IELTS Listening Practice Test | 2026-01-29

**Narrator:** Now turn to section one. You are going to hear a conversation between an agent and a client. First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6. Now listen to the tape and answer questions 1 to 6.
**Agent:** Hello.
**Client:** Hi. Good morning. Are you open yet?
**Agent:** Yes, we are. Come in. Would you like to rent an apartment in the city?
**Client:** Well, kind of. I'd rather rent one near the harbor if possible.
**Agent:** Oh, okay. Do you like the water?
**Client:** Yes, I do, but I actually repair sailboats for a living. So, I'd like to be close to work.
**Agent:** That's understandable. We all want to live close to work. Well, I think I have something near there. How many rooms would you like?
**Client:** Just one. I'm alone. But I would like to have an extra room for my dog.
**Agent:** So, you'd like two rooms and an apartment that accepts animals? Hmm. Here's one. It's one block up from the harbor and renting for $445. How's that?
**Client:** That's perfect. Just what I was hoping to pay. What floor is it on?
**Agent:** Floor? Oh, it's on the 12th floor.
**Client:** That's too high. I'd like to be on the first or second floor so that I don't have to use the elevator. My dog, he's scared of them.
**Agent:** Oh, well then that's a little more complicated. Let me make a few calls. Okay, I think I found a couple more for you. Here's one that might suit your needs.
**Client:** How much?
**Agent:** $395 a month.
**Client:** That's cheap.
**Agent:** But it's only a one-bedroom, a large one, but it's still just one room.
**Client:** Oh, well, regardless of whether the room is small, I still need a separate room for my dog. What else do you have?
**Agent:** Then I have a two-bedroom for $565 on the second floor that is a little further away from the harbor.
**Client:** How far?
**Agent:** About a half mile. And they accept pets.
**Client:** That's a little more than I had planned on paying, but I guess I could look at it. What's the address?
**Agent:** 224 Williams Avenue, Harbor Square.
**Client:** 224 Williams Avenue. Got it.
**Narrator:** Now look at questions 7 to 10. As the talk continues, answer questions 7 to 10.
**Client:** What else is included?
**Agent:** Let's see. It has a washer and dryer, refrigerator and stove, a bed, dressers and shelves, and access to a swimming pool, game room, and gym.
**Client:** Ooh, I'll definitely take a look.
**Agent:** Hi. How did you like it?
**Client:** It's great. I love the amenities, but the bed and furniture are awfully dirty. Can they replace those before I move in?
**Agent:** Sure, that shouldn't be a problem. Anything else?
**Client:** Yeah, I didn't see anywhere to park my car. Is there a parking lot in the basement?
**Agent:** Yes, there is. Would you like to rent a space?
**Client:** No, I'd like that to be included in the rent.
**Agent:** Oh, well, I'll see what I can do, but I can't guarantee that. Do you want to take it anyhow?
**Client:** If those two issues were solved, I would love to take it.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part one. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to part two. You will hear a lecturer discussing the possibility of creating nuclear fusion. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
**Lecturer:** We look at the sun, a huge ball streaming out essentially limitless energy into space. And we think about how we need that energy here on Earth. Our oil reserves are running out. Coal burning causes much pollution and nuclear energy has many dangers. But where does the sun itself get its energy? The answer is that the sun makes it using fusion or more specifically in a hydrogen fusion process. There is no pollution, no radioactivity, no waste products and we have plenty of hydrogen. So hydrogen fusion seems the perfect answer to our energy needs and scientists have long attempted to achieve it here on Earth. So what happens during this process? The first step is to make two light atomic particles approach. In the case of our sun, these are hydrogen particles, the lightest and also the easiest to deal with. However, the problem is that the nuclei of atoms have electric fields and fusion between these particles is opposed by their similar electric charge. They most naturally repel each other and the nuclei of all elements are exactly the same in this respect. Thus, in order to overcome this repulsion and force them together, in the second step, the particles are heated. The trouble is you need a lot of heat, incredible temperatures of the sort only seen on the surface of the sun. This is many millions of degrees, far higher than the melting point of any known material. Still, the concept is simple. The hot wildly moving particles which are now called plasma will crash into each other resulting in the third step the fusion into helium which releases energy and begins a self sustained process.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.
