Listening Parts 1–4: tactics that actually move your score

Part 1 — Photographs (6 questions)

• Scan the photo before the audio: note people, actions, objects, and location.
• Listen for the verb tense. Many wrong options describe a plausible scene but the wrong action ('is being repaired' vs 'is being used').
• Beware similar-sounding traps: 'copy / coffee', 'walk / work'. The test exploits these on purpose.
• Passive voice with present continuous ('is being...') usually requires a person actively doing the action in the photo. If no one is doing it, the option is likely wrong.

Part 2 — Question–Response (25 questions)

• Lock onto the first word: When, Where, Who, Why, How, or a yes/no auxiliary. It tells you the answer type before you hear the options.
• Wh- questions almost never take a 'Yes/No' answer — eliminate those immediately.
• Watch for indirect answers. 'When does the meeting start?' → 'Didn't you get the email?' is correct and common at higher levels.
• Reject options that repeat or echo a word from the question — that repetition is usually a trap.

Part 3 — Conversations (39 questions)

• Read the three questions before the audio plays. They tell you what to listen for.
• The three questions follow the order of the conversation, so answer in sequence as you hear each detail.
• Listen for the gist first (who, where, what about), then the specific detail in question 2, then any 'what will the speaker do next' inference in question 3.
• New conversations include a graphic in some questions — match what you hear to the table/chart, not just the words.

Part 4 — Short Talks (30 questions)

• Identify the format fast: voicemail, announcement, advertisement, or tour. The format predicts the questions.
• The purpose is usually stated in the first sentence; the action item or contact detail is usually near the end.
• Numbers, dates, and times are favorite question targets — flag them as you hear them.

The 8-second habit

While the directions for each part are read aloud, you already know them — use that time to preview questions ahead. Never listen to the directions; read forward instead. This single habit is worth several points across the section.