IELTS Listening Practice Test 66
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.
Part 1: Questions 1–10
You will hear a NASA podcast interview about the astronaut selection process and training.
Questions 1–7
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Astronaut Application Review
Astronaut application review
- Work history section: must be extremely
- Personal pursuits: hobbies and
- Total applications reviewed:
- Minimum academic qualification:
- Required professional experience:
- Nationality requirement:
- Applicants advised to read the online
Questions 8–10
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 2: Questions 11–20
You will hear a radio report about the effects of summer heat on gardens and gardeners.
Questions 11–15
Complete the flowchart below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Protecting plants during hot weather
Questions 16–20
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Part 3: Questions 21–30
You will hear a podcast interview with a scientist about his role in a NASA mission and his career.
Questions 21–26
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–I, next to Questions 21–26.
Role of the Principal Investigator
Ludger Scherliess explains that the principal investigator bears Drop or choose answer for the mission in its entirety. The role demands constant Drop or choose answer across the various teams, since the scientific side alone comprises Drop or choose answer. Although he took over the position comparatively recently, he stresses that he has an excellent Drop or choose answer behind him. At the Space Dynamics Lab, the programme manager is praised for being exceptionally Drop or choose answer, while a colleague is described as a Drop or choose answer in gravity waves.
- A ultimate accountability
- B frequent media appearances
- C cross-team coordination
- D seven distinct research groups
- E industrial partnership
- F supportive team
- G dependable
- H world-renowned authority
- I secure financial backing
Questions 27–30
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Part 4: Questions 31–40
You will hear a radio report about a survey of sleep habits in the United States.
Questions 31–35
Complete the summary below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Survey findings on sleep
Findings from a recent survey suggest that fewer than half of Americans obtain sufficient sleep. The poll found that percent of respondents believed they would feel better with more hours in bed, whereas only percent regarded their present amount as adequate. Women below the age of 50 were particularly likely to report inadequate . Sleep specialists advise that should target eight hours per night.
Questions 36–40
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
People and sleep-related pressures
| Individual | Role or context | Relevant detail |
|---|---|---|
Justine Broughal | Self-employed events | Caring for two small |
Claude Fischer | Professor of | Long-standing cultural emphasis on diligence and |
Liz Meshel | Temporarily engaged in in Bulgaria | Works part-time on U.S. hours |
About this listening test
| Part | Recording | Questions | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selecting and Training Recruits | 1–10 | Form completion, Multiple choice |
| 2 | Protecting Gardens from Heat | 11–20 | Flow-chart completion, Short-answer questions |
| 3 | A Researcher's Career Journey | 21–30 | Summary completion (word list), Multiple choice |
| 4 | Surveying Sleep Habits | 31–40 | Summary completion, Table 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: Be a NASA Astronaut (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: Heat Can Be Good or Bad for Your Garden. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain
- Part 3: Atmospheric Waves (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: Study: Most Americans Need More Sleep. VOA Learning English (learningenglish.voanews.com), public domain