IELTS Listening Practice Test 54
4 parts · 40 questions · about 34 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 conversation about a collaboration between two scientists.
Questions 1–5
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Initial Contact Record
Reason for opening email: topic was outside his
Action taken: for the session
Source of speaking invitation: Division
Experience level: his attempt at an online talk
Later contact: a from Raj
Questions 6–10
Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Part 2: Questions 11–20
You will hear a report about newly selected edible plant varieties for home gardeners.
Questions 11–15
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
AAS edible plant winners
| Edible winner | Award level | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|
Basil Piedmont | Regional (Great Lakes and Heartland) | High tolerance of |
Tomato Tonatico F1 | Regional (Mountain/Southwest and Northeast) | Lower incidence of fruit and splitting |
Cauliflower Murasaki Fioretto 70 F1 | National | Elongated, tender |
Kohlrabi Konstance F1 | National | Durable, split-resistant with glossy skin |
Pepper Pick-N-Pop Yellow F1 | National | Exceptional defence against disease |
Questions 16–20
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 3: Questions 21–30
You will hear a podcast interview about robotic devices used on the International Space Station.
Questions 21–26
Complete the summary below. Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–I, next to Questions 21–26.
Questions 21–26
Students could observe their Drop or choose answer running live on the station. Those unable to attend MIT gathered in Drop or choose answer at their schools. The satellite was constructed with Drop or choose answer sides. It communicated with ground equipment via Drop or choose answer. It navigated using ultrasound and Drop or choose answer signals. The Astrobee initiative sought to remove the need for Drop or choose answer.
- A code
- B gymnasiums
- C 18
- D beacons
- E infrared
- F consumables
- G batteries
- H rails
- I thrusters
Questions 27–30
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 4: Questions 31–40
You will hear a NASA podcast episode about two incidents during orbital excursions.
Questions 31–35
Complete the flowchart below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Lost Shield Sequence
Questions 36–40
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
The 2013 Helmet Water Incident
- Moisture detected at the back of the
- Water reached ear cups and the , disrupting communication
- Fine in the suit's water supply obstructed a component
- The blocked water resulted in flooding of the vent loop
- Current safeguards include tests and an absorbent helmet liner
About this listening test
| Part | Recording | Questions | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | From Stars to Scans: Initial Collaboration | 1–10 | Form completion, Sentence completion |
| 2 | New Edible Plant Winners | 11–20 | Table completion, Multiple choice |
| 3 | Space Station Robotics | 21–30 | Summary completion (word list), Multiple choice |
| 4 | NASA Podcast: Lessons from Two Incidents | 31–40 | Flow-chart completion, Note 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: From Stars to Scans (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: New Fruits and Vegetables for Gardeners to Try. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
- Part 3: Abuzz on Station (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: How to Plan a Spacewalk (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)