’t, you shouldn’t). While answering question that require a number, you are allowed to write it as a number (e.g. 50) or a word (e.g. fifty) or a mixture of a numeral and a word (e.g. 50 thousand).   

Below are the examples provided for your better understanding of this type of questions.

Model 1 – summary completion with a list of answers to choose from

Complete the summary below using words from the box. 

Model 1 – Summary completion with a list of answers to choose from

Complete the summary below using words from the box

National Tennis Centre Rialto Towers Aquarium  Museum MCG

Tourist attractions costing less than $10: 6 …………………………and MCG

Tourist attractions which have free entry: 7 …………………………and Rialto Towers

Tourist attractions which are open at night: 8………………………..and Aquarium

Model 2 – Table Completion without the list of answers to choose from

Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Author	Title	Publisher	Year of Publication
Negus	1....................	HarperCollins	2....................
3....................	Speak Smart	The Princeton Review	1998
Brown	The Lost Symbol	4....................	5....................

Listening Test Format

There are four sections in the listening test. Each section has 10 questions making 40 in all. Sections 1 and 2 are based on social survival in an English speaking country and sections 3 and 4 are more education and training oriented

The table below shows how the four sections of the test are divided to asses your English language skills.

Section	Topic Areas	Format	Number of questions
Section 1	Social Needs	Conversation between two speakers	10
Section 2	Social Needs	Speech by one speaker	10
Section 3	Educational or Training	Conversation between up to four speakers	10
Section 4	Educational or Training	Speech by one speaker	10

What to do when you get a Low IELTS Score

If you do not get the IELTS score you wanted or you just
probing about what you can do if you don’t get the IELTS score you need
 You can consider the following options

1. The first option you should consider is whether to try to convince the organisation which demanded this score, possibly the university you want to attend, to still accept you with the current band score. There is a chance if your IELTS result was only slightly less than the requirement, say 0.5.
2. If you have a justified complaint, you can request for a retest. Keeping in mind the test centre will only allow you a retest if it is reasonable. If you have a reasonable complaint you should already have informed the centre by completing a "Test Day Complaint Form" on the day of the test
3. If the marks across the entire test vary by more than 2 bands your IELTS test may already have been re-marked, there is a much less likely scenario that you will increase your score by requesting a further re-mark. If you choose to request a re-mark make sure you do so within six weeks of the date of your IELTS test. Remember re-mark will cost you around two-third of the test fee
4. There is a strong possibility that you score may changeif re-marked. That is if you had any problems during the test e.g. not completing a writing task or being psychologically inundated by nerves during the speaking test. If you are confident that your English level for a module is higher than the score you received and you did the exam to the best of your ability and you believe you can raise your score for that module enough, you should think about asking for that module to be remarked. However, you should not ask for a re-mark for a module that already has a high enough score, there is a risk you may end up getting a lower mark. As the re-marking is done in London, it can sometimes take 8 - 10 weeks.
5. The last choice is to retake the IELTS test. You may have had some problems with timing and could not complete part of the test on the previous test day, and you believe that next time it will be much easier. Focus on your weak areas next time. Make an effort to improve your English if you feel it is needed. You can also look into Improving  your time management during the test

I sincerely hope you wouldn't have to employ any of the options above as you get your required IELTS Result first time. However, do not hesitate to ask for a re-mark if you are confident that it is justified. Nevertheless it is your time, efforts and money you invested in it.

Re-marking

You can apply for a re-evaluation for your IELTS score, if you are not satisfied with the band score you achieved in your IELTS test. You need to fill up Enquiry on Result Form at your test centre. You have to pay a fee for this facility. You can download the Enquiry on Result Form at www.aeo.com.pk or britishcouncil.com.pk Fill in the form acceptably with block letters and clearly state the module you want to get re-marked. Attach the Original TRF and don’t forget to keep a copy.

Test Date Extensions

You may delay your test date, in case you have some medical or compassionate reason charges/conditions apply. You are allowed to extend your date only once. You must apply at least five weeks prior to your test date. You may have to submit some sort of documentary evidence for approval. Check your test centre for details.