**Lecturer:** So we know how fusion works. Thus the big question is can we create it here on earth? We actually have the technology to superheat hydrogen into plasma but no container on earth can deal with those temperatures. Thus we need to confine this superheated material so that it doesn't touch anything. For that we need a special reactor. And most research has focused on an apparatus known as a tokamak system. That's T-O-K-A-M-A-K. An acronym from some Russian words meaning toroidal chamber with magnetic field. It's an apt name since a very powerful magnetic field is used to confine and suspend the super hot plasma in the air so that it doesn't touch anything. This is possible only because this plasma has an electric charge which interacts with the magnetic field. Of course, the walls of the fusion vessel will still get hot, very hot. And to avoid being melted, they must be cooled with a cryogenic system to intensely low temperatures. But now we are faced with the second problem. If we are to draw power from this system, the reaction must be continuous and controllable. However, when fusion begins, the plasma becomes unstable. And at these temperatures, that is a very serious situation. If we lose control, a disaster could result. Despite the obstacles, in 2010, a European device managed some success, but needed far more power to generate the fusion reaction than that produced from the fusion itself. Obviously, then, it was not useful as a power source. More to the point, this system could only sustain a fusion reaction for a fraction of a second. Yet to self-sustain, the fusion needs to run for at least 10 seconds. And the future looks bleak. Unfortunately, most scientists predict that many decades will have to pass before fusion power can become a practical reality.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part two. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to section three. A discussion between two students and their tutor. First you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.
**Tutor:** Okay guys, first off, well done. That was a very good presentation yesterday. Now, I'm just going to ask you questions about it before I give you my feedback. That okay?
**Nile:** Sure.
**Sheena:** Of course.
**Tutor:** Right. Well, in that case, tell me, Nile, why did you choose to talk about Rafael Nadal?
**Nile:** To tell you the truth, I didn't. I think I better let Sheena handle this one. Sheena.
**Sheena:** Yes. It was my decision to pick Nadal. Now, that might be a strange choice for a presentation entitled, "Someone who inspired me to study psychology." But...
**Tutor:** Yes, but I was going to say it does seem rather an odd choice. Was it simply down to the fact that he's a sporting hero of yours and so a role model? You talk about him a lot, Sheena, so this much is clear.
**Sheena:** It's true. Nadal is someone I look up to, but my reasons for choosing him were totally professional. You see, I doubt perhaps in the history of tennis that there was ever a better match player than him. And that got me thinking, what is the secret to his success? How does he control his nerves so splendidly?
**Nile:** The more we started to look into his background, the more I realized Sheena was right. Nadal was a perfect candidate for this study. He is on so many levels a very well-balanced character and it was fascinating to gain an insight into the mind of this great champion over the last few weeks. I'll admit that I was at first somewhat unsure about whether or not I should back Sheena on this one, but it didn't take long for our research to put us at ease.
**Tutor:** So while most of the students were researching Freud and other visionaries in the field of psychology and psychoanalysis, you were looking into a present-day sports star. Does that not strike you as a little odd?
**Sheena:** Of course, we knew it was a risk. After all, there was a danger that no one, least of all you, would take us seriously when we stood up on stage and started our presentation. That said, I think it is in the spirit of psychology to be inquisitive and adventurous and not just stick to the conventional. Otherwise, how would the field have come so far as it has done already?
**Tutor:** Well, I must say your risk certainly paid off. Yours was without a shadow of a doubt the most interesting and original presentation I saw. And judging by the reactions of the other students, I would have to say that everyone else was equally impressed.
**Sheena:** Thank you. I'm so glad you think so.
**Nile:** Yes.
**Tutor:** But notwithstanding your excellent presentation content, we must remember that the marks for this project are awarded based on a number of criteria and we'll examine those in a few minutes. But first, another question. Where did you find your sources?
**Nile:** Well, and I don't quite know how we managed it, but we were able to secure a face-to-face interview with Nadal while he was over here for the Wimbledon Tennis Championship. So, we weren't reliant on newspaper articles and interviews or any other forms of secondary sources.
**Sheena:** We did however find the library sports archive an invaluable backup aid to help us fill in the gaps and piece together our interpretation of what makes Nadal such a mentally strong champion.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.
**Tutor:** Okay. Well, as I said, congratulations again for your excellent work. Now, it's time for my feedback. The first area where marks were rewarded is in your use of equipment. I felt that had you not been a little too reliant on the overhead projector and had you, for example, use the interactive whiteboard and audio equipment a little more effectively, you would have received top marks in this section. As things stand though, your use of equipment was still very satisfactory. It's just a shame as it was an opportunity missed to score full points.
**Tutor:** The next area I was asked to assess is content. As you might have guessed, I simply can't fault you on that. Highly original work. So, well done.
**Tutor:** As for your timing, I felt that the two of you were a little too overrehearsed. So, the presentation felt at times a little robotic. That said, again, it was very satisfactory and you would get full points for effort. Sadly though, there is such a thing as trying too hard and that cost you top marks here, I'm afraid.
**Nile:** Oh, I see.
**Tutor:** Right. What was particularly impressive, though, was the thick handout you'd prepared for everyone. I took it home to read through it afterwards, and it was very well written. But not alone that it also enhanced my experience of the presentation itself on the day as I was able to refer to the handout for further information on what was being discussed and to answer any questions I had. Very nice.
