Both modules

IELTS listening practice test 3

Full audio, four sections, answers and a band score. Free, with the complete transcript.

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This is the third complete IELTS listening practice test on this site. Forty answers across four sections, with the audio, the answers and the full transcript.

Use the pause before each section to read the next questions rather than to check the last ones. You get two minutes at the end for checking, and that is the only thing those minutes are good for.

Play once, and keep going even if you miss an answer. The real test does not pause.

The questions

IELTS listening practice test 3: questions 1 to 40

Questions 1 – 4 Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

Questions 1 to 1

Where did the man do his introduction to driving course?

Questions 2 to 2

How long ago did the man do the driving course?

Questions 3 to 3

How many hours per day is the full-time course?

Questions 4 to 4

Students are taught about regulations and what on one of the days?

Questions 5 – 10 Complete the form below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER. Pacific Harbour Driving School – Course Information

Questions 5 to 5

Pacific Harbour Driving School - Course Information 5. Weekend course duration: Saturdays

Questions 6 to 6

6. Weekend course hours per day: hours

Questions 7 to 7

7. Weekend course start time: a.m.

Questions 8 to 8

8. Weekend course cost: £

Questions 9 to 9

9. Weekday course cost: £

Questions 10 to 10

10. Available instructor name:

Questions 11 – 15 Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER. Things to do in Las Vegas

Questions 11 to 15

Gambling: - there are over 11. casinos in Las Vegas The 'Mob Museum': - a self-guided tour - visitors can listen to recorded 12. between criminals The Pinball Hall of Fame: - opened in 2006 - over 200 machines - profits go to 13. in the local region The High Roller: - 170 m high - Was the largest of its kind - each cabin on the wheel can fit up to 14. people The Big Apple Roller Coaster: - 70 miles per hour - riders get on and off the roller coaster while in a 15. - is built around 2 buildings

Questions 16 – 20 Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

Questions 16 to 20

The dam was first discussed as an idea in 16. but construction did not begin until 1931. The project was completed in 17.. Before construction of the dam could begin, 18. of tunnels needed to be drilled to divert the river. The work was often dangerous, because of 19. and broken ropes, but this did lead to better safety standards on construction sites. Further dangers existed for workers, with deaths from heat and a lack of fresh air. The dam now provides power for around 20. people.

Questions 21 – 26 Match each statement with a country. Select the correct answer A–C. A. South Africa B. Australia C. New Zealand

21. Children start school later

The answer is A. South Africa . Lyn explains that South African children start school at age seven, which is later than in Australia or New Zealand. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

22. Has intermediate school

The answer is C. New Zealand . Gail specifically mentions that New Zealand has intermediate school, while Australia goes straight to high school. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

23. Few religious private schools

The answer is A. South Africa . Lyn says only a few South African schools have any religious connection, contrasting with Australia where private schools are often run by religious groups. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

24. Doesn't have correspondence education

The answer is A. South Africa . Lyn says 'We don't really have that' when asked about correspondence teaching — making it clear South Africa lacks this system. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

25. Home schooling

The answer is C. New Zealand . Gail describes home schooling in New Zealand, where parents teach children at home and submit a syllabus to the local education authority. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

26. Compulsory extracurricular activities

The answer is B. Australia . Pat specifically says Australia is unusual because extracurricular activities are compulsory there. Always make a choice — there is no penalty for a wrong answer in IELTS.

Questions 27 – 30 Complete the notes below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. New Zealand Boarding School – Dress Code

Questions 27 to 30

- Dress had to be one inch below the knee when 27. - Hat had to be worn at all times when 28. - Socks had to be 29. - School 30. had to be worn at all times

Questions 31 – 35 Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

Questions 31 to 31

What causes RSI?

Questions 32 to 32

The use of what has caused an increase in RSI in the workplace?

Questions 33 to 33

RSI is made worse without break periods or if there is no thought given to what?

