IELTS Listening Part 1 Practice Test

Q: Which English exam is the easiest?

There is no official answer to which English proficiency test is the easiest. The difficulty of an exam depends on your English skills, test-taking preferences, and familiarity with the exam format. Some candidates may find IELTS easier, while others may prefer exams such as TOEFL or PTE.

Q: Does the UK prefer IELTS or TOEFL?

The UK accepts both IELTS and TOEFL for many academic and professional purposes. However, IELTS is one of the most commonly used English language tests in the UK and is widely recognised by universities, employers, and government bodies, including for certain visa and immigration purposes.

Prepare for success with free IELTS Listening Part 1 practice test.

Listening Section 1

IELTS Listening Section 1 Practice Test

Play the audio and answer Questions 1–10. In the real exam you hear the recording once. Type your answers or choose the options, then click Submit to check them against the answer key.

Part 1 · Questions 1–10

Homestay Application

You will hear a conversation between a student and a housing officer. Listen and complete the answers below.

Audio for Part 1 (Questions 1–10).

View Audio Transcript

Man: Yes? What can I do for you?

Girl: My friend is in a homestay and she really enjoys it, so I'd like to join a family as well.

Man: Okay, let me get some details. What's your name?

Girl: My name is Keiko Yuichini.

Man: Could you spell your family name for me, please?

Girl: Yes. It's Yuichini. That's Y U I C H I N I.

Man: And your first name?

Girl: It's Keiko, K E I K O.

Man: That's Keiko Yuichini. Okay, and you're female. What is your nationality?

Girl: I'm Japanese.

Man: Right. And could I see your passport, please?

Girl: Here it is!

Man: Okay. Your passport number is J O 6 3 3 7. And you are how old?

Girl: I'm 28 years old.

Man: And what course are you enrolled in?

Girl: Well, I've enrolled for 20 weeks in the Advanced English Studies because I need help with my writing. And I'm nearly at the end of my first five-week course.

Man: Right, so you've completed 5 weeks and you have enrolled for another 15 weeks. That's about four months altogether.

Girl: That's right, about 4 months.

Man: And how long do you plan to stay with homestay?

Girl: About 4 months longer if I like it.

Man: Okay. Do you smoke or drink?

Girl: No and no. I'd rather be with a family of people who do not smoke or drink.

Man: Okay. What about pets?

Girl: Oh, I love animals! I'm a veterinarian so that's fine. The more the better!

Man: Are you a vegetarian? Or do you have any special food requirements?

Girl: No, I'm not a vegetarian but I don't eat a lot of meat. I really like seafood.

Man: Do you play any sports?

Girl: Yes. I joined the handball team but I didn't like that so I stopped playing. I played tennis on the weekend with my friends.

Man: Are you familiar with the public transport system?

Girl: Not really. I've been to the city a few times on the bus, but they're always late. I like catching trains, they're much faster.

Man: Would it be okay to leave this with me? Could you come back after class this afternoon? I'll check my records and give you details this afternoon.

Girl: Yes, of course. Thank you for your help.

Time 20:00

Questions 1–5

Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Personal Details for Homestay Application

First name

Family nameYuichini

GenderFemale

Age28

Passport number

NationalityJapanese

Course enrolled

Length of the course

Homestay time

Question 6

Choose TWO letters. Which kind of family does the girl prefer?

A – A big family with many young children B – A family without smokers or drinkers C – A family without any pets D – A family with many animals or pets

Questions 7–10

Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

7 Although the girl is not a vegetarian, her favourite food is .

8 The girl has given up handball. Now she just plays with her friends at weekends.

9 The girl does not like the bus because they are always late. She would rather .

10 The girl can get the information about the homestay family that she wants .

About IELTS Listening Part 1 Practice Test

The free IELTS Listening Part 1 practice test helps you prepare for conversations commonly featured in the exam. In this section, you will listen to two speakers in an everyday social setting and answer questions based on key details, factual information, and important points discussed.

Task Format	Skills Assessed
Conversation between 2 speakers	Listening for details, identifying factual information, and understanding everyday conversations

Types of Tasks in IELTS Listening Part 1

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Choose the correct answer from the options provided after listening to the recording. These questions test your understanding of key ideas, details, and opinions.

2. Matching Questions

Match information, statements, or features with the correct options. This tests your ability to identify connections and relationships between ideas.

3. Plan, Map, or Diagram Labelling

Label locations or parts of a map, plan, or diagram based on information you hear. These questions assess your understanding of directions and spatial descriptions.

4. Form, Note, Table, Flow Chart, or Summary Completion

Fill in missing information using words or numbers from the recording. This tests your ability to identify specific facts and important details.

5. Sentence Completion

Complete incomplete sentences with information from the audio. These questions evaluate your understanding of key points and factual information.

6. Short-Answer Questions

Answer direct questions using a limited number of words and/or numbers from the recording. This tests your ability to listen for specific details accurately.

Expert IELTS Listening Part 1 Practice Tips

1. Read the Questions Before the Audio Begins

Use the preparation time to quickly scan the questions and underline key details such as names, dates, addresses, and numbers. This simple habit helps you know exactly what information to listen for during the recording.

2. Familiarize Yourself with Everyday Topics

Part 1 focuses on common situations such as booking accommodations, enrolling in a course, or making inquiries. Practicing these types of conversations through an IELTS Listening Part 1 practice test can help you understand the context more easily and answer with greater confidence.

3. Watch Out for Paraphrased Information

The answers are rarely spoken exactly as they appear in the questions. Speakers often use synonyms or different phrases to convey the same meaning, so train yourself to recognize these variations while listening. You can also practice these types of questions more and more on IELTS online test.

4. Pay Extra Attention to Numbers and Spellings

Many answers involve phone numbers, dates, prices, postcodes, or names. Even if you understand the conversation, a small spelling or number error can lead to a lost mark, so accuracy is essential.

5. Don't Rush to Write Your Answer

Speakers sometimes correct themselves or change important details midway through the conversation. Listen carefully until the full piece of information is given before deciding on your final answer.

6. Practice Consistently Under Test Conditions

Regular practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your listening skills. Taking a free IELTS Listening Part 1 practice test from trusted platforms like Gurully can help you get comfortable with the exam format, improve concentration, and build confidence for test day.

FAQs

Is a 7 IELTS score easy?

An IELTS Band 7 is considered a good score and indicates that you are a good user of English with an operational command of the language, although you may make occasional inaccuracies or misunderstandings. Achieving Band 7 requires consistent preparation and a strong grasp of English skills, so it is not generally considered easy.

Which English exam is the easiest?

Which is more widely accepted, TOEFL or IELTS?

Both IELTS and TOEFL are widely accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities around the world. However, IELTS is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations globally, including institutions in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA, making it one of the most widely recognised English language tests.

Can I crack IELTS in 7 days?

Yes, it is possible to prepare for IELTS in seven days if you already have a good level of English proficiency. However, one week is usually not enough time to significantly improve your English skills from scratch. The official IELTS guidance recommends familiarising yourself with the test format and practising regularly before taking the exam.

Does the UK prefer IELTS or TOEFL?

Which IELTS is better, IDP or British?

Neither IDP nor the British Council version of IELTS is better than the other. Both organisations are official co-owners of the IELTS test, use the same test format, scoring system, and assessment criteria. The certificate you receive is also identical, regardless of whether you take the test through IDP or the British Council.

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