Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 2

• 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.

Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 2 follows the official Cambridge structure, but the topic mix in this paper makes it a useful diagnostic of your real listening range. Section 1 features a rental accommodation enquiry; Section 2 moves into a heritage-site introduction for visitors; Section 3 shifts into students discussing an upcoming assignment; and Section 4 closes with an academic lecture on a single specialist topic.

Section 1 uses note completion; Section 2 uses multiple choice plus completion; Section 3 uses multiple choice plus flow-chart completion; Section 4 uses note completion. Section 4's note completion runs at lecture pace with no second hearing, so highlight every signpost word — first, however, in contrast, finally — and write rough answers even when you are not sure.

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.