Questions 34 to 34

What should people who use a computer regularly be able to identify to avoid serious cases?

Questions 35 to 35

Problems can also occur if the computer monitor is what?

Questions 36 – 40 Complete the notes below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. Ergonomic Setup Guidelines

Questions 36 to 40

Chair: Height should allow arms to be at 90 degrees to the keyboard; Feet should be on the floor or a 36.; Space should be allowed between the chair and back of the knees to maintain 37. Monitor: Screen should be just below eye level; Avoid light reflections by positioning at a 38.; 39. backgrounds are more comfortable to look at Keyboard: Wrists should remain straight; Elbows close to the body Posture: Sit up straight or 40. a little

Your result

Your band score for this listening test

Answer the questions to see your score out of 40.

Your approximate band appears once you have answered everything.

Band boundaries vary slightly between test versions. A test taken at home, where you can pause the recording, also flatters, so plan for a little less on the day.

Approximate listening conversion, out of 40
Correct answers	Approximate band
39+	Band 9
37+	Band 8.5
35+	Band 8
32+	Band 7.5
30+	Band 7
26+	Band 6.5
23+	Band 6
18+	Band 5.5
16+	Band 5

Reading and listening convert from a raw score. Writing and speaking do not: they are judged against four criteria, which is why no calculator can estimate them.

Missed answers you could not find again?

That is what the transcript below is for. Read the part you missed and work out whether it was the vocabulary, the speed, or a paraphrase you did not recognise. Those need different fixes.

The complete IELTS course on IELTStestONLINE has lessons on every listening question type, more full tests, and a support tutor. Take a look at the complete course

Show the full transcript

Section 1

Receptionist:	Hello. Welcome to Pacific Harbour Driving school. How can I help?
Man:	Good afternoon. I have a driving test booked for next month, and I want to take some driving lessons.
Receptionist:	We can help you there. Have you taken any driving lessons before, or is this your first time?
Man:	I did do a short introduction to driving course at high school, and I learned to drive with my father before that. But I want to get my license, so I need to have some lessons from your school.
Receptionist:	Of course – that's no problem. How long ago did you do the driving course?
Man:	That was last year – no, sorry, that was two years ago. I have a certificate for that course here with me now. Do you need to see it?
Receptionist:	No, that's OK – I'll just make a note about it here though.
Receptionist:	You can do a full-time course – that takes five days, from Monday to Friday, and the lessons are for three hours each day. Or you can do three weekends - well, Saturdays actually - five hours each Saturday day, from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon.
Man:	Can you tell me a little more about the five-day course? How much does it cost and what will I learn?
Receptionist:	Ok, with the five-day course, that's 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Friday. You drive in the city for four days, and will learn about parking, driving in traffic and all the essentials… and then there is one day for learning all the road rules and regulations.
Receptionist:	Well, the weekend course is £295, and the weekday course is £275. There's a slight difference in cost because the weekend class is on a Saturday, not our regular hours.
Man:	Alright, well, I think I'll sign up for the weekend course.
Receptionist:	Let me see if we have any instructors available…. Yes, we do. John Thompson is available.

Section 2

Hello everyone and thank you for inviting me here to talk about places to visit in the USA. For my presentation today, I’d like to focus on Las Vegas, which as many of you will know is in Nevada.

When talking about Las Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is gambling. Now of course it’s true that gambling is a major aspect of the city – there are over 100 casinos. However, there is actually a whole lot more that you can do there, and that’s what I’d like to talk to you about today.

Without even needing to travel out of the city, there are plenty of different and exciting things to do. We’ll start by talking about the museums in the area. One of the most well known is the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, or the ‘Mob Museum’ as it is more commonly known. This is a self-guided tour where you can find out about the history of organised crime in the area and the people that were involved. Visitors can listen to conversations between criminals that were recorded by the police nearly 100 years ago, and you can even sit in a real electric chair.