**Tutor:** As for your level of interaction, well, you had so much that you were intent on packing into your 20-minute time slot that sadly you run out of time at the end, which left no room whatsoever for interaction and no one had the chance to ask you any questions. You've probably guessed, therefore, that you did worse than average in this department. And unfortunately, your score will have to reflect this.
**Sheena:** Oh my goodness. Everything sounded so positive at the start.
**Nile:** That is a big disappointment. We worked so hard.
**Tutor:** Now, now don't be so quick to get deflated. Remember, your presentation skills only count for 15% of the project grade. Your score in this assessment, even if it were terrible, would still not be enough to prevent you from getting top marks overall. It's very hard to score well in the presentation assessment anyway. So, believe me, you both did reasonably well.
**Nile:** Thank you. I wish I felt like that.
**Sheena:** Yes, your feedback was very constructive. We're just a little disappointed with ourselves.
**Tutor:** Why?
**Narrator:** That's the end of section three. You have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to section four. You are going to hear a conversation between two students. They are talking about English bars. As you listen, complete the notes below. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
**Student:** Kevin, could you tell me something about the bars? I have never been to a bar. You see, Steve, my classmate, has invited me to go to a bar tonight.
**Kevin:** I see. You know the word bar means a room in a pub. We say the bar when we mean the part of that room where drinks are kept. Soon after you go into the pub, you'll realize that nobody comes to the tables to take orders or money. Instead, customers go to the bar to buy their drinks.
**Student:** I see. People will go to the bar directly to get their drinks and don't wait for someone to come to take their orders.
**Kevin:** That's right. People don't queue at the bar, but they do wait till it's their turn.
**Student:** Oh, how do I pay? I mean, do I pay directly after I get the drink, or do I have to wait till I'm ready to leave like I do in a restaurant?
**Kevin:** It's not the custom to pay for all your drinks when you're ready to leave. Instead, you pay at the bar each time you get drinks. It helps if you're ready to pay as soon as you're served. And you'll notice that many people wait with their money in their hands.
**Student:** I see. Do I have to give a tip?
**Kevin:** No, it's not the custom to give a tip. It's very common for friends to buy their drinks together in rounds. This means that each person takes a turn to buy drinks for everybody in the group. It's faster and easier both for you and for the person serving. If drinks are bought in this way, naturally, you don't have to have a drink in each round if you don't want one.
**Student:** That's interesting.
**Kevin:** When you're looking for somewhere to sit, remember that people have to leave their seats to get drinks, etc. So, an empty seat may not in fact be available to you. If you're not sure whether a seat is free, ask someone sitting near it. When it's time for another drink, people usually take their glasses back to the bar to be filled again. If you're leaving, the friendly thing to do is to take your glasses back to the bar, thank the person who's been serving you, and say goodbye or good night.
**Student:** Thank you, Kevin. This helps me a lot. By the way, what kind of drinks are available in pubs?
**Kevin:** Well, you can get both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Beside alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, there is cider which is made from apples, usually sold in bottles, port, a type of thick sweet wine from Portugal, sherry, which is a type of wine from Spain, and spirits. These are a kind of strong alcoholic drinks such as whiskey and brandy.
**Student:** What about non-alcoholic? I don't drink alcohol.
**Kevin:** Well, they offer all kinds of fruit juices such as orange and tomato. These drinks are usually sold in small bottles and soft drinks we often call sweet drinks like Coke and Fanta. They are normally sold in small bottles or cans and lemonade which is a clear and sweet drink made with carbonated water. They also serve cordial.
**Student:** What's cordial?
**Kevin:** Cordials are strong and sweet drinks tasting of fruit such as lime cordial, black currant cordial. They are often added to other drinks or drunk with water.
**Student:** I don't like sweet drinks. Are there any other non-alcoholic drinks?
**Kevin:** Yes, mineral water, but it's not available in all pubs.
**Student:** Kevin, one more question. What is VAT? I saw this on most goods in Britain.
**Kevin:** Well, VAT stands for value added tax. The price shown on most goods in Britain includes a tax of 15%. If you use the retail export scheme, this tax can be returned to you if you take the goods with you when you leave Britain. You may have to spend a certain sum of money before you qualify for the scheme, and you'll have to show your passport. Ask in the shop if they operate the retail export scheme. If they do, the shop assistant will explain how you can get the tax back and fill in a form with you. VAT is also charged on hotel, restaurant bills, theater, cinema tickets, and car hire.
**Student:** Are these refundable?
**Kevin:** No, it's not refundable in these cases.
**Student:** Thank you very much. I really learned a lot.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part four. You now have half a minute to check your answers.