Mastering Multiple-Choice Strategies

Multiple-choice questions can be challenging in the IELTS Listening test because the audio often mentions more than one of the options. To get the correct answer, you must listen carefully to the entire conversation or monologue, not just for the first option you hear.

Listen for All Options

The test is designed to trick you by mentioning distractors—options that sound plausible but are ultimately incorrect. The speaker may discuss several choices before settling on the right one. For example, a speaker might say:

"I was going to choose the morning class, but the afternoon one is better for my schedule."

If the options were "morning class," "afternoon class," and "evening class," simply hearing "morning class" first could lead you to the wrong answer. You must listen for the speaker's final decision.

Pay Attention to Signal Words

Signal words are crucial clues that help you identify the correct answer. These words often introduce the correct option after a distractor has been mentioned. Key signal words include:

• However

• But

• Although

• On the other hand

• Unfortunately

Example:

A question asks, "What did the student decide to join?"

• Audio: "I considered the photography club, however, the drama society meets on a better day for me."

In this case, "photography club" is a distractor. The signal word "however" indicates a shift, and "drama society" is the correct answer.

By paying close attention to these linguistic cues and waiting until the end of the thought, you can avoid common traps and select the correct option.