Free IELTS Listening Practice Test 2027: With Answers and Band Score

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Listening is the IELTS section where candidates lose the most marks to panic. The recording is played once, the speaker does not wait, and if you miss one answer you can lose the next three while you are still thinking about it. The only cure is practice under the same conditions: one hearing, no replay, answers written as you listen.

This article gives you a complete Listening practice test — 40 original questions across all four parts, with transcripts, answers and the official band-score table so you can convert your score instantly. The transcripts are short study versions written for this article: they teach the question types and the listening skills, and they let you check exactly where you went wrong. Read each transcript once, answer the questions without looking back, and only then check your answers.

How the test works

Parts	4 (recordings), 10 questions each
Questions	40, 1 mark each, no negative marking
Timing	About 30 minutes; paper test adds 10 minutes to transfer answers
Recordings	Played once only
Academic vs General	The Listening test is the same for both

Part 1 is a conversation in an everyday social context — booking something, asking about a service. Part 2 is a monologue in an everyday context — a guide, a welcome talk, an announcement. Part 3 is a conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context — students discussing a project. Part 4 is a monologue on an academic subject — a lecture. The difficulty rises through the test: Part 1 uses everyday language, Part 4 uses academic vocabulary.

How to use this test

Set a timer for 30 minutes. Read each transcript once — out loud if you can, or silently at normal reading speed — and answer the questions as you go, without looking back at the transcript. In the real test you cannot replay the recording, so do not replay the text. Write your answers down, then check them against the answer key and read the explanations for every question you missed. Use the band table at the end to convert your score.

Part 1 — A phone call to a sports centre (Questions 1–10)

You will hear a woman phoning a community sports centre to ask about membership. Read the form first, then answer Questions 1–6. For Questions 7–10, choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Transcript — Part 1

Receptionist: Good morning, Riverside Sports Centre. How can I help?
Sara: Hello, I'd like to ask about membership. I'm moving to the area next month and I want to join a gym.
Receptionist: Of course. Can I take your name first?
Sara: It's Sara Ahmed — S-A-R-A, Ahmed, A-H-M-E-D.
Receptionist: Thank you, Sara. And a contact number?
Sara: My mobile is 07813 556 290.
Receptionist: Great. Now, we have three membership types. The monthly membership is £32 a month, the annual membership is £300 for the year, and the student membership is £22 a month with a valid student card.
Sara: The annual one sounds good. What does it include?
Receptionist: It includes the gym, the swimming pool and all fitness classes. The monthly membership includes the gym and the pool, but classes cost £5 each. The student membership includes everything, but only off-peak — before 4 pm on weekdays.
Sara: I work during the day, so I'd need evenings. What time does the centre close?
Receptionist: We close at 10 pm on weekdays and 8 pm at weekends. The pool closes half an hour earlier.
Sara: And is there a joining fee?
Receptionist: There is a £25 joining fee, but we are waiving it this month for new annual members.
Sara: That's good. One more thing — is there parking?
Receptionist: Yes, there is free parking for members, but you need to register your car number when you join.

Questions 1–6 — Complete the form. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. Name: Sara __________
2. Mobile: __________
3. Annual membership fee: £ __________ per year
4. Joining fee this month for annual members: £ __________
5. Weekday closing time: __________ pm
6. Parking for members is __________ (one word)

Questions 7–10 — Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

7. The annual membership includes:
   A. the gym only
   B. the gym, the pool and all classes
   C. the gym and the pool, with classes extra

8. The student membership is restricted because it is:
   A. only for the gym
   B. only off-peak
   C. only at weekends

9. The swimming pool closes at:
   A. 10 pm on weekdays
   B. 9:30 pm on weekdays
   C. 8 pm on weekdays

10. To use the car park, a new member must:
    A. pay for parking
    B. register the car number
    C. park only at weekends

Answers — Part 1

1. Ahmed — the surname is spelled out: A-H-M-E-D.
2. 07813 556 290 — write the number exactly as heard.
3. 300 — the annual membership is £300 per year.
4. 0 — the £25 joining fee is waived this month, so the fee is £0. (Writing "25" is the classic trap: the fee exists, but it is not charged this month.)
5. 10 — the centre closes at 10 pm on weekdays.
6. free — parking is free for members.
7. B — the gym, the pool and all classes.
8. B — student membership is off-peak only, before 4 pm on weekdays.
9. B — the pool closes half an hour before the 10 pm closing time, so 9:30 pm.
10. B — members must register their car number when they join.

