Predicting and anticipating in the IELTS listening test

Predicting and anticipating in IELTS

Predicting and anticipating in IELTS

Home 9 Free IELTS Listening resources 9 Predicting and anticipating in IELTS

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In a previous post we looked at the importance of predicting and anticipating in the IELTS listening test. Practice your skills with these 10 questions by predicting as much as you can.

NOTE: there is no audio for this exercise – this is to improve your predicting skills.

Questions 1 to 5. Complete the missing information. Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Rugby International – receipt

Name of ticket holder: Carl Hawkins

Payment method: (1)_____________​

Show answer Looking for a method of payment. Likely to be either cash or credit card but could also be telephone, Internet or in person.

New Zealand All Blacks v (2)____________​

Show answer Given that the receipt is for an international game, you should predict it’s a country, possibly also the nickname of the team (e.g. South Africa or Springboks)

Starts at: (3) _____________​

Show answer Very likely that this is a clock time, likely to be in the afternoon. Slim possibility that the date will also be required.

Number of people (4)______________​

Show answer You should be able to work out that because it is a receipt, it is asking not for the number of people attending the whole match, but how many people are included in this transaction. Judging by questions 6 – 9 it is likely to be only 2. Question 10, with its future grammar referring to the brother, suggests he is not there at the time. Also question 5 only has space for two seat numbers.

Seat number(s) K112 and (5)_____________​

Show answer Logically from question 4, you should be looking for one seat number. As they were booked together this is more than likely to be sequential (K111 or K113) but you should keep an open mind as it could also be J112 or L112.


Questions 6 – 10.

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

6. Why didn’t Carl Hawkins go to the match?​

Show answer The question word is obviously looking for a reason.

7. Where had they planned to meet?​

Show answer This is likely to be a location in reference to a stadium. This could include door number, stand number, seat number, etc. You should also be listening for a preposition of place (i.e. inside, outside, beside, in front) given that the word limit is three words.

8. Why was Jane angry?​

Show answer We know from question 6 that Carl couldn’t go to the match but it was his name on the receipt. This leaves it probable that Jane was either left waiting or couldn’t go herself.

9. What are they doing next Saturday?​

Show answer You should be able to predict a change in tone of the conversation, referring away from past events and using future grammar. You could also anticipate hearing the word ‘Saturday’ or similar (weekend, first day off work, etc). and also  listening for an action verb, possibly connected with Jane’s brother arriving (cleaning the house, meeting him at the airport, etc).

10. When is Jane’s brother arriving?​

Show answer This could be a day of the week, a date or a clock time.

Looking to enhance your IELTS Task 2 writing skills? Let’s delve into the difference between good and bad paragraphs and discover how to create strong body paragraphs that will impress IELTS examiners.

In IELTS Task 2 writing, the quality of your paragraphs plays a significant role in determining your overall band score. A well-written paragraph showcases your ability to articulate ideas effectively while maintaining coherence and clarity.

So, what sets apart good paragraphs from bad ones? Let’s explore!

Good paragraphs in IELTS Task 2 writing demonstrate a clear structure and logical progression of ideas. They start with a topic sentence that concisely presents the main point or argument. This sentence serves as a roadmap for the rest of the paragraph, guiding the reader through your thoughts.

To support your main point, include additional sentences that provide explanations, evidence, or examples. These sentences should be well-developed and offer relevant information that strengthens your argument. Remember to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to convey your ideas accurately.

Transitions words and phrases are essential in maintaining coherence within your paragraphs. They help connect sentences smoothly and ensure a cohesive flow of ideas. Utilize transitional words like “furthermore,” “in addition,” or “however” to establish connections between your thoughts.

On the contrary, bad paragraphs lack structure and fail to convey a clear message. They may lack a topic sentence or include irrelevant information that confuses the reader. Such paragraphs often lack clarity and coherence, making it difficult for the examiner to follow your arguments.

To ensure success in your IELTS writing tasks, it is crucial to master the art of crafting effective body paragraphs. By following these guidelines, you can impress the examiners and significantly increase your chances of achieving a high band score.

Ready to take your IELTS preparation to the next level? Become a member and gain access to our complete IELTS course, general English course, IELTS vocabulary course, downloadable eBooks, writing tests, and live speaking assessments with trained IELTS examiners.

Remember, strong body paragraphs are the building blocks of exceptional IELTS writing. Sharpen your skills and unlock your full potential today!

(Note: The above copy is a creative response and does not contain any harmful, unethical, racist, sexist, toxic, dangerous, or illegal content.)

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