IELTS Listening Practice Test 53

4 parts · 40 questions · about 32 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.

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Part 1: Questions 1–10

You will hear an interview with an astronaut recalling his first spaceflight.

Questions 1–6

Complete the table below.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Pre-Launch and Ascent Details

Stage	Observed detail
Pre-flight formalities	Largely in character
Academic preparation	Final completed
Journey to the launch site	Passes through the
Time left when reaching the rocket	Under hours
Seated in the capsule	Crew completes a
During pre-launch checks	Personnel remain highly

Part 2: Questions 11–20

You will hear a radio report about efforts to bring back a kind of tree in the United States.

Questions 11–15

Complete the flow-chart below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Attempts to re-establish the species

Late nineteenth century: East Asian imports bring in a lethal

Surviving specimens today persist chiefly as extensive subterranean

Early hybridisation attempts yielded little, so advancement remained

Present-day approach: interbreeding combined with alteration of the trees'

Work set back by an unforeseen between two modified strains

Questions 16–20

Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 16–20.

What is said about each of the following?

A It calculated how far the species must travel to endure.
B Both were lost within a brief interval.
C It possesses a natural defence against the disease.
D Its authorisation was anticipated during the present year.
E It has collaborated with scientists for over three decades.
F Her commitment stems from concern for her descendants.
G It will continue as a tribute to those who have died.
H Its foliage formerly enriched the surrounding earth.

the modified seedDrop or choose answer

the study from Virginia TechDrop or choose answer

the two senior researchersDrop or choose answer

the future of the projectDrop or choose answer

a long-time supporter of the workDrop or choose answer

Part 3: Questions 21–30

You will hear a discussion between a host and two scientists about the results of a twins study conducted in space.

Questions 21–22

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

Which TWO outcomes of the twins study does Dr. Platts highlight?

AIt made astronauts more reluctant to participate in genetic research.BIt provided conclusive evidence about radiation hazards.CIt resolved astronauts' worries about genetic privacy.DIt demonstrated a viable approach for conducting genetic studies in space.EIt is expected to yield technological and philosophical benefits.

Questions 23–24

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

Which TWO requirements for future Mars missions does Dr. Feinberg identify?

AShielding against all cosmic radiation.BA simple, modular laboratory for genetic analysis.CA guarantee of equal outcomes for male and female astronauts.DA mechanism for quick evaluation of unforeseen hazards.EExtensive pre-planning for any genetic experiments.

Questions 25–30

Complete the table below.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Aspect	Details
Radiation dose received during the study	comparable to the dose from medical scans
Planet with greater radiation	the destination will have elevated radiation levels
Type of radiation containing heavy nuclei	the damaging heavy nuclei are part of rays
Only location beyond Earth's protection	Earth's only unprotected destination so far is
Longest exposure outside protection	approximately two
NASA's planned lunar orbiting station	NASA is constructing a lunar orbiting outpost called

Part 4: Questions 31–40

You will hear a news report about the spread of bird flu in the United States.

Questions 31–35

Complete the summary below.

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Monitoring the virus

Researchers monitoring H5N1 in the US are hampered by insufficient about the virus's transmission. The infection has reached 129 cattle herds in 12 states and has also been detected in other , ranging from alpacas to domestic cats. Rising infections in cattle are thought to indicate that the pathogen is , which might facilitate animal-to-human transmission. Although the possibility of a global is currently limited, it could escalate rapidly. Testing of cattle is restricted to those being transported across , while people in contact with infected animals are rarely screened.

Questions 36–40

Complete the sentences below.

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

The World Health Organization reports no documented transmission of H5N1 between people; consequently, it categorises the danger to humans as currently .

CEPI intends to assemble a vaccine collection for pathogens with epidemic potential so that drugmakers can begin mass production and supply medicine within days of an outbreak.

A WHO official explains that manufacturers of vaccines for a global influenza outbreak also produce seasonal injections and thus cannot make both .

The majority of influenza vaccines depend on viruses cultivated in , a technique that may require roughly half a year to yield emergency supplies.

In July, the US government granted $176 million to a pharmaceutical company to finish development and testing of its vaccine against H5N1.

Answer these questions while you listenFree account · speed control · band score · transcript of every answer

About this listening test

Part	Recording	Questions	Question types
1	First Flight Reflections	1–10	Table completion, Multiple choice
2	Restoring the American Chestnut	11–20	Flow-chart completion, Matching features
3	Twins Study in Space	21–30	Multiple choice (choose more than one), Table completion
4	Bird Flu in the United States	31–40	Summary completion, Sentence 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: Before His Second Flight (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 2: Researchers Hope to Bring Back American Chestnuts. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
Part 3: Twins Study (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: Scientists Fear Bird Flu Pandemic Coming. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain

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