IELTS Listening Practice Test 144 (with Answers)

Part 1: Questions 1–10

You will hear a scientist talking about the background to a major research initiative.

Questions 1–10

Complete the table below.

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

Research Background and Priorities

Research aspect	Details
Initial professional identity	Identified himself chiefly as a rather than a conventional project leader
Core research emphasis	Investigates the behind the solar system’s development
Present research climate	Described as hypothesis-rich but
Unresolved planetary question	Reason why Mars possesses only a small fraction of Earth’s
Competing explanations	separate hypotheses currently exist
Prior specialism	Conducted research on located beyond the inner planets
Previously unexplained phenomenon	No satisfactory account existed of how the came into being
Later research curiosity	Seeks to understand how the distant planetary region underwent
Conditions for world formation	Earth-like bodies do not arise in a complete
Early behaviour of giant worlds	These bodies were required to during their early history

Part 2: Questions 11–20

You will hear a language teacher explaining the differences between two common adverbs.

Questions 11–16

Complete the sentences below.

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Certain matters become evident only when a person possesses sufficient or expertise.

The adjective 'apparent' is encountered less often and may convey a more tone than 'obvious'.

Both adjectives may be followed by 'to' and an pronoun.

The adverbial forms are distinct in how readily we can or know something.

The word 'apparently' signals information derived from what has been or read, rather than from personal observation.

A speaker who uses 'apparently' does not possess familiarity with the situation.

Questions 17–18

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

Which TWO claims does the speaker make about the adverb 'obviously'?

AIt is founded on second-hand information rather than firsthand knowledge.BIt occurs less frequently than the adjective 'apparent'.CIt conveys the speaker's confidence in the accuracy of the statement.DIt is more typical of formal writing than of everyday speech.EIt implies that other people should readily accept the claim.

Questions 19–20

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

Which TWO statements about the positioning of these adverbs are correct?

AThey are restricted to informal spoken English.BThey must always be separated from the verb by a comma.CThey cannot precede the subject of a sentence.DThey may be placed immediately beside the verb.EThey may begin a sentence and be followed by a comma.

Part 3: Questions 21–30

You will hear three colleagues discussing their reactions to a recent sample recovery and their roles in studying the material.

Questions 26–30

Complete the summary below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Ann's Scientific Responsibilities

Ann serves as deputy leader of a group investigating elements and . Since the researchers are based around the world, she must convey details of the specimen's appearance and represent their . Much of her role involves formulating a plan to the material fairly. Her first direct observation happened when group leaders were admitted to the . Seen closely, the specimen contained minute flecks that resembled salt but sparkled like .

Part 4: Questions 31–40

You will hear a talk about the benefits and components of an international engineering collaboration.

Questions 31–40

Complete the notes below.

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

Notes on an International Engineering Project

Partnership benefits

Pooling everyone's makes shared objectives achievable.
NASA's financial contribution is smaller, so public money can be stretched: the agency can make its go further.

Core structure

Completed station will be approximately a of the ISS's dimensions.
The Power and Propulsion Element uses an innovative mechanism for steering, replacing chemical propellant.
HALO serves as the initial space for the crew.

Launch and transit

The two modules are assembled on Earth and sent together as a unit.
Transit by ion thruster to lunar orbit lasts roughly months.

Partner contributions

Europe provides a high-capacity communication link serving as a during surface activities.
Canada contributes a robotic arm plus a mounting point for outside and equipment.
Japan supplies the apparatus installed in HALO.

Part	Recording	Questions	Question types
1	Changing Research Priorities	1–10	Table completion
2	Clarifying Adverb Usage	11–20	Sentence completion, Multiple choice (choose more than one)
3	Coordinating Laboratory Research	21–30	Multiple choice, Summary completion
4	Collaborating on Complex Engineering	31–40	Note completion

IELTS Listening Practice Test 144