Part 2 — A welcome talk at a new library (Questions 11–20)

You will hear the librarian welcoming visitors to a new library. For Questions 11–14, choose the correct letter, A, B or C. For Questions 15–20, match each facility to its location.

Transcript — Part 2

Librarian: Welcome to Hillfield Library — thank you all for coming to our opening day. Let me show you around. On the ground floor, as you come in, the children's section is on your left, with picture books and a story corner. Straight ahead is the main desk, where you can borrow and return books. The computer area is on the ground floor too, at the back, near the windows — there are twelve computers, and you can book one for an hour at a time. Upstairs, on the first floor, you'll find the study rooms — six quiet rooms you can book for group work — and the local history collection, which is in the far corner by the stairs. The café is also upstairs, next to the study rooms, and it serves drinks and light meals until 4 pm. The toilets are on the ground floor, beside the main desk. Finally, the car park is behind the building, and there is a cycle rack by the main entrance. The library is open from 9 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

Questions 11–14 — Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

11. The children's section is:
    A. on the first floor
    B. on the ground floor, on the left
    C. at the back of the building

12. How many computers are in the computer area?
    A. 6
    B. 10
    C. 12

13. The café serves food until:
    A. 4 pm
    B. 8 pm
    C. 10 am

14. The library is closed on:
    A. Saturdays
    B. Sundays
    C. Mondays

Questions 15–20 — Match each facility to its location. Write the correct letter, A–F.

A. ground floor, on the left
B. ground floor, at the back
C. ground floor, beside the main desk
D. first floor, by the stairs
E. first floor, next to the study rooms
F. behind the building

15. Children's section — ___
16. Computer area — ___
17. Toilets — ___
18. Local history collection — ___
19. Café — ___
20. Car park — ___

Answers — Part 2

11. B — the children's section is on the ground floor, on the left as you come in.
12. C — twelve computers.
13. A — the café serves drinks and light meals until 4 pm.
14. B — the library is closed on Sundays.
15. A — children's section: ground floor, on the left.
16. B — computer area: ground floor, at the back, near the windows.
17. C — toilets: ground floor, beside the main desk.
18. D — local history collection: first floor, in the far corner by the stairs.
19. E — café: first floor, next to the study rooms.
20. F — car park: behind the building.
    
    
    

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Part 3 — Students planning a group presentation (Questions 21–30)

You will hear three students — Maria, Tom and Priya — discussing their group presentation on renewable energy. For Questions 21–26, choose the correct letter, A, B or C. For Questions 27–30, match each student to their opinion.

Transcript — Part 3

Maria: OK, so our presentation is on renewable energy, and we have fifteen minutes. I think we should start with solar power, because it's the easiest to explain.
Tom: I agree solar is a good start, but I think we should spend most of our time on wind power. There's more data on wind in this country, and the tutor said she wants numbers.
Priya: I don't mind either way, but I think we need a case study. If we only talk in general terms, it will be boring. What about the wind farm in the north — the one we read about last week?
Maria: That's a good idea. The case study could be the middle section, after solar and before the conclusion. But who will present it?
Tom: I can do the case study. I've already read the article, and I have the figures. Priya, could you do the introduction?
Priya: Sure, I can introduce the topic and explain why renewable energy matters. Maria, you can do solar power and the conclusion.
Maria: Fine. What about the slides? I think we should keep them simple — one idea per slide, and not too much text.
Tom: Yes, and we should add a chart for the wind farm data. A chart is much clearer than a list of numbers.
Priya: I agree about the chart. But I think we should also have a short video — maybe thirty seconds — of the wind farm. It would make the presentation more interesting.
Maria: Hmm, a video might be risky. If the technology fails, we lose time. Let's keep the video as a backup, and use it only if everything works.
Tom: Good plan. So — Priya does the introduction, I do wind power and the case study, Maria does solar and the conclusion. And we meet again on Thursday to practise.
Priya: Thursday at 2 pm in the library. And let's each send our slides to Maria by Wednesday, so she can put them together.

