IELTS Listening Practice Test | 2026-02-01

**Narrator:** Now turn to section one. Section one. You will hear a male student talking to a union representative about placing an advertisement to sell a laptop. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5. Now the test will begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.
**Debbie:** Hi, I'm Debbie. How can I help?
**David:** Hi, my name's David. I'm just looking to place an advertisement on the main union notice board to sell a laptop and a few accessories if that's possible.
**Debbie:** Sure, that's not a problem. I take it you are a member of the students union.
**David:** Yes, I am.
**Debbie:** Right, then I'll just get a form up and as there is no one around and it looks as if it's going to be quiet for a while, I'll just type the details straight into the computer for you.
**David:** Thanks very much.
**Debbie:** No problem. Shall we just title it laptop for sale?
**David:** Yeah. Okay.
**Debbie:** Can you describe it generally?
**David:** Oh, well, it's in very good condition. In fact, it's hardly been used.
**Debbie:** Why are you selling it, if I may ask?
**David:** Well, I've got another one which is much lighter and I don't really need to.
**Debbie:** I see. What weight is the one you're selling?
**David:** It's uh 3.5 kg.
**Debbie:** That is heavy these days. Can you give more details about the one you want to sell?
**David:** Right. Uh, well, it's an Algro and it's got all the latest programs.
**Debbie:** Okay. What about the memory?
**David:** The memory is only 0.5 GB.
**Debbie:** And what about the screen size and the other features?
**David:** Oh, well, uh, the the screen is, let's see, it's, uh, 37.5 cm with a a standard size keyboard and a touchpad, but I've got a cordless mouse that I can put in with it if necessary. Well, some people don't like using a touchpad.
**Debbie:** What about ports or holes for attaching things to the laptop?
**David:** It's got two ports.
**Debbie:** More modern laptops have more than two ports for all the extra attachments.
**David:** They do. Uh let's see uh what else is important. Uh oh yeah the uh the battery lasts for 2 and 1/2 hours which is okay but not enough for long train journeys. Uh but one thing is that it's not wireless.
**Debbie:** Right. Okay. Not wireless.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10. Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.
**Debbie:** Anything else I can put on the advertisement?
**David:** Well, there's a webcam built at the top of the screen, and uh I can throw in a printer, a scanner, and headphones, which I I got with it in a special deal. It also comes with its own case for carrying it around. Actually, the case is quite smart. I'm hoping these things will help it sell.
**Debbie:** They should do, right, I think I've got all that. How much do you want for it?
**David:** That I'm not sure about. Uh, it's worth about £900 to £1,000 new.
**Debbie:** Yeah, but you won't get that much if it's used. And even if it's in good condition.
**David:** What about £500?
**Debbie:** I doubt if you'd get as much as that. More like £200 or £300. If you look at the notice board, there is one on there which is comparable to yours. And it's not more than about £250. I think
**David:** as little as that,
**Debbie:** I'm afraid so. Shall we say £300?
**David:** Okay, put that.
**Debbie:** Can I take some contact details for the advert?
**David:** The name's David Bristo.
**Debbie:** B R I S T O W.
**David:** Yes, that's it. And uh a mobile or email?
**Debbie:** Both if you want. It's D I B_7791 at hotmail.com.
**David:** Okay. And the mobile?
**Debbie:** That's 09875423387.
**David:** That's it. If you send the picture, I'll add it and print it out and stick it up for you.
**Debbie:** Okay. I can get that to you today. Right, I'll type in here advert placed the 22nd of October. Fine and good luck with the sale.
**David:** Thanks.
**Narrator:** That is the end of section one. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turns to part two. Part two, you will hear a conversation between an IELTS candidate and an IELTS administrator. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
**Candidate:** Good afternoon. I'm applying for a master's program at the University of Exat in the UK. I'm planning to register for the IELTS exam at your center next month. I have some questions I'd like to ask you before I register if that's okay.
