IELTS Listening Practice Test 197
4 parts · 40 questions · about 31 minutes of audio. Below are all the questions. Take the test in your free dashboard to play the recordings, answer as you listen, and get your band score with the transcript of every answer.
Part 1: Questions 1–10
You will hear a podcast interview about a serious respiratory infection and a study of its risk factors.
Questions 1–10
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Research notes
Definition and transmission
- Described as a severe form of caused by Legionella bacteria.
- The predominant species accounts for approximately of reported cases.
- Those with pre-existing face elevated risk, along with smokers and the elderly.
- Infection can occur through inhalation of containing the bacteria.
- Preventive measures include cleaning systems and sustaining suitable .
Laboratory identification
- Culturing secretions such as may be performed after bronchoscopy.
- A limitation of culture is that it can require to yield results.
Study design and findings
- The exposure route for L. longbeachae is associated with compost or .
- Cases were tracked over when incidence is highest.
- Infected participants were more likely to maintain a(n) within a glasshouse.
Part 2: Questions 11–20
You will hear a public-health podcast reviewing recent evidence on infectious diseases, hospital care and vaccination.
Questions 11–15
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Arbovirus Report Findings
The first report focused on viral illnesses transmitted by biting insects and arachnids. Although West Nile virus is chiefly spread by , most infected individuals display no . Just counties accounted for over half of national cases, and the neuroinvasive rate in 2021 was the greatest recorded since . To reduce risk, the report advised using an approved and conducting tick checks outdoors.
Questions 16–20
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 3: Questions 21–30
You will hear a podcast interview about the spread of a mosquito-borne virus in California.
Questions 21–25
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 26–30
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Herd Immunity
Herd Immunity
- The protection is not completely .
- Occasional cases may still appear in places where the virus spread before.
- It happens once a large of the population has had the virus.
- Those who are immune can the people around them.
- The virus will stop .
Part 4: Questions 31–40
You will hear a podcast interview about a European centre that tracks disease and about one illness it investigates.
Questions 31–35
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Questions 36–40
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
A Parasitic Infection
Some people have a infection, with no symptoms or signs at all. In its most serious form, patients typically experience loss and may suffer swelling of internal organs. Dogs serve as the principal of the infection. The parasite is usually passed on by the bite of tiny , although shared can also transmit it.
About this listening test
| Part | Recording | Questions | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Respiratory Infection Risk Study | 1–10 | Note completion |
| 2 | Infectious Disease and Vaccination Briefing | 11–20 | Summary completion, Multiple choice |
| 3 | Understanding Herd Immunity | 21–30 | Multiple choice, Note completion |
| 4 | Monitoring Infectious Disease Risks | 31–40 | Sentence completion, Summary completion |
How to use it
- Open the test in your dashboard. Each part has its own track with the spoken instructions and the time to read the questions, as in the real exam.
- For exam practice, play each part once at 1× speed. To train your ear, slow it down or replay sections.
- Select words in a question to highlight the keywords you are listening for.
- After submitting, use “Show in transcript” to see exactly where each answer was said.
Audio sources
The recordings are real, copyright-free audio. The questions are written by Sprechify, and the spoken instructions use a synthetic voice.
- Part 1: Legionnaires' Disease and Compost (CDC, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast (work of the US federal government, public domain)
- Part 2: Week of August 21, 2023 (CDC podcast). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC podcast (work of the US federal government, public domain)
- Part 3: Travel-related Threat of Zika Virus Transmission in California (CDC, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast (work of the US federal government, public domain)
- Part 4: Leishmaniases in the European Union and Neighboring Countries (CDC, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emerging Infectious Diseases podcast (work of the US federal government, public domain)