Questions 21–26 — Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

21. Maria suggests starting with solar power because it is:
    A. the most important source of energy
    B. the easiest to explain
    C. the tutor's favourite topic

22. Tom wants to spend most of the time on wind power because:
    A. there is more data on wind in this country
    B. wind power is cheaper than solar power
    C. he has already written the wind section

23. Priya suggests a case study because:
    A. the tutor asked for one
    B. a presentation without one would be boring
    C. the group has no data

24. Tom agrees to present the case study because:
    A. he has already read the article and has the figures
    B. he visited the wind farm
    C. Maria asked him to

25. The group decides to use a video:
    A. as the main part of the presentation
    B. only as a backup, if the technology works
    C. instead of the chart

26. The group will meet again on Thursday to:
    A. write their slides
    B. practise the presentation
    C. visit the wind farm

Questions 27–30 — Match each student to their opinion. Write the correct letter, A–C.

A. Maria
B. Tom
C. Priya

27. The slides should be simple, with one idea per slide. — ___
28. A chart is clearer than a list of numbers. — ___
29. A short video would make the presentation more interesting. — ___
30. The introduction should explain why renewable energy matters. — ___

Answers — Part 3

21. B — solar is "the easiest to explain".
22. A — "there's more data on wind in this country, and the tutor said she wants numbers."
23. B — "If we only talk in general terms, it will be boring."
24. A — Tom has "already read the article, and I have the figures."
25. B — the video is a backup, "use it only if everything works".
26. B — they meet "to practise" the presentation.
27. A (Maria) — "keep them simple — one idea per slide".
28. B (Tom) — "a chart is much clearer than a list of numbers".
29. C (Priya) — she suggests the 30-second video.
30. C (Priya) — she agrees to "introduce the topic and explain why renewable energy matters."

Part 4 — A lecture on bees and pollination (Questions 31–40)

You will hear a lecturer talking about bees and pollination. For Questions 31–36, complete the notes. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. For Questions 37–40, choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Transcript — Part 4

Lecturer: Today I want to talk about bees — not honey, but pollination. About three-quarters of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators, and bees are the most important group. When a bee visits a flower to collect nectar, pollen sticks to its body, and when it visits the next flower, some of that pollen is transferred. This is how most fruit, vegetables and nuts are produced. In fact, around one in every three mouthfuls of food we eat depends on pollinators. But bee numbers are falling. There are three main reasons. The first is habitat loss: as cities grow and farms become larger, the wild flowers that bees depend on disappear. The second is pesticides — chemicals used to kill insects on crops can also harm bees, even in small amounts. The third is disease: a tiny mite called Varroa spreads viruses between bees in a colony. What can be done? The most effective step is to plant wild flowers — even a small garden or a window box helps. The second is to reduce pesticide use, especially on flowering plants. And the third is to support local beekeepers, who look after the colonies and monitor their health. If we do nothing, the cost will be enormous: some crops would become so expensive that only a few people could afford them.

Questions 31–36 — Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

31. About __________ of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators.
32. Pollen is transferred when a bee visits the __________ flower.
33. Around one in __________ mouthfuls of food depends on pollinators.
34. The first reason bee numbers are falling is __________ loss.
35. The mite that spreads viruses between bees is called __________.
36. The most effective step is to plant __________ flowers.

