Let’s be real — IELTS Listening Part 4 has a bit of a reputation. It’s that final part of the listening test where things suddenly get very serious. No more conversations, no more pauses… just one speaker, one long lecture, and ten gaps waiting to be filled. 😅
But here’s the thing:
What if I told you that this so-called “scary” part is actually one of the most useful sections of the whole IELTS Listening test?
Yep. It’s not just about test scores — it’s about training your brain to survive (and thrive!) in an English-speaking academic environment. 🧠📚
In this post, I’m going to show you exactly how it works, why it’s designed the way it is, and the one small but powerful trick that can instantly improve your score.
Let’s dive in.
🏫 What is IELTS Listening Part 4 All About?
Let’s pause for a second and really understand what this part is trying to test.
IELTS Listening Part 4 is designed to simulate what it’s like to be in a university lecture. Imagine you’re sitting in a lecture hall, listening to a professor give a talk on a scientific or academic topic — that’s the kind of setting this part is based on. The topics are usually more academic or scientific, and the speaker talks for a longer time without interruption.
And let me tell you something from personal experience…
🎓 I did my Master’s degree in International Relations, and all my classes were taught in English. During lectures, I had to take a lot of notes — not full sentences, but summaries that helped me understand the main points. And honestly? That’s exactly the kind of skill you need for IELTS Listening Part 4. It’s not just about testing your English — it’s actually helping you prepare for real university life.
So if you’re planning to study abroad or take courses in English later on, this part of the IELTS is super valuable.
✍️ How Does It Work?
Here’s what you can expect in Part 4:
There are 10 fill-in-the-blank questions 📝
You usually need to write only ONE word for each blank 🧠
You’ll hear the recording once, so focus is key! 🕰️
But here’s the big question: how do you know what word to write?
💡 My Best Tip: Most of the Answers Are Nouns!
Okay, here’s the golden tip I always tell my clients (and it’s backed by real data!):
👉 In IELTS Listening Part 4, most of the answers — if not all — are nouns.
Yes, you read that right. Let me prove it to you with actual examples:
📘 Cambridge IELTS 17 — all Part 4 answers: nouns
📗 Cambridge IELTS 18 — again, all nouns
📙 Cambridge IELTS 19 — you guessed it… nouns!
Take Cambridge IELTS 19 – General Training / Academic (Computer-based) FREE
Now, does this mean that every answer in every test will always be a noun? Maybe not always. But here’s the key takeaway:
🎯 If you’re unsure between a few options, and they all make sense in the sentence — choose the noun. You’ll have a much higher chance of getting it right.
It’s a simple trick, but it’s incredibly effective, especially when you’re under pressure and have to make quick decisions.
🥳 Final Thoughts about IELTS Listening Part 4
So, to wrap it all up:
✅ Part 4 is like a university lecture
✅ You’ll usually have to fill in 10 blanks — one word each
✅ Most answers are nouns — so when in doubt, pick the noun
✅ Practice for free at www.practice9.co
That’s it from me for now! Go ahead and give it a try. And remember — have fun learning! Learning English (and preparing for IELTS) doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right strategies and a bit of practice, you’ve got this 💪
See you in your next study session — and until then, have fun learning! 🎧😊
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