AcademIELTS Original — Listening Test 3

• Each audio plays once. You CANNOT pause or rewind during the exam.
• Take notes on the question section as you listen.
• After audio ends, you have 10 minutes to review and finalize answers.

AcademIELTS Original — Listening Test 3 is a brand-new paper modelled on the official format, useful for candidates who have already worked through the Cambridge series and want unseen material. Section 1 features a rental accommodation enquiry; Section 2 moves into a heritage-site introduction for visitors; Section 3 shifts into a discussion between students about a coursework project; and Section 4 closes with an urban-studies lecture on cities.

Section 1 uses note completion; Section 2 uses multiple choice plus map labelling; Section 3 uses multiple choice plus matching; Section 4 uses note completion. Section 2's map labelling rewards candidates who pre-read every spatial preposition — opposite, beyond, between, just past — and pin a finger on the starting reference point before the recording starts.

Use the preview to predict not just word class but also the likely topic vocabulary in each gap's sentence. When the audio runs ahead of you, abandon the lost item and pivot to the next gap immediately. Spend the last ten minutes transferring with a fresh pair of eyes, treating each answer as if it were new. A controlled band 7 comes from rhythm, not from speed.

New to this skill? Read the Listening question types guide for tactics, scoring rules, and frequency analysis across Cambridge 10–20. Or browse all Listening practice tests.

Looking for written strategy? See the IELTS Blog for in-depth posts.