Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Listening Test 1

• 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 18 Academic Listening Test 1 runs the standard four-section format and, like the rest of the Cambridge 18 pack, rewards candidates who manage attention rather than speed. Section 1 features a rental accommodation enquiry; Section 2 moves into a briefing for new volunteers; Section 3 shifts into an academic discussion between two or more students; and Section 4 closes with a wildlife lecture on elephants.

Section 1 uses note completion; Section 2 uses multiple choice, multi-answer multiple choice and completion; Section 3 uses multiple choice plus multi-answer multiple choice; 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.

Spend the preview seconds underlining the keyword in each gap and pencilling a word-class hint above it. Resist over-correcting in real time — if you miss an answer, leave it and rejoin at the next signpost. Use the ten-minute transfer window to clean up capitalisation, plurals and word limits. For band 7, accuracy on the last ten questions usually decides the score.

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.