Category Details IELTS Listening Practice Test with Answers
Preparing for the IELTS examination and looking for various listening samples to enhance the key skills? If so, Category Details listening answers serve as a valuable resource to boost your IELTS preparation. Apparently, the listening section tests your comprehension ability of spoken English, including formal and informal discussions.
It is usually 30 minutes long and includes four recordings. Each of these recordings has ten questions. Interestingly, students taking the paper-based version of the test get an additional 10 minutes to transfer their answers. Below is the sample listening test, designed to test your knowledge through different IELTS question types. Let us dive in!
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Transcript for Category Details
Francis: Hello. Can I speak to... ah... the advert doesn’t give a name.
Bob: Well, the name is Bob, and I guess this call is about the car I’m selling, right?
Francis: Yes. My name’s Francis, and I’m definitely interested.
Bob: You’ll like my car then. Clean, neat, nice.
Francis: What sort is it?
Bob: Oh, the original model was called an Echo - you know, like the echo a sound can make, but then they changed the name to ‘ Yaris’ just before I bought it. Yaris I don’t know why. I liked the old name, and it’s the same car, but that’s what it’s called.
Francis: So, what’s the colour? The ad says it’s cream-coloured. Like cream then?
Bob: Yeah, well, it’s more of a yellow colour, actually.
Francis: Not cream?
Bob: No. I don’t know why I said that. It’s like a canary, and small like one, too.
Francis: So what about the power? How many cylinders does it have? Four or six? My brother has a six-cylinder car, and says it’s very powerful.
Bob: Well, this one’s four only, but I find it fine for city driving. As long as you don’t intend to drive this car interstate or across the country, it does the job fine.
Francis: That’s okay. I just want the car basically for commuting to work, and maybe some weekend trips. Is it two-door or four-door? I suppose it’s not a four-door. The car’s too small for that, right?
Bob: Right! Just two doors, as you say. The front seat bends forward to allow entry into the rear.
Francis: That’s fine by me. This car is just for my girlfriend and I, anyway. Ah, what about accessories? Radio, CD player, anything else? Does it have an air conditioner?
Bob: Well, no, it doesn’t, but I don’t find that a problem. I just opened the window. I mean, if you really want, you can pay to have an AC installed. Basically, the only additional feature this car has is a radio, but it’s still a great deal.
Francis: That depends on the price. You say you want $12,800, right?
Bob: Yep. About that.
Francis: Well, obviously, you expect the price to be reduced to an even figure, right?
Bob: Well, I don’t know...
Francis: $12,000.
Bob: $12,500 maybe.
Francis: If you can lower it a bit, I’ll come and have a look, okay?
Bob: Okay, okay, let’s say $12,400. But I won’t lower it any more than that, certainly not to $12,000.
Francis: Well, if I can get that better price, I may come over this afternoon. But what year is this car? Flow old is it? My brother’s got a 12-year-old car, and it’s showing problems.
Bob: Well, my car was brand-new, only three years ago, but it still looks like it’s only been one year on the road.
Francis: Okay, that sounds good.
Francis: Can I just ask a few more general questions about this car you’re selling? [Sure.] Can you just tell me why you think it’s such a good deal? Of course, I won’t necessarily believe you, but just tell me what you think.
Bob: You can believe me. I honestly think this is a nice car, well worth buying at the price I’m asking.
Francis: How much rego... registration does it have left?
Bob: Oh, ah, to be honest, not so much, but I think having lots of registration is irrelevant. It’s the car you’re paying for - the quality and advantages of the engine itself.
Francis: Well, what about that, then?
Bob: Okay, many people like to accelerate down the freeways, right? There are a lot of speed demons out there who think quickness is all that matters, but basically, people are mostly trapped in city traffic, so one of the things I like is that, because this car is small, you can put it anywhere. Say you’re in the city, wanting to duck into a shop. Well, you can fit this car in any little space while you go shopping or do other things, and that saves you a lot of time.
Francis: Yeah, but it’s not that powerful, right?
Bob: Oh, sure, the feel of a smoothly purring six-cylinder engine attracts many people, but I compare my car to those small football players, with the tight turning circles - those who can run rings around the larger players. This car is like that. It can turn this way and that way, dodge here, duck in there, sneak around corners, squeeze ahead, and grab a position. That’s also very useful when travelling in city traffic.
Francis: Okay, I’ll think about it.
Bob: Sure, think about it, but all these advantages are sound, and appeal to other buyers as well. No one holds the same car forever, so you can say exactly the same things that I just said when you want to sell the car. That will make it very easy for you to pass this car on to the next buyer.
Francis: Yeah. Maybe you’re right.
Questions for Category Details Listening Test
Questions 1-7
Complete the table.
Write ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner’s name: | Example: Bob |
| Model: | 1_____ |
| Colour: | 2_____ |
| No. of cylinders: | 3_____ |
| No. of doors: | 4_____ |
| Extras: | 5_____ |
| Price agreed ($): | 6_____ $ |
| Age (years): | 7_____ |
Questions 8-10
Choose THREE answers from the list, and write the correct letter, A-G, next to the questions.
Which THREE features does the owner say make his car worth buying?
