Now turn to Section 3. Section 3. You will hear 2 archaeology students called May and Thomas talking about the excavations they have been involved in. First, you have some time to look at Questions 21 to 25. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25. Hi Thomas. Did you have a good time in Turkey?
Now turn to Section 3. Section 3. You will hear 2 archaeology students called May and Thomas talking about the excavations they have been involved in. First, you have some time to look at Questions 21 to 25. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25. Hi Thomas. Did you have a good time in Turkey?
Hi may I had a great time but I have to say, although I've always been keen on being an archaeologist before I went on an excavation, I used to find some of the things we did in class, totally mystifying.
Me too. Before I did my trip to Egypt, I was often irritated at not being able to picture exactly what the lecturers meant. They were always so excited about everything.
Yeah, we did a lot of practical stuff on the excavation, which I really needed. Was it harder than you expected?
Yes, mostly I learned a lot more about the rules of archaeology. I was really taken aback by how precise you have to be with your data collection and recording. I took loads of photographs and they proved very useful and the drawing went well too.
Yes, I think I'm quite good with the camera. I minded about the recording though. I had no idea it would take so much time. Did you find anything particularly interesting when you were digging?
Sample Questions
- Question 1: Multiple choice — choose the best description of the main argument.
- Question 2: True / False / Not Given — decide if the statement matches the text.
- Question 3: Gap-fill — complete the summary using words from the passage.
About this practice
Cambridge IELTS Listening tests are the most trusted practice materials available, reflecting the actual test format and difficulty. Each test comprises four sections ranging from everyday social conversations to academic lectures. Consistent practice with authentic Cambridge audio helps you adapt to natural speech patterns, real speaking speeds and the pressure of time-constrained information processing. IELTS Mate interactive platform lets you pause, replay and check answers instantly, making your listening practice more effective. The automatic scoring system gives immediate feedback on your performance so you can focus on areas that matter most.
FAQ
How many sections does IELTS Listening have?
IELTS Listening consists of 4 sections: everyday conversation, monologue, academic discussion, and academic lecture. There are 40 questions in total to be completed in 30 minutes.
How can I improve my IELTS Listening score?
Daily listening practice is key. Start at a slower pace, focus on keywords and synonyms. Practice predicting answers from context and review recordings to understand missed words.
Is IELTS Listening the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes, the Listening component is identical for both IELTS versions. The difference only lies in the Reading and Writing sections.