Questions 37–40 — Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

37. Pesticides harm bees because:
    A. they kill all insects immediately
    B. they can harm bees even in small amounts
    C. they are sprayed only on flowers

38. The lecturer says a window box can help because:
    A. it is cheap
    B. even a small space with wild flowers helps bees
    C. bees prefer gardens to fields

39. Local beekeepers are important because they:
    A. sell honey cheaply
    B. look after colonies and monitor their health
    C. plant wild flowers in cities

40. If nothing is done, the lecturer says:
    A. all bees will disappear within a year
    B. some crops would become very expensive
    C. farmers will stop growing fruit

Answers — Part 4

31. three-quarters — "about three-quarters of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators."
32. next — "when it visits the next flower, some of that pollen is transferred."
33. three — "around one in every three mouthfuls of food we eat depends on pollinators."
34. habitat — the first reason is habitat loss.
35. Varroa — "a tiny mite called Varroa spreads viruses between bees."
36. wild — "plant wild flowers — even a small garden or a window box helps."
37. B — pesticides "can also harm bees, even in small amounts".
38. B — "even a small garden or a window box helps."
39. B — beekeepers "look after the colonies and monitor their health".
40. B — "some crops would become so expensive that only a few people could afford them."
    
    
    

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Answer key

1 Ahmed · 2 07813 556 290 · 3 300 · 4 0 · 5 10 · 6 free · 7 B · 8 B · 9 B · 10 B · 11 B · 12 C · 13 A · 14 B · 15 A · 16 B · 17 C · 18 D · 19 E · 20 F · 21 B · 22 A · 23 B · 24 A · 25 B · 26 B · 27 A · 28 B · 29 C · 30 C · 31 three-quarters · 32 next · 33 three · 34 habitat · 35 Varroa · 36 wild · 37 B · 38 B · 39 B · 40 B

Your band score

This table is IDP's published Listening conversion. It shows the average marks required for each band — the exact marks can vary slightly between tests, because different versions are statistically equated.

Correct answers (out of 40)	Band
39–40	9.0
37–38	8.5
35–36	8.0
32–34	7.5
30–31	7.0
26–29	6.5
23–25	6.0
18–22	5.5
16–17	5.0

• 30 correct = Band 7. That is the threshold most universities ask for.
• 23 correct = Band 6. The minimum for many visa and study requirements.
• 35 correct = Band 8. A strong score that shows you follow fast, academic speech.

Score guide — what to do next

• 35–40 (Band 8–9): Your listening is strong. Focus on IELTS Reading and the full academic mock test to balance your preparation.
• 30–34 (Band 7–7.5): You are at the target band. Your errors are probably in Part 3 and Part 4 — academic discussion and lectures. Practise note-taking while listening, and read the questions before the recording starts.
• 23–29 (Band 6–6.5): You understand everyday English but lose marks on detail. The most common causes: spelling errors in form completion, missing the distractor (the speaker mentions two numbers and only one is correct — Q4 is a classic example), and losing your place after a missed answer. Practise with the transcripts: listen, answer, then read the transcript to see what you missed.
• Below 23 (Band 5.5 or lower): Build your everyday vocabulary first, then re-take this test. Focus on Part 1 and Part 2 — those are the sections where careful listening earns the most marks for the least effort.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Listening test the same for Academic and General Training?

Yes. The Listening test is identical for both — the same four parts, the same question types, the same band scale. Only Reading and Writing differ between Academic and General Training.

Can I hear the recording twice?

No. Each recording is played once only. That is why the exam gives you time to read the questions before each part — use it. Underline key words in the questions (numbers, names, dates) so you know what to listen for.

Does the computer test give me 10 minutes to transfer answers?

No. The 10 minutes of transfer time is only for the paper-based test. On the computer-delivered test you type your answers as you listen, and you get 2 minutes at the end to check them. Practise typing answers under time pressure if you are taking the computer test.

How exact must my spelling be in completion questions?

Exact. Answers are marked by the computer or by an examiner against a fixed key, and a misspelled word is marked wrong. Note the word limit: if the instruction says "ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER", writing two words makes the answer wrong even if both words are correct.

Where can I find more free practice?

Start with the free IELTS practice test hub for the full four-skill plan, then take the free IELTS Reading practice test and the free academic mock test. For scoring, see how IELTS is scored and IDP's Listening band scores table.

All transcripts and questions here are original MissMono study material written for this article. They do not reproduce real IELTS test content. IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.