Listening · Unit 2: Common mistakes
L17: Don't write the first word you hear
Target band 6 to 6.5
Here's a secret about IELTS Listening. The words in the question are usually not the words in the recording. The question says "older visitors". The speaker says "people over sixty". If you're waiting for the exact words "older visitors", you'll never hear them. And while you're waiting, the answer goes past.
Why this matters
IELTS tests whether you understand meaning, not whether you can match sounds. That's why they change the words. This is called paraphrasing. Students who only listen for exact words get stuck around band 6. Students who listen for meaning move up.
How it works
Look at this question:
The most popular activity among older visitors is __________.
Now the recording:
"Our younger guests mostly go kayaking. But for people over sixty, bird watching is by far the favourite."
The answer is bird watching. Notice:
- "older visitors" became "people over sixty"
- "most popular" became "by far the favourite"
- "kayaking" was mentioned first, and it's the wrong answer
A student who wrote the first activity they heard got it wrong.
Common paraphrases
| In the question | In the recording |
|---|---|
| cheap | doesn't cost much, good value |
| essential | you must, it's vital |
| most popular | most people choose, the favourite |
| a problem | an issue, a difficulty, the downside |
| older people | the elderly, over sixties, senior citizens |
| begin | start, kick off, open |
| increase | rise, go up, grow |
| not allowed | prohibited, banned, you can't |
Lesson L30 gives you 50 more of these.
What does stay the same?
The answer word is usually the same as what you hear. In the example, bird watching is said exactly. It's the words around the gap that change. So listen for the meaning of the question, then catch the exact answer word.
A simple method
- Read the question and ask: "How else could someone say this?"
- Think of one or two other ways in your head.
- Listen for the meaning, not the sound.
- When you find the meaning, the answer is usually right next to it.
Try it yourself
Question: The main problem with the old building was its __________.
"The building looked lovely, and the location was perfect. The real issue was the heating. In winter, it was freezing."
Show the answers
heating. The "main problem" became "the real issue". Lovely and location were said first, but they were positives.
Honest note
Paraphrase spotting takes time to learn. You can't memorise every paraphrase. But after a few weeks of reading transcripts, your brain starts to notice them on its own.
Your task today
Take one practice test transcript. For five questions, find the words in the transcript that match the question. Write the pairs side by side.