101Helpful Hints for IELTS

Listening Test Hints
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS - "100% WORDS"
Be especially careful of True/False type questions when the statements given include words such as
"always", "never", "must", "have to", "only", and "all (the students etc.)". This can also apply
to other question types such as multiple choice tasks in both the Listening and Reading Tests.
These 100% qualifying words have unconditional or all-inclusive meanings in sentences. However,
even though the words you read in the Listening Test booklet may be heard in the passage, they are
often qualified later. If you do not listen carefully, you might easily believe these statements are true
when they are actually false. In fact, statements containing "100% words" in True/False question
tasks are quite often false. They are sometimes purposely included in the test to discover a
candidate's true listening ability.
O Look at Question 36 in Listening Test Two:
Q36. The Macintosh computer network can only be used A I N
by second and third year students.
What you hear in the passage is almost the same as what is written in the question statement:
"The Macintosh computer network is reserved for second and third year
students only..."
However, the tutor further qualifies what he says in the very same sentence:
"... unless you are a first year student of the Graphic Design course."
Sometimes statements which make 100% claims are not further qualified in the same sentence, but
are qualified a little later in the passage. Beware!
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS - STEP BY STEP
• Before you listen:
Read the instructions carefully.
(See IELTS Test - Basic Hints 7 and 8.)
Always look at (and listen for) the example.
(See IELTS Test - Basic Hint 9.)
• As you listen:
Choose the keywords and topic to listen for and be aware of the question changing.
(See IELTS Test - Basic Hint 10 and Listening Hint 20.)
Check the question statements carefully for modifying and qualifying words.
(See Listening Hint 34.)
Beware of question statements that contain words that imply 100%.
(See Listening Hint 35.)
If necessary, wait for the speaker to qualify what has been said.
(See Listening Hints 28, 31 and 35.)
• In the time given to you at the end of the True/False questions:
Make sure your letters are easy to read.
(See IELTS Test - Basic Hints 14 and 15.)
Guess the answers to unanswered questions - do not leave blanks.
(See IELTS Test - Basic Hint 11.)
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