Academic test - sample test questions

Listening (30 minutes) 

The Listening test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and consists of four recorded monologues and conversations.

The following IELTS Listening sample tasks are to be used with the Answer Sheet and MP3 audio files and/or transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.

Listening sample tasks

• Listening sample 1 task - Form completion 
• IELTS listening recording 1
• Listening sample 2 task - Multiple choice
• IELTS Listening recording 2
• Listening sample 3 task - Short answer
• IELTS Listening recording 3
• Listening sample 4 task - Sentence completion
• IELTS Listening recording 4
• Listening sample 5 task - Matching
• IELTS Listening recording 5
• Listening sample 6 task - Matching
• IELTS Listening recording 6
• Listening sample 7 task - Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling
• IELTS Listening recording 7
• Listening sample 8 task - Note completion
• IELTS Listening recording 8
• Listening recording 8 - Answer sheet
• Listening sample 9 task - Short answer
• IELTS Listening recording 9
• Listening recording 9 - Answer sheet
  

Listening answer sheet 

Find out more about the Listening test

Academic Reading (60 minutes)

Texts for the Academic Reading test are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

A variety of tasks is used, including: multiple-choice questions, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Academic Reading sample tasks

• Academic Reading sample task - Matching features
• Academic Reading sample task - Table completion
• Academic Reading sample task - Flow-chart completion (selecting words from the text)
• Academic Reading sample task - Identifying information (true, false, not given)
• Academic Reading sample task - Matching headings
• Academic Reading sample task - Matching sentence endings
• Academic Reading sample task - Multiple choice (more than one answer)
• Academic Reading sample task - Multiple choice (one answer)
• Academic Reading sample task - Note completion
• Academic Reading sample task - Sentence completion
• Academic Reading sample task - Summary completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)
• Academic Reading sample task - Summary completion (selecting words from the text)

Academic Reading answer sheet

Find out more about the Academic Reading test

Academic Writing (60 minutes) 

The Academic Writing test consists of two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.

In Task 1, you are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram). You need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. In Task 2 you are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. You need to write your response in 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Academic Writing sample tasks

Task 1

• Academic Writing sample task 1A
• Academic Writing sample task 1B
• Academic Writing sample task 1C
• Academic Writing answer sheet task 1

Task 2

• Academic Writing sample task 2A
• Academic Writing sample task 2B
• Academic Writing answer sheet task 2
• Academic Writing sample materials and examiner comments

Find out more about the Academic Writing test

Speaking (11–14 minutes)

In the Speaking test, you have a discussion with a certified examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get.

There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test taker output.

In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself and your family. In Part 2, you speak about a topic. In Part 3, you have a longer discussion on the topic.

The Speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Each of the three parts is designed to test a different aspect of your communication ability.

Speaking sample tasks

Part 1

• Speaking sample task part 1 – Prompt 
• Speaking sample task part 1 – Recording 
• Speaking sample task part 1 – Transcript

Part 2

• Speaking sample task part 2 – Prompt 
• Speaking sample task part 2 – Recording 
• Speaking sample task part 2 – Transcript

Part 3

• Speaking sample task part 3 – Prompt 
• Speaking sample task part 3 – Recording 
• Speaking sample task part 3 – Transcript

Find out more about the Speaking test 

Listening (30 minutes)

The Listening question types for IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test. 

A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.

Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer)

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which a student called Judy is discussing her research with her tutor and fellow students.

For each question, click on the correct answer.

Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer)
Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer) Answer Key
Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer) Recording Transcript

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing a guide to a library.

Click on the correct answers.

Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer)
Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer) Answer Key
Listening Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer) Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Matching

You will hear an extract from a Part 2 recording in which a woman is talking to new staff at a children's summer camp.

For each question, click on the correct answer and move it into the gap.

Listening Sample task Matching
Listening Sample task Matching Answer Key
Listening Sample task Matching Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling (Type A)

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a tour guide describes different places in a US town.

For each question, click on the correct space in the table.

Listening Sample task Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling
Listening Sample task Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling Answer Key
Listening Sample task Plan/Map/Diagram Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Form Completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which a customer is talking to an agent at a company which ships large boxes overseas.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Listening Sample task Form Completion
Listening Sample task Form Completion Answer Key
Listening Sample task Form Completion Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Note Completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing second-hand furniture.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Listening Sample task Note Completion
Listening Sample task Note Completion Answer Key
Listening Sample task Note Completion Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Table Completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 4 recording in which a university lecturer is giving a talk about research into ‘learner persistence’.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Listening Sample task Table Completion
Listening Sample task Table Completion Answer Key
Listening Sample task Table Completion Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Flow-chart Completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two biology students are comparing their research on evidence of life on Earth and other planets.

For each question, click on the correct answer and move it into the gap.

Listening Sample task Flow-chart Completion
Listening Sample task Flow-chart Completion Answer Key
Listening Sample task Flow-chart Completion Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Sentence Completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two friends are discussing studying with the Open University.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Listening Sample task Sentence Completion
Listening Sample task Sentence Completion Answer Key
Listening Sample task Sentence Completion Recording Transcript

Listening Sample task Short Answer Questions

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a representative from a clothing company is giving a talk to high school students.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Listening Sample task Short Answer Questions
Listening Sample task Short Answer Questions Answer Key
Listening Sample task Short Answer Questions Recording Transcript

Find out more about the Listening test

Academic Reading (60 minutes)

The Academic Reading question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test. A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying a writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer)

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about older people in the workforce.

Click on the correct answer.

Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer)
Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (one answer) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer)

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about older people in the workforce.

Click on the correct answers.

Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer)
Academic Reading Sample task Multiple Choice (more than one answer) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about the scientist Marie Curie.

Click on the correct answers.

Academic Reading Sample task Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
Academic Reading Sample task Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Note Completion

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about the scientist Marie Curie.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Note Completion
Academic Reading Sample task Note Completion Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Table Completion

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about dung beetles.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Table Completion
Academic Reading Sample task Table Completion Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Headings

You will read a Part 2 text about the physics of traffic behaviour.

For each question, click on the correct answer and move it into the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Headings
Academic Reading Sample task Matching Headings Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Features

You will read an extract from a Part 1 text about the development of rockets.

For each question, click on the correct space in the table.

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Features
Academic Reading Sample task Matching Features Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting words from the text)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 text about the ‘Plain English’ movement, which promotes the use of clear English.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting words from the text)
Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting words from the text) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 text about language.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)
Academic Reading Sample task Summary Completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Flow-chart Completion (selecting words from the text)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 text about the effect of a low-calorie diet on the ageing process.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

Academic Reading Sample task Flow-chart Completion (selecting words from the text)
Academic Reading Sample task Flow-chart Completion (selecting words from the text) Answer Key

Academic Reading Sample task Sentence Completion

You will read a Part 2 text which discusses whether birds evolved from dinosaurs.

Click on the correct answer.

Academic Reading Sample task Sentence Completion
Academic Reading Sample task Sentence Completion Answer key

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Sentence Endings

You will read an extract from a Part 3 text about the scientific community in London in the 1700s.

Click on the correct answer.

Academic Reading Sample task Matching Sentence Endings
Academic Reading Sample task Matching Sentence Endings Answer Key

Find out more about the Academic Reading test

Academic Writing (60 minutes) 

The Academic Writing question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test.

In Part 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
In Part 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Academic Writing Sample tasks

Academic Writing Sample task Part 1

Academic Writing Sample task Part 2

Responses to Sample Part 1 and Part 2 with band scores and examiner comments

Find out more about the Academic Writing test