For something a little more lighthearted, you can also visit the Pinball Hall of Fame - a museum for pinball machines that opened January 2006. Containing over 200 different pinball machines, the museum also has some classic video games, and is funded purely from donations. In fact, this museum is not run to make a profit, and any excess revenue is passed on to charities in the area.

There are also museums for car lovers, a waxwork museum with images of famous people moulded in wax, an aviation museum with full sized aeroplanes and much more.

But for those of you who are looking for a little more of a thrill than a museum, there are plenty of more exciting options. Take, for example, the High Roller – at nearly 170 metres high, it was the world’s largest Ferris wheel when it was built in 2014. There are 32 cabins on the wheel, each of which can accommodate up to 40 people, and it takes about 30 minutes for the wheel to turn all the way around.

There is also the Big Apple Roller Coaster, which reaches speeds of nearly 70 miles per hour and has two loops, as well as a terrifying 50 metre drop. In total, the track is over 1.5 kilometres long, but the ride itself takes less than 3 minutes, and perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of this ride is that it actually begins and ends inside a hotel, with the track snaking its way around the outside of 2 buildings, before ending back in the hotel to finish.

Another place that is extremely popular for day trippers is the Hoover Dam, and that’s what I would like to talk about now.

First, let’s talk about some important dates. The idea of building a dam was first discussed as far back as 1900, but it was not until 1928 that the project was authorised by the government. In 1931, a group of companies finally began construction, with a completion date of 1938. However, the dam was actually finished and in operation 2 years ahead of schedule, in 1936.

Construction of the dam faced some massive challenges. The first was to divert the Colorado River, and this was done by drilling 4 tunnels into the canyon walls, and these tunnels had a combined length of over 5 kilometres. Next came the beginning of the dam itself.

Rising to a height of 221 metres, the dam was a massive undertaking. The people who worked at those heights, supported only by ropes, were called ‘high scalers’, and this was arguably the most dangerous job of them all. Falling rocks and broken ropes caused many deaths and injuries, but this was also the time when safety equipment started to become used in construction.

Despite this heavy cost, the dam has performed without any major incident since the time of its construction and provides power for approximately 1.3 million people.

Section 3

Pat: So what was it like in your school then, Lyn?

Lyn: Well, South African schools are very different from schools in Australia. For a start, children don't start their schooling until they are seven quite a bit later than schools in Australia. What about New Zealand, Gail?

Gail: We're more like Australia. can't believe children don't go to school until they are seven! When do the parents get any free time?

Lyn: Well, there’s still the availability of kindergartens or playschools, it’s just that formal education doesn’t start until later. I don’t think it’s such a good idea for children to have to be too academic at such a young age. They should be able to just enjoy themselves.

Pat: Well, yes, but the first school children go to isn’t very academic. It’s just really an opportunity for children to learn a few basic social skills by playing and learning with other children.

Gail: Yes, I’d agree with that.

Lyn: I guess being so close, Australian and New Zealand schools must be similar then?

Gail: Well, I suppose they do share a lot of similarities, but there’re also some differences. For example, children in New Zealand go through intermediate school, but in Australia there's only high school. That’s right, isn’t it Pat?

Pat: Yes, I think so. What about South Africa, Lyn? Do you have intermediate or high school?

Lyn: Oh, high school.

Pat: Another difference between Australian and New Zealand education is that although both countries have state schools and private schools, our private schools are very often run by religious groups, whereas New Zealand schools are secular.

Gail: That’s not true. There are quite a few religious schools in New Zealand.

Pat: Oh, OK. Maybe we are similar. Maybe we’re different.

Lyn: Only a few South African schools have any religious connection, so I guess most people go to state schools. Pat, is it true that some people from your country don’t have to go to school at all?

Pat: Well, that’s partly true. Because of the geography of Australia, there are a lot of children who do not have access to schools, at least on a regular basis. Instead they have a form of correspondence education, where the lessons are actually on the radio and the students send their work in by post. That way they get a lot of what they would if they were in the classroom apart from the interaction.

