IELTS Listening Practice Test 20
4 parts · 40 questions · about 29 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 conversation between Kelly and Anna about Anna's experience reporting on a blizzard.
Questions 1–5
Complete the form below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Reporting a blizzard
Weather event Anna reported on: a
Helper: Pete
Supplies: , a and warm clothing
Software: The Weather Pro
Game: the best weather game
Questions 6–10
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Blizzard records
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
Location | |
Snowfall | inches |
Wind | record |
Duration of snowfall | hours |
Duration of reporting | hours |
Part 2: Questions 11–20
You will hear a radio report about the future of office workspaces.
Questions 11–15
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 16–20
Complete the summary below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is the government agency that supervises federal buildings. Chuck Hardy is GSA’s chief architect. He supervises the Workplace Innovation Lab, a -square-foot space inside the organization’s headquarters in , D.C. The lab will be open for one . Federal workers can try out the latest in workplace furnishings and technology and then provide on their experience. Hardy says the office of the future needs three qualities: it should be well-designed, serve a purpose and feel .
Part 3: Questions 21–30
You will hear a conversation between a host and a scientist about experiments in precision neuroscience and microgravity.
Questions 21–25
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to Questions 21–25.
- A are used with longer differentiation protocols
- B process information and execute commands
- C form a blood-brain barrier to protect the brain
- D detect pathogens and protect the brain
- E insulate neurons to increase signal speed
- F regulate human development
- G carry oxygen in the blood
Questions 26–30
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Part 4: Questions 31–40
You will hear a talk about the oldest pet cemetery in the United States.
Questions 31–36
Complete the flow-chart below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
The history of Hartsdale Pet Cemetery
Questions 37–40
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
About this listening test
| Part | Recording | Questions | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reporting on a blizzard | 1–10 | Form completion, Table completion |
| 2 | The office of the future | 11–20 | Multiple choice, Summary completion |
| 3 | Brain cells and space research | 21–30 | Matching features, Sentence completion |
| 4 | America's oldest pet cemetery | 31–40 | Flow-chart completion, Multiple choice |
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: Let's Learn English, Lesson 11: The Big Snow. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
- Part 2: What Will Office of the Future Be Like?. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
- Part 3: Improving Precision Neuroscience (NASA Houston We Have a Podcast). NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston We Have a Podcast (NASA audio is generally not subject to copyright in the US)
- Part 4: Oldest Pet Burial Ground in America Is Final Resting Place for Thousands. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain