IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions: Samples, How to Answer & Tips

Understanding IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions

The IELTS listening short-answer questions are a common type of question in the listening section. The module comprises 4 audio modules with 10 questions each, and short answer questions can appear in any section from 1 to 4. These short answer questions in IELTS listening test  your ability to extract specific details, including names, dates, places or factual ones. They can feel tricky as answers are often hidden among additional information, and the wording may differ from the original recording.

To succeed, you need to listen carefully and provide a brief, precise response, keeping in mind the word limit (“NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).

Common Types of Short Answer Questions

The short-answer questions come up regularly in the exam and can appear in any IELTS listening section. They are particularly common in section 2, which will be a monologue set in a daily social context. Below is the most commonly asked question:

1. Exact Words/Numbers/Dates: Phone number, date, time, or quantity of what they said.

2. Names/Place: Proper nouns like people’s names, cities, landmarks, or key points mentioned in audio.

Practice for IELTS Listening test with authentic audio recordings in real test environment. Access Listening Mock Test

How to Solve Short Answer Questions in IELTS Listening?

To know the best approach for IELTS listening short answer questions that are suitable for the real exam, take a look:

Step 1: Skim the Questions

Before you listen to the audio, you should go through the IELTS listening short answer questions, let's say 1-2 or 3-6. When you do this, you will get to know:

1. What exactly the audio is about.

2. Secondly, what keywords or important dots to listen to?

Note: You have just 20 seconds to quickly skim the question.

Step 2: Highlight the Key Terms

As of now you read the questions, what next you have to do is:

1. Underline the key words or phrases that you think are important while listening to the audio.

How does it help? : You can easily identify the answers during audio listening within a short span of time.

Step 3: Catch the Command Words

Depending on the different types of question words you see in the question, you will know what type of answer you should guess. These are:

1. Who

2. Which

3. Where

4. Why

Step 4: Listen to Audio with Full Attention

Now the important step is audio listening, as you will only get one chance to listen to the conversation. The audio will not be played more than once. So if it is difficult for you to remember the exact words, you can do this:

1. Not down the words/phrases/facts.

2. Pay attention to the exact words you hear in the audio.

Step 5: Write Answers with Precision

Most of the students often make mistakes while writing their response, despite guessing the correct answer in short answer IELTS listening section.

Keep these points in mind:

1. Write the correct number of words as per the instructions.

2. Your writing should be legible to the examiner.

Practice Tests of IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions

This is how the IELTS listening short answer question samples will appear on your question paper. Take a look:

Sample 1: IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions

Video Library Application Form Listening Answer

Questions 1-2

Answer in the question below.

Write NO MORE THAN 2 WORDS for each answer.

1. How much does it cost to join the library?

2. When will Louise's card be ready?

Answers:

1. $25/ 25 dollars

2. next week/ following week

Sample 2: IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions

Waste and Waste Management

Questions 1-4

Answer in the question below.

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

3. Where was a Stone Age rubbish dump found?

4. In Medieval times, what type of waste was most common?

5. What did science link with waste?

6. Which invention is the biggest problem for the environment?

Answers:

1. Norway

2. Organic

3. Disease

4. Plastic

Tips for Solving Short Answer Questions IELTS Listening

Below are the key IELTS listening short answer questions tips to follow for maximum score:

1. Follow the Instructions

You should always check the instructions carefully and give special attention to the word limit in each question, as the number of words allowed can vary. Crossing the stated limit may cause your answer to be marked incorrect despite having provided the right information. So stick to the stated instructions to ensure you don’t lose easy marks unnecessarily.

2. Order of the Answer

In the IELTS listening short answer questions, answers will appear in the same sequence as the questions. You will hear the question number 1 first, followed by question 2 and so on. Having a clear idea about the order helps you anticipate the next answer, making it easier to follow the respective recording. As the details are not given randomly, you can listen more confidently and catch the key details without feeling puzzled.

3. Predict the Answer

Next is to anticipate the possible response, as this helps direct your attention to the key details. Most of the time, you may be able to guess the exact information or words, but often you will be able to guess the varied facts, which makes your listening more attentive. This includes:

• Number
• Name
• Place
• Specific information

4. Paraphrasing & Synonyms

The audio often uses varied words with similar meaning, so don’t just focus on the exact words from the questions. Rather, you should train your mind to hear synonyms or rephrased expressions. During the preparation time, just read the questions properly and encircle the key terms that may be changed in the audio. Later, quickly think of the other words or phrases that are in a synchronous style.

5. Tricky Vocabulary

There are 6 different types of vocabulary that are regularly used in IELTS listening short answers question. These are:

• Time
• Numbers
• Prices
• Dates
• Letters
• Addresses

Your task is to recognise them in speech and to write them correctly in your answers.

6. Avoid Common Distractors

Examiners often add distractors to check your presence of mind. A distractor is a word or a phrase that modifies or changes the original piece of details given. Thus, you may be answered and then have it taken away again.

Example: For most of the year, we are open from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., but now December have arrived, so we welcome visitors from 10 a.m. and close at 4 o’clock.

In the above example, ‘but’ is a common distractor, but there might be different words and phrases that can be used to change the correct piece of detail.

7. Intelligent Guess

If you miss any answer, take an educated guess, as this gives you the probability of getting it right. Well, this ability will develop while solving the IELTS listening practice test during preparation. This gives you some probability of getting it right.

8. Consistent Practice

Lastly, you should devote more time to practice with an authentic IELTS listening mock test using the above tips and approach. As they give you a real exam simulation and you learn how to answer, common traps and distractors are used.

Conclusion

So here you are! Mastering the listening short answers is all about the strategy, focus and dedicated IELTS exam preparation. With our above sample, you can familiarise yourself with different types, catching keywords, synonyms and distractors, you can listen actively and respond with precision.

With the help of these methods, and from IELTS online coaching at Gradding.com, even the most difficult questions seem manageable, turning this into an excellent opportunity to strengthen your overall performance.

FAQs 

1. How Many Words Can I Write in IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions?

Strictly follow the word limit! Ideally, you are allowed to write 1-3 words/numbers, so make your choices wisely to avoid losing marks.

2. Can I Use My Own Words for Short Answer Questions?

Absolutely yes, you can use your own words in IELTS listening short answer questions. But they should accurately convey the possible meaning, fit in the context, and adhere to the word limit.

3. What are the Common Mistakes in IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions?

Here are some of the common mistakes that test takers make in IELTS listening short-answer questions:

• Exceeding the word limit

• Spelling mistakes

• Mishearing facts

• Falling for traps/distractors

• Missing Keywords

• Avoiding synonymous or paraphrasing.

4. How Can I Improve Accuracy in IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions?

You can improve accuracy by following these tips:

• Practicing regularly
• Highlighting keywords
• Intelligent guessing
• Following word limits
• Listening carefully

5. Are Short Answer Questions the Same in IELTS Academic and General Training?

Yes, short-answer questions test the same skills of figuring out the specific details, but the topics and contexts may slightly differ.