Test Results

IELTS results are valid for 2 years. Your IELTS test result will be sent out to you about 2 weeks following the test. You will only get ONE copy of your original TRF (Test Report Form, commonly known as IELTS result). If you need to send your TRF to multiple local or international institutions, your test centre can organise it for a small charge. The original IELTS TRF is sent by courier to you at the address entered on your IELTS application form. Your centre may withhold your test result if you fail to submit the required information or documentation. AEO Pakistan Test centres also offer to send your test result by SMS before you get your original TRF by courier. British council presents online results; you can take advantage of it by checking your result 13 days after your test.

On Test Day

You must report at the test centre, at the time given in your confirmation letter, with your original national identity card and passport, lead pencils, blue or black ballpoint or pen, sharpener, eraser and do not forget to bring along the IELTS test fee receipt. You will not be allowed to take the test if you fail to bring any identification documents or arrive late at the test centre. the test. No result will be issued to candidates who are involved in impersonation and/or misconduct. Before taking the test read “Notice to IELTS Candidate" available inside IELTS application form

IELTS Registration

In Pakistan IELTS is conducted by the British Council and AEO (Australian Education Office).There is no difference between British Council IELTS and AEO IELTS, you can register and take the test with either at your ease. Both sites conduct the same quality IELTS test. 


AEO offices in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore conduct IELTS tests quite frequently. You can get IELTS application form by visiting any of the AEO offices in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad or it can also be downloaded from ielts.org. You can visit the AEO office personally with complete application form to submit your IELTS test application. If there is no AEO office in your city applications can also be sent through Mail or Courier. 


British Council offices in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and Quetta offer IELTS test on a regular basis. Before you submit your application form for an IELTS test make sure you attach a photocopy of your valid National Identity Card or Passport and two recent color(blue back ground)passport size photographs with the IELTS application form. You are also expected to write your full name and signature on the reverse of each photograph. You are supposed to paste one photograph steadily with glue and attach the other one using a paper clip to the IELTS Application form. Both photographs must be identical, colour photographs with a blue background and should not be more than six months old. Black and white photographs will not be accepted. These are the guidelines are for recommendation only. The decision to accept the photographs submitted by a candidate is at the Administrator’s discretion.


PS: Please do not ask me the difference between British Council IELTS exam and IDP (AEO) IELTS exam as there is none, all tests are marked by Cambridge University trained examiners therefore leaves no positive or negative impact on your final band score for either venue

IELTS Quality Assurance

IELTS has a rigorous, quality-assured system for marking every IELTS test. There are trained examiners to mark your test, who follow standardised procedures. The examiners hold appropriate teaching qualifications and are certificated by Cambridge ESOL. Each examiner is tested every two years to retain their certification and they frequently go through trainings. The IELTS incorporated system of hiring, training, benchmarking, certification and monitoring for IELTS examiners makes sure they are fully qualified, experienced and effective

What is IELTS Test

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It assesses your ability to communicate in English in all four language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It is for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. The questions focus on your ability to apply knowledge that you’ve learned in past experiences related to the English Language. More than 6,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organizations around the world recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.



IELTS is owned, developed and delivered through the partnership of the Cambridge ESOL Examinations (English Speakers of Other Languages), British Council, IDP Australia(International Development Program) and IELTS Australia. There are two versions of the IELTS tests that you can do: Academic and General Training. The Academic module of IELTS is for students seeking entry to a university or institution for degree and diploma courses. The General Training Module of IELTS is for students seeking entry to a secondary school or to vocational training courses. General Training Module is also for the candidates who want to apply for the immigration of Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom. Now progressively more American universities have started accepting valid scores in the IELTS. There are currently more than 300 test centres around the world, in over 120 countries. The first three modules- Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day. The Speaking may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, on the same day or up to two days earlier or later.

IELTS is not a test that you can pass or fail.You will need to contact the university you wish to enter to find out the IELTS score they require for entry into your chosen course or the concerned immigration department, in case you taking the IELTS for migration purpose. The test questions and tasks have been designed to reflect the general interests of people from an educated background; therefore you will not be required to have any specialist knowledge about the theme in the test. You will receive a band score for each module – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and an overall band score 

for the test. Your IELTS score is valid for two years.

Watch IELTS Introduction Videos 

by LAIQUE LODHI