Reading and Listening
31 free cards on question types, Listening traps and the answer rules that cost marks. Answer first, then flip.
True: the text agrees with the statement. False: the text contradicts it. Not Given: the text does not say.
Tip: Never use your own knowledge. Only the passage counts.
Yes: the statement agrees with the writer's view or claim. No: it contradicts it. Not Given: the writer does not express a view.
Tip: Used for opinion-based passages. Look for the writer's attitude.
Read the first sentence and last sentence of each paragraph, find the main idea and match it to a heading. Some headings are not used.
Tip: Do paragraphs with a clear idea first. The extra headings are distractors.
Find which paragraph contains each piece of information. A paragraph may be used more than once or not at all.
Tip: The questions are not in the order of the passage.
Check the word limit, the grammar of the gap and the spelling. Copy words from the text.
Tip: Read the sentence before and after the gap to check it makes sense.
Check whether you choose words from the passage or from a given list, and that the answer fits grammatically.
Tip: The summary follows the order of the passage.
Eliminate options that are clearly wrong, then find the evidence for the best one in the passage.
Tip: Watch for options that are true in general but not stated in the text.
Answer with words from the text and respect the word limit, for example NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.
Tip: Do not rephrase the answer.
Reading quickly to understand the main idea and structure of a passage.
Tip: Spend 2 to 3 minutes skimming, then read the questions.
Looking for specific words, names, numbers or dates without reading everything.
Tip: Scan for capital letters and figures first.
The question rarely uses the same words as the passage, so you must recognise paraphrases of the key words.
Tip: Underline keywords in each question, then think of other words for them.
Section 1: short everyday texts. Section 2: work-related texts. Section 3: one longer text.
Tip: Section 3 is usually the hardest, so protect your time.
Usually yes, except for matching information and some matching headings tasks.
Tip: This lets you work forwards through the text.
Part 1: an everyday conversation. Part 2: a monologue on a social topic. Part 3: a conversation in an educational setting. Part 4: an academic lecture.
Tip: Difficulty rises from Part 1 to Part 4.
No. The recording plays once only.
Tip: Use the pauses to read ahead.
Read the questions, underline keywords and predict the type of answer (a name, a number, a place).
Tip: Prediction helps you spot the answer when you hear it.
A speaker mentions one answer and then changes it, for example "Tuesday... no, sorry, Wednesday".
Tip: Wait for the final decision before you write.
however, actually, in fact, but, on the other hand, the main reason is...
Tip: These often mark a correction or the key point.
Listen for the difference between 13 and 30, 15 and 50, and write dates and numbers in figures.
Tip: Check the format the question asks for.
Yes. A misspelled answer is marked wrong, including missing plural -s.
Tip: Practise spelling common names and place words.
Find your starting point, follow the direction words (opposite, next to, on the left) and track the speaker as they move.
Tip: Our guide to map labelling explains the method.
British, Australian, American, Canadian and New Zealand accents are all used.
Tip: Listen to a mix of English-language media.
On paper: 10 minutes at the end. On computer: 2 minutes to review.
Tip: On paper, write answers on the question paper as you listen.
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS means one or two words. A hyphenated word counts as one word.
Tip: An answer over the limit is marked wrong, even if the idea is correct.
Yes. A number counts as one word, and you may write it as a figure.
Tip: Check the instruction: some questions say "AND/OR A NUMBER".
Yes for names and places. Capital letters are accepted for all answers, so you can write in capitals if you are unsure.
Tip: Write clearly on the paper test.
No. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so always write something.
Tip: Make an informed guess if you run out of time.
60 minutes for 40 questions. There is no extra time to transfer answers.
Tip: Write answers on the answer sheet as you go.
About 30 minutes of audio plus transfer time, with 40 questions.
Tip: The paper test has 10 extra minutes, the computer test has 2.
Let it go and focus on the next question. Do not stay on one question while the recording continues.
Tip: Come back to it during the transfer time if you can.
Listening and Reading are scored out of 40 correct answers, then converted to a band between 0 and 9.
Tip: About 30 correct answers is roughly band 7 for Academic.
Yes. All cards are free with no registration. Your progress is saved in your own browser.
Yes. The Listening cards apply to both versions, and the Reading cards cover the question types in both, plus the General Training sections.
No. A wrong answer scores the same as a blank, so always write an answer.
Reading is 60 minutes with no extra transfer time. Listening is about 30 minutes of audio plus 10 minutes to transfer answers on paper, or 2 minutes to review on the computer.