Gail: In New Zealand, not all students have to go to school either. Some parents have opted for home schooling.

Lyn: Oh, is that like correspondence teaching? We don't really have that.

Gail: Well, we do have correspondence schools but home schooling is different. With home schooling the parents teach the children and set them homework. They have to present a syllabus to their local education authority before they can do that, but it is becoming a more popular choice for some parents. I suppose it also suits parents’ own commitments. I mean they don’t have to worry about collecting their children from school, and they can always teach over the weekend or in the evening if they want to.

Lyn: Is the school day normally quite long then?

Gail: Not in New Zealand, but I think it can be in Australia.

Pat: Yes, that’s right. I think Australia is unusual in that there are extracurricular activities which you have to go to. These are normally sport activities, but there are a few other options.

Lyn: We have activities after school for any student that is interested, but they aren’t compulsory. What about in New Zealand, Gail?

Gail: I had to do some sport every week. I didn’t really like it, but it was part of the school day so I guess that’s not so bad. Anyway, I spent two years at boarding school so things were a little different.

Lyn: Boarding school? What was that like?

Gail: Well, the thing I remember most about it was the strict dress code. There were restrictions on everything. You had to wear a school uniform almost all of the time, and it had to be cleaned and ironed. The length of your skirt had to be no less than one inch above your knees when kneeling down. Sometimes we used to go out on school trips or just at weekends with a few friends, but whenever we were outside the school we had to wear a hat. There was one teacher who used to give me extra homework because my socks weren’t pulled up, and that was in the school late in the evening! I suppose it wasn’t that bad, but I forgot it felt like a prison! I kept getting into trouble for something. Most of the time I forgot something, normally my school badge. We had to wear that all the time, in the school, and out, because it had our house colours on it.

Pat: Wow! That doesn’t sound like much fun!

Gail: No, but it was a good education. I suppose… (fade out)

Section 4

Lecturer:	Good morning, everyone. Today I'll be talking about RSI, or Repetitive Strain Injury, which has become an increasingly important health issue in modern workplaces.
Lecturer:	RSI is a condition that results from repeated physical movements that damage tendons, nerves, and muscles. The problem has become particularly noticeable over the last twenty years due to the increasing importance of computers in the workplace.
Lecturer:	The situation is intensified if people don't take regular breaks or spend time considering their body position. However, many cases can be prevented if people who use a computer regularly are able to recognise the warning signs early on.
Lecturer:	Another common problem occurs when people sit too close to their computer monitor. This can lead to eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.
Lecturer:	Your feet should be flat on the ground, or if that's not practical, they should rest on a foot stool. It's also important to leave some space between the chair seat and the back of your knees to maintain proper circulation in your legs.
Lecturer:	To avoid light reflections and glare on your screen, position it at a right angle to any windows or light sources. Research has shown that light grey backgrounds are actually much more comfortable to look at than bright white ones.
Lecturer:	Some people find sitting at 90 degrees too rigid, and if that's the case, you can lean back slightly in your chair to find a more comfortable position.

Questions about this IELTS listening practice test

Is the IELTS listening test the same in both modules?

Yes. Listening and speaking are identical in the Academic and General Training modules. Only reading and writing differ.

How many times is the recording played?

Once. There is no repeat of any section, which is why reading the questions in the pauses beforehand matters so much.

How many answers do I need for Band 7?

Around 30 out of 40, though the boundary varies slightly between test versions. Roughly 26 is Band 6.5 and 23 is Band 6.

Does spelling matter in IELTS listening?

Yes. A misspelled answer is marked wrong, which is why names and places are usually spelled out in the recording.

How much time do I get to check my answers?

Two minutes. You type answers straight in as you go, so there is nothing to copy anywhere.

Before your next listening test

The IELTS listening testThe four sections and every question type Predicting and anticipatingWhat to do in the pause before each section Numbers and detailsWhere the easy marks are won and lost

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