100 High-Frequency IELTS Listening Paraphrase Pairs (Free PDF)
Match what you hear to what the question says. Train paraphrase, not word-spotting. Free printable PDF with DailyEnglishPro.com branding.
How to use this list
IELTS Listening rarely repeats the question wording in the audio. These 100 paraphrase pairs train you to match meaning, not identical words.
Study one theme group, then listen for the left column while your eye stays on the right-column idea in the question.
- Cover the right column and predict possible paraphrases
- Drill one section theme before a Listening practice set
- Log every miss as hear → question wording in your error notebook
- Retest under full timing with a mock test
Booking, money and numbers
Section 1 style: forms, bookings, prices and contact details. Questions often rephrase numbers and payment language.
| You hear / read | Question may say |
|---|---|
| a fortnight | two weeks |
| half past nine | 9.30 / 9:30 |
| quarter to eight | 7.45 / 7:45 |
| noon | 12.00 / midday |
| midnight | 00.00 / 12 at night |
| just under fifty pounds | less than £50 |
| roughly twenty dollars | about $20 |
| a couple of | two |
| a dozen | twelve |
| double room | room for two people |
| en suite | private bathroom |
| self-catering | cook your own meals |
| all-inclusive | meals included |
| pay in advance | pre-pay / pay beforehand |
| settle the bill | pay (the account) |
| deposit | down payment / advance payment |
| refundable | money can be returned |
| non-refundable | no money back |
| booked solid | fully booked / no vacancies |
| put you on the waiting list | add to a list if a place frees up |
Education and campus life
Sections 2-3: courses, libraries, tutorials and assessment. Expect synonyms for study, deadlines and facilities.
| You hear / read | Question may say |
|---|---|
| enrol / enroll | register / sign up |
| module | course unit / component |
| tutorial | small-group teaching session |
| lecture theatre | large classroom / auditorium |
| handout | printed notes / worksheet |
| deadline | due date / submission date |
| extension | extra time to hand in work |
| plagiarism | copying without credit |
| peer review | feedback from classmates |
| dissertation | long research paper / thesis |
| postgraduate | after a first degree |
| undergraduate | studying for a first degree |
| mature student | older / adult learner |
| open day | visit day for applicants |
| halls of residence | student accommodation on campus |
| compulsory | required / mandatory |
| optional | not required / elective |
| assessment | how you are marked / tested |
| continuous assessment | marks from coursework over time |
| resit / retake | take the exam again |
Work, careers and training
Jobs, shifts, interviews and workplace talks. Questions paraphrase duties, hours and hiring language.
| You hear / read | Question may say |
|---|---|
| vacancy | job opening / available post |
| CV / resume | job application document |
| references | people who recommend you |
| shortlisted | selected for interview |
| probation period | trial period at the start |
| flexitime | flexible working hours |
| shift work | work in rotating time blocks |
| overtime | extra hours beyond normal |
| on call | available if needed outside hours |
| freelance | self-employed / contract work |
| internship | short work placement / training role |
| apprenticeship | learn a trade while working |
| redundancy | job loss because the role ends |
| laid off | made unemployed (company decision) |
| promotion | move to a higher position |
| pay rise / raise | increase in salary |
| benefits package | extras besides salary |
| health and safety | workplace risk rules |
| deadline-driven | tight time pressure at work |
| team player | works well with others |
Travel, transport and tourism
Airports, hotels, tours and directions. Map and form questions often swap everyday travel phrases.
| You hear / read | Question may say |
|---|---|
| departure lounge | waiting area before boarding |
| boarding pass | ticket to get on the plane |
| check-in desk | place to register luggage / get pass |
| baggage reclaim | where you collect luggage |
| hand luggage | cabin bag / carry-on |
| layover / stopover | break between flights |
| connecting flight | next flight in a journey |
| delayed | running late |
| cancelled | will not operate |
| platform | where the train stops |
| carriage / car | section of the train |
| return ticket | ticket for going and coming back |
| single ticket | one-way ticket |
| off-peak | cheaper / quieter travel time |
| rush hour | busiest travel period |
| scenic route | longer route with views |
| itinerary | travel plan / schedule |
| excursion | short trip / outing |
| guided tour | tour with a leader |
| souvenir | gift to remember a place |
Health, lifestyle and environment
Doctors, sports centres, recycling talks and campus health. Academic Section 4 often paraphrases cause and effect.
| You hear / read | Question may say |
|---|---|
| GP / family doctor | general practitioner |
| prescription | written order for medicine |
| over-the-counter | medicine sold without a prescription |
| appointment | booked time to see someone |
| symptoms | signs of illness |
| side effects | unwanted effects of treatment |
| physio / physiotherapy | physical therapy |
| well-being / wellbeing | general health and happiness |
| sedentary lifestyle | sitting a lot / little exercise |
| balanced diet | healthy mix of foods |
| recycle | process used materials again |
| landfill | site for burying waste |
| emissions | gases released into the air |
| renewable energy | power from wind, sun, etc. |
| conservation | protecting nature / resources |
| biodiversity | variety of living species |
| drought | long period with little rain |
| flooding | overflow of water onto land |
| urban sprawl | cities spreading outwards |
| public transport | buses, trains, etc. for everyone |
Practise next
Frequently asked questions
Are paraphrase pairs only for Section 1?+
No. Booking language is common early, but education, work and environment pairs appear across sections.
Should I memorise both columns word for word?+
Memorise the relationship. In the test you will hear new surface forms. Meaning matching matters more than exact recall.
How does this differ from trap-word lists?+
Paraphrase pairs help you accept the correct match. Trap lists warn you about distractors and similar sounds. Use both.
Where do I get the PDF?+
Use Download free PDF above the practice CTA. Pages include DailyEnglishPro.com and links to mocks and Pro.