IELTS Listening Practice Test 65
4 parts · 40 questions · about 33 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 with a NASA official about his career and leadership.
Questions 1–6
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Steve Koerner: Early Career Notes
Background
- Mentors encouraged him towards engineering due to his competence in mathematics and .
- University programme lasted years for all engineering students.
- The practical placement was compulsory rather than .
Entry to NASA
- Offered a placement without conducting an .
- First internship began in the month of .
- Year of first internship: .
Questions 7–10
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 2: Questions 11–20
You will hear a radio report about the vernal equinox and seasonal customs around the world.
Questions 11–15
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Spring Equinox Observations
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
Equinox time in Washington, D.C. | |
Equinox time in UTC | |
Meaning of Latin 'aequus' | |
First day of National Cherry Blossom Festival | |
Maya pyramid equinox effect |
Questions 16–20
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to Questions 16–20.
- A Its transient blossoms are esteemed as an aesthetic emblem.
- B Its designation literally conveys the idea of a fresh beginning.
- C Mounted competitors strive to force an animal carcass into a target.
- D Participants shower one another with tinted powder and water.
- E Local groups devote the year to building figures intended for burning.
- F The practice originated from a diplomatic presentation of trees.
- G It was designed to celebrate enduring international amity.
Part 3: Questions 21–30
You will hear a discussion about extracting resources on the Moon.
Questions 21–22
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Questions 23–24
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Questions 25–30
Complete the summary below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Engineering and assessment
Researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are investigating a material known as bulk metallic for components such as gears, because it may tolerate very low temperatures. However, remote instruments can penetrate less than one below the surface, while the LCROSS impact reached only three to five . To judge whether extraction is worthwhile, engineers borrow mining terminology and assess both and tonnage. The ice must also be abundant enough for conversion into rocket . The speaker compares a single cup of water with a whole , which would provide a far more durable supply.
Part 4: Questions 31–40
You will hear a NASA engineer talking about space communication networks and radio-frequency systems.
Questions 31–35
Label the diagram below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
NASA's communication network
Questions 36–40
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Why radio frequency is still preferred
- Can adjust to a broad range of mission demands:
- Remains accessible for prolonged periods:
- Operating principles are thoroughly comprehended:
- Comparatively straightforward to
- The engineering is regarded as
About this listening test
| Part | Recording | Questions | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leading a Technical Team | 1–10 | Note completion, Multiple choice |
| 2 | Marking the Changing Seasons | 11–20 | Table completion, Matching features |
| 3 | Mining Materials in Extreme Places | 21–30 | Multiple choice (choose more than one), Summary completion |
| 4 | Relaying Signals Across Distances | 31–40 | Diagram label 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: Leadership at All Levels (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: Vernal Equinox Marks Arrival of Spring. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
- Part 3: Living Off the Land (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: Laser Communications (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)