Here is an example IELTS listening test with 4 sections:
Section 1
In this section, you will hear a conversation between two students discussing their experience living in university accommodation.
Man: Hi Lisa, how are you finding living in the university dorms so far this year?
Woman: Hi Jim. It’s been okay, but there are some things that could be better. The rooms are quite small and cramped. I’m sharing with another student and there’s not much personal space.
Man: Yeah, I feel the same in my room. And the walls seem very thin. I can hear my neighbors late at night or early in the morning.
Woman: Definitely. It can make it hard to sleep or study at times. And the bathrooms are down the hall shared by everyone on the floor. So sometimes there’s a line or they’re not very clean.
Man: What about the food? I’ve heard mixed reviews about the dining hall.
Woman: The food is average, I’d say. It’s convenient having it in the same building. But it gets repetitive after a while and lacks variety. I wish there were more healthy options.
Man: That’s one thing I miss is home cooked meals. The location is good though – close to classes and the gym.
Woman: Yes, I agree! The location makes up for some of the other drawbacks. Overall, it’s fine for now but maybe I’ll look for an apartment with friends next year.
Man: I might do the same. Get a bit more space and independence. Anyway, hopefully we both adjust and the rest of the year goes well!
Section 2
In this section, you will hear a tour guide telling a group about the history of a cathedral.
Guide: Welcome everyone to Chester Cathedral, one of the oldest and most historical cathedrals in Britain. Records show a church was first founded on this site all the way back in the 7th century, over 1300 years ago! It was just a small timber church at the time. Over the next centuries, the church was rebuilt and expanded as it grew in importance. Finally in 1075, a huge stone abbey was constructed here during the Norman era. Parts of this original Norman abbey can still be seen today in the cathedral’s architecture. In 1541, the abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII and it became a cathedral of the new Church of England. Fortunately, much of the beautiful medieval architecture and decor was preserved.Notable features include the carved medieval choir stalls, the Lady Chapel with ornate stained glass windows and the cloisters surrounding a central courtyard. Today, Chester Cathedral remains a center of Christian worship, as well as a popular tourist destination. During your visit today, you’ll get to experience nearly 1000 years of history!
Section 3
In this section, you will hear two students discussing their plans for a group presentation.
Man: Hi Sarah, are you ready to start planning our group presentation for business class next week?
Woman: Hi John. Yes, we should probably decide on a topic and how we are going to approach it.
Man: Do you have any ideas for what we should do the presentation on? I’m open to anything related to our course.
Woman: What about something related to marketing or advertising? I thought maybe we could analyze a company’s marketing strategy.
Man: That’s a great idea! We could pick a popular consumer brand and examine their advertising campaigns. There’s a lot of interesting examples we could look at.
Woman: Exactly, I think that would work well for this assignment. So should we focus on TV ads, social media or a combination?
Man: Let’s do both traditional television ads and their newer social media marketing. I can look into some of their viral Facebook and YouTube campaigns.
Woman: Perfect. I can research when they started TV advertising and some of their most memorable commercials over the years. Then we can compare the two mediums.
Man: Sounds like we have a good plan. If we each do some research, we can bring it together for the presentation. How many minutes are we supposed to present for?
Woman: I believe we have to give a 10 minute presentation. So we should structure it carefully. I can work on the introduction and conclusion.
Man: Okay, great. I can fill in the key points for the body. And we should leave a few minutes for questions at the end.
Woman: Yes, that’s a good idea. This will be great if we work together on it. Let’s meet in two days to go over what we’ve found.
Man: Sounds good! I think this presentation has the potential to be really interesting.
Section 4
In this section, you will hear a lecture about the benefits of public libraries.
Professor: Good morning, today I want to share some of the key benefits that public libraries provide, particularly in times of financial hardship. While usage of libraries has declined somewhat with the digital age, they still play a vital role for many communities.
One of the most essential services libraries offer is free access to computers and the internet. For those who cannot afford internet at home or lack the necessary devices, libraries fill this gap. They provide a place to search and apply for jobs, file for unemployment benefits, and gain digital skills.
Libraries also provide free programming for children and adults. This includes everything from story times for kids to author talks and workshops on job skills like resume writing. This programming may be the only cultural and educational opportunity some people have access to.
Importantly, libraries offer free access to books, movies and other resources for education and entertainment. When disposable income is low, libraries allow people to keep reading, learning and growing. Whether it’s finding a new hobby or gaining knowledge to start a career, libraries are vital for self-improvement.
Libraries also act as vital community hubs, providing space for people to gather and socialize particularly in economically depressed areas. This fosters a sense of community and connection.
While libraries have faced budget cuts, the many services they provide are more important than ever during recessions. Policymakers should remember how essential libraries are, especially for lower income residents. With more funding and support, libraries can continue to serve communities even in the toughest of times.