**Administrator:** Certainly. Would you be taking the academic module?
**Candidate:** I think so, but I'll have to contact the university just to make sure.
**Administrator:** You'll probably need the academic because most universities don't accept the general training. And anyway, the procedures to register for the exam are the same for both the general and the academic modules.
**Candidate:** Good. My first question is whether I sit all parts of the exam on the same day. I don't live here, you see, and for me it would be more convenient to do all the papers on the same day.
**Administrator:** H unfortunately the speaking part is scheduled for Thursdays and reading, writing and listening tests take place on Saturdays. We can't change the days, I'm afraid.
**Candidate:** That's a pity. Well, never mind. What sort of documents do I need to bring in order to register?
**Administrator:** You'll have to fill in the IELTS application form and bring an ID, a copy of your ID and two passports size photos on a white background.
**Candidate:** Will any ID do?
**Administrator:** We only accept original passports and national IDs.
**Candidate:** That's good to know. Did you say that reading, writing, and listening are scheduled for Saturday?
**Administrator:** That's right. Will I get a break in between the papers?
**Candidate:** I'm afraid there aren't any breaks between the papers. Each paper takes an hour to complete. So, it's three hours straight through. You'll first do listening and then reading followed by the writing test. This is a standard requirement from Cambridge.
**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.
**Candidate:** Okay. And how soon after the test can I pick up my results?
**Administrator:** It takes 13 calendar days for the results to be processed.
**Candidate:** Can you let me know how much it is and the form of payment?
**Administrator:** The examination fee is $200. You can pay by credit or debit card. We also accept checks. We only accept cash as a form of payment in exceptional circumstances.
**Candidate:** And one last question, can I mail you the application documents?
**Administrator:** Certainly. You can send all the documents by registered mail to our address 47 Clover Place, New Rochelle, New York.
**Candidate:** Could you spell New Relle for me, please?
**Administrator:** Certainly. N E W R O C H E L L E.
**Candidate:** Could I have the zip code as well?
**Administrator:** Sure. Our zip code is 10806.
**Candidate:** Thanks. You can also email us at i inquiry at examsmail.com or phone us at 3259082.
**Administrator:** I think that's all. Thank you very much for all the information. Bye.
**Candidate:** You're welcome. Goodbye.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part two. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turns to part three. Part three. I have with me today Matthew East, a registered osteopath and a supporter of alternative techniques in healthcare. Matthew, can you tell us more about osteopathy? First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.
Over the past 50 years, there have been some radical changes in medicine as it is known in the West. This is largely the result of vast improvements in technology, but also in the rising importance of alternative treatments. I have with me today Matthew East, a registered osteopath and a supporter of alternative techniques in healthcare. Matthew, can you tell us more about osteopathy?
**Matthew:** Well, perhaps the first thing I should say is that the term alternative is actually a little misleading as I am referring to approaches and attitudes to health that were in common use long before western medicine was established. I prefer the term natural. Anyway, I'll begin by telling you a little about osteopathy. Basically, osteopathy is the manipulation of muscles in order to alleviate stresses and tensions that lead to pain. Now, unlike western medicine, osteopathy considers the whole body, not just the affected area. And this is a very important principle of natural remedies. The whole body must be considered before a course of treatment can be decided upon. You see the aim of therapies like osteopathy is not only to repair the body but also to get the body treating itself. And this does not come from treating the symptoms. To give an example, I recently treated a 2-month-old baby who was screaming all day and was even worse at night. The couple had taken the baby to their doctor, but the only advice they were given was that the baby would grow out of it. However, the real problem stemmed from a difficult birth which put pressure on the baby's neck. After 10 minutes of gentle manipulation, the pressure was released and within 20 minutes, the baby was quiet and calm for the first time. This was achieved without drugs or operations. Avoiding such invasive methods of treatment highlights another of the differences between western medicine and a more natural approach. You see, western medicine often uses surgery in order to find a solution to problems that could have been addressed with simple remedies. A medical approach that looks closely at how essential an operation is before it is performed would offer patients a considerably less stressful method of treatment, not to mention the financial savings. Natural remedies actually amount to about 10% of the cost of a western course of treatment.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.
