2026 · Listening
2026 IELTS Listening Questions And Answer
2026 IELTS Listening practice sets based on commonly reported contexts, with free questions, answers, and transcripts.
These 2026 IELTS Listening practice themes are collected from topics discussed by candidates and examiners worldwide, then rewritten as original simulations.
They are not predictions, leaked papers, or a guarantee of what will appear in any test.
Practise under timed conditions, review weak areas, and repeat each task with clearer language and more accurate detail.
We update these lists weekly as common themes change across test regions.
The question lists are free. Upgrade to Pro for guided practice and paid sample answers.
Section 1 - Apartment viewing
Complete the viewing notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Apartment location: ______ Street
Answer: King
2. Monthly rent: £______
Answer: 950
3. Largest room faces the ______
Answer: garden
4. Heating type: ______
Answer: electric
5. Nearest bus stop is beside the ______
Answer: pharmacy
6. Available from: 3 ______
Answer: October
7. Tenant must pay a ______ deposit
Answer: one-month
Recording transcript
Agent: The apartment is at 42 King Street, and the monthly rent is £950.
Agent: The largest room faces the garden, while the two bedrooms face the street. All rooms use electric heating.
Agent: The nearest bus stop is beside the pharmacy, less than five minutes away.
Agent: The property is available from 3 October, and the owner requires a one-month deposit.
Section 1 - Driving lesson booking
Complete the booking form. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Learner's full name: Sara ______
Answer: Nguyen
2. Phone number ends in: ______
Answer: 6391
3. Preferred car: ______ transmission
Answer: automatic
4. First lesson date: 9 ______
Answer: March
5. Lesson length: ______ minutes
Answer: 90
6. Pick-up point: ______ Station
Answer: Central
7. Package price: £______
Answer: 240
8. Pay by: bank ______
Answer: transfer
Recording transcript
Instructor: Your name is Sara Nguyen, and the mobile number ends in 6391. Is that right? Learner: Yes.
Learner: I would like an automatic transmission car for the first few lessons.
Instructor: I can start you on 9 March for a 90-minute lesson, and I will pick you up at Central Station.
Instructor: The six-lesson package costs £240 if you pay by bank transfer before the first class.
Section 1 - Gym membership enquiry
Complete the enquiry notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Caller wants: off-peak ______
Answer: membership
2. Off-peak hours end at: ______ p.m.
Answer: 4
3. Monthly cost: £______
Answer: 32
4. Joining fee waived until: ______
Answer: Friday
5. Free class: beginner ______
Answer: yoga
6. Locker deposit: £______
Answer: 10
7. Bring photo ______ to register
Answer: ID
Recording transcript
Advisor: You asked about off-peak membership. Those hours end at 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Advisor: The monthly cost is £32, and we are waiving the joining fee until Friday.
Caller: Do you have a free starter class? Advisor: Yes, beginner yoga on Saturday mornings.
Advisor: There is a £10 locker deposit, refundable when you return the key.
Advisor: Please bring photo ID when you register at reception.
Section 1 - Library membership form
Complete the membership notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Applicant's surname: ______
Answer: Morton
2. Street: 18 ______ Road
Answer: Willow
3. Membership required for: ______ months
Answer: six
4. Main interest: local ______
Answer: history
5. Fee paid: £______
Answer: 12
6. Membership card ready on: ______
Answer: Friday
Recording transcript
Librarian: Welcome. Could I take your surname? Applicant: It is Morton, M-O-R-T-O-N.
Applicant: My address is 18 Willow Road. I only need membership for six months because I am moving in February.
Librarian: What material are you mainly looking for? Applicant: Books on local history.
Librarian: The short membership costs £12. Applicant: I will pay that by card.
Librarian: Your membership card will be ready to collect on Friday.
Section 1 - Lost luggage claim
Complete the claim form. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Flight number: AZ ______
Answer: 418
2. Passenger surname: ______
Answer: Brooks
3. Bag colour: dark ______
Answer: green
4. Distinctive feature: a red ______
Answer: ribbon
5. Contents include a digital ______
Answer: camera
6. Contact hotel: The ______ Inn
Answer: Harbour
7. Reference code: ______
Answer: LG552
Recording transcript
Clerk: You arrived on flight AZ 418. Passenger: That is correct. My surname is Brooks.
Passenger: The missing bag is dark green with a red ribbon tied to the handle.
Passenger: Inside there is clothing and a digital camera in a padded case.
Clerk: Where can we reach you tonight? Passenger: At the Harbour Inn near the airport.
Clerk: Your claim reference is LG552. Keep that number for all follow-up calls.
Section 2 - City festival information
Complete the visitor notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Festival opens on: ______ June
Answer: 12
2. Main stage is in ______ Park
Answer: Riverside
3. Family zone features a storytelling ______
Answer: tent
4. Food stalls accept ______ only
Answer: cards
5. Last tram leaves at: ______ p.m.
Answer: 11:40
6. Lost children should go to the ______ desk
Answer: information
7. Volunteers wear yellow ______
Answer: jackets
Recording transcript
Announcer: The city festival opens on 12 June and runs for four evenings.