A. Lots of Registration
B. Being Highly Manoeuvrable
C. Being easy to park
D. Fuel efficiency
E. Quick acceleration
F. Good resale potential
G. Smoothly running engine
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Answers to Category Details IELTS Listening Test
Below are the answers of Category Details listening test, which can assist you to improve your listening skills while preparing for the IELTS exam. Let us check!
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
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Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10
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The sample “Category Details Listening answers with audio” present a conversation between Francis, a student, and Bob who is selling his car. Francis asks about the car’s features, price and benefits of why he should buy it. Bob highlights points such as it is easy to park, highly manoeuvrable and easy to drive in the city.
By trying out this IELTS listening mock test, you get a chance to practice catching important details and opinions in real conversations. Now that you have seen this listening scenario, see the summary below for the key details of this exam and improve your accuracy and listening band score!
Key Highlights of the IELTS Listening Section
- Overall Duration: The Listening component of the IELTS test is a total of 40 minutes, in which, 30 minutes are listening to audio and then 10 minutes for transferring your answers (only for the paper-based test). In the computer-based listening component, you will receive 2 minutes to check your answers after the audio recording has finished.
- Number of Listening Parts: The listening test has 4 parts, 10 questions in each part, 40 total questions.
- Increasing Difficulty: The listening test becomes progressively more difficult. Usually, part 1 has everyday conversations, whereas later parts have more academic discussions and more complicated topics.
- Number of Recordings: You will listen to a total of 4 recordings. 2 will be conversations and 2 will be monologues. The recordings are each only played once, so great listening is necessary.
- Type of Questions: The listening test usually has a selection of question types, which includes Multiple choice, Sentence completion, Form/note/table completion, Map/diagram labelling, Matching Information, Short answers
- Test Format Consistency: Whether you take the Academic or the General Training version of the IELTS, you will have the same Listening test.
- Transfer Time: Only the paper-based test will provide 10 extra minutes to transfer your answers (only). The computer-based test only gives you 2 minutes to check your answers.
- Study Tip: Joining online IELTS coaching is a great idea. You will not only practice your listening skills but you also improve your overall band score.
Task Type in Category Details Listening Answers
In the above category details listening answers, you are required to solve two types of questions that are explained below. So, let us dive in.
Table Completion- This question type requires you to fill in the missing information in the tables with numbers, words, or both as per the audio recording. It evaluates your ability to locate specific details, understand the main idea of the text, recognize synonyms and paraphrasing, and properly use your vocabulary and grammar skills to fill in the gaps accurately.
Multiple Choice with Multiple Answers - This question type presents you with several choices that you must recognise the need for more than one answer (select three from seven, for example). It is a way of examining your comprehension of specific details and the speaker's opinion; you need to have a careful ear to listen and follow along with what the presenters are saying, ignore the distractors, and you only get one recording, so listen carefully.
Common Mistakes of the IELTS Listening Section
Several students make errors that are so casual while taking the IELTS exams that they end up reducing their marks. From spelling and grammatical errors to overlooking instructions and a lack of focus. So, let us go through these one by one and understand all!
Errors in Spelling
Spelling errors are one of the most common issues facing students in the listening test. Although students often hear the correct word in the audio, they do not spell it correctly and subsequently lose valuable marks. Regular vocabulary practice and taking mock tests can help improve this situation considerably.
Predicting Answers Too Early
Some candidates attempt to guess answers that match the keywords, even when they haven't heard the end of the sentence yet. They will then get their answer wrong. Always wait until you have heard the whole sentence before you answer.
Not Following Instructions
If a prior question said, “Write no more than two words," and you wrote three, it is wrong, even if the content is accurate. Read the instructions, and follow the word limit.
Losing Concentration During the Audio
Even a quick moment of lack of attention can result in missing important information. Remain mentally focused throughout the test, especially during long audio segments or quick conversations.
Forgetting Grammar and Plural Forms
Grammar mistakes (example: the verb tense is incorrectly referenced or plural forms are missing) can change the answer's meaning. Use practice material (for example, the Category Details listening answers or others) to become responsive to these types of mistakes.
Poor Time Management
Time management is crucial to score better and avoid making irrelevant errors. You can use some pauses between hearing questions to read ahead and prepare well for the upcoming section. It is beneficial and offers a smooth transition to the next part, making sure of your preparedness.
IELTS Band Calculation for Listening Section
As you know, the listening section of the IELTS exam consists of 40 questions, with each correct answer carrying one mark. For your better knowledge of scores, let us look at the table below:
| Band Score | Score / 40 |
|---|---|
| 9 | 39-40 |
| 8.5 | 37-38 |
| 8 | 35-36 |
| 7.5 | 33-34 |
| 7 | 30-32 |
| 6.5 | 27-29 |
| 6 | 23-26 |
| 5.5 | 19-22 |
| 5 | 15-18 |
| 4.5 | 13-14 |
| 4 | 10-12 |
| 3.5 | 8-9 |
| 3 | 6-7 |
| 2.5 | 4-5 |
Conclusion
To sum up, in this practice test, you explored the Category Details IELTS listening answers, then you studied the question types, key points, and issues students frequently have during the exam. Completing this sample, you improve your listening accuracy and learn how you can methodically approach numerous question types. To further improve your preparation, we recommend utilizing an IELTS self-help kit, all of which have practice materials, tips, and other strategies from Gradding’s experts. Combining all of these with consistent practice will upgrade your test results.