**Matthew:** I'd like to mention the subject of surgery again a little later, but I would like to say at this point that there are those that claim that the benefits of osteopathy and herbal therapies are largely psychological, that they have not undergone the clinical trials that pharmaceuticals have. To answer that, you only need to look at the example I gave earlier of a baby that stopped crying less than an hour after treatment, but was obviously far too young to react because of purely psychological factors. Another example can be seen in the successful use of acupuncture in the treatment of animals. In response to criticism regarding clinical trials, it is worth noting that the power of pharmaceutical companies is such that although some drugs fail the status required of them, they are sometimes still prescribed by doctors. Moving on to another point, it should be stressed that natural remedies in addition to having no side effects can also be applied to any patient. Now I'm not suggesting that the same treatments are used indiscriminately. Although natural remedies can be used with any age group. The treatment selected is very specific to a person. By this I mean that not only the general health of the patient needs to be considered but also their habits, diet and lifestyle in order to build a complete picture. However, I am not suggesting that we should reject western medicine entirely. In fact, there have been occasions when I have referred patients to their doctor as I felt that in those cases, it was the most suitable course of action. There are many situations in which it is by far the best option. Take emergency surgery for example. Obviously, more natural remedies do not provide the speed required in such cases. The best solution would therefore be an open-minded combination of the two forms.
**Interviewer:** Well, thank you very much, Matthew. That was a very interesting insight into alternative, sorry, natural treatments. Next week, we'll be inviting Dr. Moore, that's M O R E, onto the program to argue his case as a doctor. Until next week, then. Goodbye.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part three. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now you're on to part four, part four. I've asked you here just to remind you about this Friday's field trip. First, you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
**Lecturer:** Okay. I'd like to keep this meeting as brief as possible as I'm sure we all have things to do. I've asked you here just to remind you about this Friday's field trip. This is the first of many field trips you'll be going on. So there are a few rules I'd like to make clear now. Most importantly, I want you all to remember that simply because you are leaving the college does not mean that you are not studying. This is an essential part of your course and should be treated as such. There will be two assignments for you to complete whilst you are there and some extension work you will be expected to do over the weekend. So I suggest you all pay attention on the day. Moving on. Remember that we are going to a salt marsh and must dress appropriately. High yield shoes and t-shirts are not what I consider appropriate. You need good footwear, preferably boots, and you should bring a waterproof jacket as the weather is unpredictable. It would also be a good idea to bring a change of clothes. There is a chance you will get wet, and a 3-hour return journey in damp clothes is nobody's idea of fun. We'll be on the marsh from about 10:00 to about 4:00, so you'll be given a light lunch. However, if you want to bring any snacks with you, then please feel free to do so. Although, we will be stopping for dinner on the way home. Now, this is the fourth time the college has been to Park Drive, Salt Marsh, and so far we have never lost a student. However, remember that there are 28 people going and if you are late, you'll be keeping myself and your colleagues waiting and at that time in the morning, you will not find me very forgiving. Please try to arrive a few minutes before 7. If you're not here on the hour, you risk being left behind. For those of you who are being collected in the evening, you can expect to be back here between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. But do warn whoever may be coming for you that the traffic is unpredictable and it may well be later. Before you go, I'll hand out your assignment papers and briefly explain what you have to do. Now, on the first page, all you are required to do is identify the floor and fauna on the page and find an example in the salt marsh. As I told you on Monday, you'll need a camera for this. I recommend one of those disposable cameras rather than something more valuable as the marsh can get very dirty. Now, on page two, you'll be looking more at the bird life on the marsh. You should be able to see what you have to do for this assignment, but there will be plenty of time on the way there to ask any other questions. Well, we'll stop there and I'll see you all on Friday morning. Oh, before you go, just a word of caution. The plants are there to be seen and photographed only. Remember that this is a protected site and we will have to get permission for this trip. If there are any problems, we may not be allowed to go again and you'll be spoiling the opportunity for other students. Okay? If you have any questions, come and see me later today or tomorrow.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part four. You now have half a minute to check your answers.