Announcer: The main stage is set up in Riverside Park, while the family zone includes a storytelling tent.
Announcer: All food stalls accept cards only this year, so please do not bring large amounts of cash.
Announcer: The last tram from the park gate leaves at 11:40 p.m.
Announcer: If a child is lost, bring them to the information desk. Volunteers in yellow jackets can guide you there.
Section 2 - Library renovation update
Complete the staff announcement notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Quiet zone moves to Floor ______
Answer: 3
2. Computers unavailable for ______ weeks
Answer: two
3. Request books via the online ______
Answer: catalogue
4. Temporary desk is near the ______ entrance
Answer: side
5. Noise expected between 9 and ______ a.m.
Answer: 11
6. Cafe reopens on: 2 ______
Answer: August
Recording transcript
Manager: During renovation, the quiet zone will move to Floor 3.
Manager: Public computers will be unavailable for two weeks, so please use the online catalogue to request books in advance.
Manager: A temporary help desk is located near the side entrance.
Manager: Expect construction noise between 9 and 11 a.m. on weekdays.
Manager: The cafe is scheduled to reopen on 2 August.
Section 2 - Nature reserve visitor guide
Complete the guide notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Car park closes at: ______ p.m.
Answer: 6:30
2. Blue trail length: ______ km
Answer: 2.4
3. Bird hide overlooks the ______
Answer: lake
4. Do not feed the ______
Answer: deer
5. Visitor centre sells insect ______
Answer: repellent
6. Emergency phone is near Gate ______
Answer: C
7. Group tours start each ______
Answer: hour
Recording transcript
Ranger: The main car park closes at 6:30 p.m., so allow time to walk back from the trails.
Ranger: The blue trail is 2.4 km and ends at a bird hide overlooking the lake.
Ranger: Please do not feed the deer. Human food makes them ill and changes their behaviour.
Ranger: Insect repellent is available in the visitor centre if you forgot to bring any.
Ranger: For emergencies, use the phone near Gate C. Guided group tours leave every hour from the entrance board.
Section 2 - University campus tour
Complete the tour guide's notes. Write no more than two words for each answer.
1. Tour begins beside the ______
Answer: clock tower
2. Student services is on the ______ floor
Answer: first
3. The science library closes at ______
Answer: midnight
4. Lunch is available in the Garden ______
Answer: Cafe
5. Sports hall requires indoor ______
Answer: shoes
6. Questions can be asked in the ______ Centre
Answer: Welcome
Recording transcript
Guide: We will begin beside the clock tower, which is easy to see from the main gate.
Student services occupies the first floor of the Hall Building. Across the path, the science library stays open until midnight.
For lunch, the Garden Cafe serves hot meals. Please note that the sports hall only allows indoor shoes.
At the end of the tour, staff in the Welcome Centre can answer individual questions.
Section 2 - Workplace health and safety talk
Complete the briefing notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Fire exits must stay ______
Answer: clear
2. Alarm test day: every ______
Answer: Tuesday
3. First-aid kits are in the ______ room
Answer: print
4. Report spills within ______ minutes
Answer: 5
5. Heavy boxes need a ______ trolley
Answer: two-person
6. Safety quiz deadline: 30 ______
Answer: April
Recording transcript
Trainer: Keep all fire exits clear at all times, even during deliveries.
Trainer: We test the alarm every Tuesday at ten, so do not be surprised by the sound.
Trainer: First-aid kits are stored in the print room on each floor.
Trainer: Liquid spills must be reported within 5 minutes so cleaning staff can respond quickly.
Trainer: Never lift heavy boxes alone. Use a two-person trolley from the loading bay.
Trainer: Complete the online safety quiz before 30 April.
Section 3 - Fieldwork logistics discussion
Complete the planning notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Field site: North ______ Farm
Answer: Ridge
2. Travel by hired ______
Answer: minibus
3. Departure time: ______ a.m.
Answer: 7:45
4. Equipment list includes soil ______
Answer: kits
5. Weather risk: afternoon ______
Answer: rain
6. Backup plan: work in the ______ shed
Answer: storage
7. Return expected by: ______ p.m.
Answer: 5:15
8. Photos stored on a shared ______
Answer: drive
Recording transcript
Student A: We confirmed North Ridge Farm as the field site and booked a hired minibus.
Student B: The driver wants everyone ready by 7:45 a.m. outside the science block.
Tutor: Pack the soil kits tonight and check the labels before you leave.
Tutor: The forecast mentions afternoon rain, so if sampling becomes unsafe, move into the storage shed.
Student A: We should be back by 5:15 p.m. All photos go onto the shared drive the same evening.
Section 3 - Presentation planning tutorial
Complete the tutorial notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Presentation length: ______ minutes
Answer: 12
2. Maximum slides: ______
Answer: 8
3. Opening must include a research ______
Answer: question
4. Avoid reading from the ______
Answer: script
5. Visuals should show one key ______ each
Answer: figure
6. Rehearsal booked in Room ______
Answer: B12
7. Peer feedback form focuses on ______
Answer: clarity
Recording transcript
Tutor: Keep the presentation to 12 minutes and use no more than 8 slides.
Tutor: Begin with your research question so the audience knows the purpose immediately.
Tutor: Do not read from the script. Practise speaking from short notes instead.
Tutor: Each visual should show one key figure, not a crowded table.
Student: We reserved Room B12 for a rehearsal on Thursday.
Tutor: Ask classmates to complete the peer feedback form with a focus on clarity.
Section 3 - Research project meeting
Complete the discussion notes. Write no more than three words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Project topic: student ______ habits
Answer: sleep
2. Sample size target: ______ students
Answer: 120
3. Main method: online ______
Answer: questionnaire
4. Pilot study week: ______
Answer: next Monday
5. Tutor wants more ______ data
Answer: qualitative
6. Follow-up tool: short ______
Answer: interviews
7. Draft due: 18 ______
Answer: May
8. Software for charts: ______
Answer: Excel
Recording transcript
Tutor: Your project on student sleep habits is clear, but you need a sample of about 120 students.
Student A: We planned an online questionnaire as the main method.
Tutor: Run a pilot study next Monday with ten volunteers before the full launch.
Tutor: I also want more qualitative data, so add short interviews after the survey.
Student B: We can submit the first draft by 18 May and produce the charts in Excel.
Section 4 - Lecture on memory and learning
Complete the lecture notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Working memory holds limited ______
Answer: items
2. Chunking groups information into ______
Answer: units
3. Spaced practice beats massed ______
Answer: study
4. Sleep supports memory ______
Answer: consolidation
5. Testing yourself is a form of ______
Answer: retrieval
6. Highlighting alone is often ______
Answer: ineffective
7. Dual coding links words and ______
Answer: images
8. Recommended review gap after first study: ______ day(s)
Answer: 1
9. Second review after about one ______
Answer: week
Recording transcript
Lecturer: Working memory can hold only a limited number of items at once.
Lecturer: Chunking helps by grouping details into meaningful units.
Lecturer: Research consistently shows that spaced practice outperforms massed study the night before a test.
Lecturer: Sleep supports memory consolidation, while testing yourself strengthens retrieval routes in the brain.
Lecturer: Highlighting alone is often ineffective because it feels productive without forcing recall.
Lecturer: Dual coding, which links words and images, can improve later recognition.
Lecturer: A practical schedule is to review after 1 day and again after about one week.
Section 4 - Lecture on plastic recycling
Complete the lecture notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Global plastic waste grows each ______
Answer: year
2. Only a small ______ is recycled
Answer: percentage
3. Contamination often comes from food ______
Answer: residue
4. Sorting plants use optical ______
Answer: sensors
5. Downcycling produces lower-quality ______
Answer: products
6. Chemical recycling breaks plastic into ______
Answer: oil
7. Policy tool: deposit ______ schemes
Answer: return
8. Consumer tip: rinse bottles before ______
Answer: disposal
Recording transcript
Lecturer: Global plastic waste continues to grow each year, yet only a small percentage is successfully recycled.
Lecturer: Food residue is a major source of contamination that forces plants to reject otherwise recyclable items.
Lecturer: Modern sorting plants use optical sensors to separate polymers by type.
Lecturer: Much mechanical recycling is actually downcycling, which produces lower-quality products.
Lecturer: Chemical recycling can break plastic back into oil, though energy costs remain high.
Lecturer: Deposit return schemes raise collection rates, and consumers should rinse bottles before disposal.
Section 4 - Lecture on urban heat islands
Complete the lecture notes. Write no more than two words and/or a number for each answer.
1. Cities can be several ______ warmer than countryside
Answer: degrees
2. Dark surfaces ______ heat
Answer: absorb
3. Fewer trees reduce natural ______
Answer: cooling
4. Night temperatures stay ______
Answer: high
5. Health risk rises for older ______
Answer: residents
6. One solution: reflective ______
Answer: roofs
7. Another solution: more street ______
Answer: trees
8. Case study city: ______
Answer: Melbourne
9. Measured drop after greening: ______ °C
Answer: 1.2
Recording transcript
Lecturer: Urban heat islands form when cities become several degrees warmer than surrounding countryside.
Lecturer: Dark surfaces such as asphalt absorb heat during the day, and a shortage of trees reduces natural cooling.
Lecturer: As a result, night temperatures stay high, which increases health risks for older residents.
Lecturer: Practical responses include reflective roofs and planting more street trees.
Lecturer: In Melbourne, a neighbourhood greening project recorded a 1.2 °C drop in summer peak temperatures.
