IELTS Listening: How to Answer Matching Questions!

20 Minute IELTS Listening Class! Learn the strategy for Matching questions and test your skills with two practice questions. Example audios and sample answers included!

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[AndrewArts]

Hello everyone, I got my general IELTS results recently and I want to tell you about my experience hoping that it will help ease your anxieties for the exam! My overall bandscore was 8, with 8.5 in listening, 8 in reading, and 7.5 both in writing as well as in speaking. Short history about my studies: I learned since I was very little, mostly on the internet by playing a lot of online games and having wonderful people correct my spelling, watching youtubers a lot, and generally browsing of the internet. Because of all my practise I have always been a natural in english class and I would usually do my homework on the fly in the classroom. For IELTS, I studied exactly 1 week (I'm quite the procrastinator), by viewing youtube materials and familiarizing myself with the test format, that has been the most helpful thing of all, plus the general tips given in these youtube videos! For example on the test there were instructions saying "maximum 2 words and/or a number". In the text there was to be extracted the fragment: "one million X", and knowing that 3 words would not mark my answer, I deduced that I should convert it to "1 million X" instead. I believe that knowing the test format, and the rules, paying attention to the instructions is already half job well done.

My best and highest recommendation would be to still your nerves and get a good night's sleep beforehand. Because you will need focus, if your mind flies you can lose points really easily. I took 6 plant-based sleeping pills that night just to ensure I can fall asleep (I have troubles in this area). Do what needs to be done to rest well before! Also, the test was easier than I expected, some practice materials on the internet are really tough and tricky in comparison, I would not get worried if you don't ace the practice tests, you might get lucky still! So do what needs to be done to rest before the exam, I was serious and focused all through. Have only 1 hour wait time for the speaking test if possible, so your mind is still focused and well rested for the task, I put mine 1 hour and 20 minutes after and I wish I put it sooner. Have a healthy and satiating breakfast! Both my meals from the night before and in the morning have been similar, avocado with eggs made in butter and some smoked salmon! Also my morning coffee with no sugar added. I chose ketogenic meals before my test for added mental clarity, and it worked beautifully. I was ZEN all day.

You will be at the test venue for 3-4 hours at least, you absolutely need a good breakfast AND a bottle of water (no cover), so you sip throughout it, especially if it's hot weather outside. It will help keep your focus I promise, so do not eat junkfood in your last 2 meals, I assure you it will help! I finished my reading and writing tasks 20 minutes early and I had time to verify my answers and have a sip of refreshing water! Bring more than 500 ml if possible.

I didn't expect to do so well in listening especially, and also in reading (in practise I had 7 score for both in the few that I did), then I didn't know what to expect in writing at all since I had no feedback but I always was a natural writer (wrote poetry and good essays in my native tongue), so that was no problem. I only read a few band 8-9 essays and letters and familiarized myself with the structure, also don't repeat the same words a lot. In speaking I practised by watching speaking tests on youtube and pausing the videos so I can answer the questions like a real test. I focused on being more concise because my mind tends to stray off the subject or talk too much! Know yourself, know your weakness and correct it! In the actual speaking test I did not use many fancy words, only what came naturally, I also had a moment of not finding my words (couldn't remember the word "mayor" for a topic about my home location, just forget about it and move on from the idea, don't linger or worry even if you make a mistake!). Also some pronunciation errors I had for sure because living on the internet is not the healthiest place to learn proper + uk pronunciation, correct what you can but don't stress too much if you don't have time to literally relearn how to say every word before the test day. Be natural, don't overthink. Have a conversation.

On the 2 minute task I'm fairly certain I only spoke for 1 minute because the subject felt a bit bland to me (talk about a movie that disappointed you recently), just make sure to cover all the points with a few phrases for each and say you are done and move on with having a natural discussion on the other questions, it should be fine. 1-2 minutes, you don't have to keep speaking if you feel you have no more words for it. I remembered a time when I rewatched lord of the rings and was with someone that didn't watch it and they didn't enjoy it as much as I thought they would. It wasn't a recent occurrence, it was years ago, but use your imagination/invent/act like this happened a month ago if the instructions say so! Be confident!

I put emotions in my writing, it was a subject I could naturally write about and I had actual opinions so you can get lucky, try to familiarize yourself with different topics, from school, work, current issues etc. And for reading and listening just do mock tests they are really great!

It's late and I have to sleep now (2 AM, told ya!), but I hope this message will help someone, I wanted to mention general body needs like sleep and food because it's my passion and nobody mentions the importance of general health and state of body and mind! Just be confident and take care of your basic needs first, and you can do it too, don't sacrifice what is basic/essential for one more night of (sleepless) study or so.

I will copy and paste this comment on a few videos, good luck to all who read it!

[roronoagoku]

Got my results yesterday. Scored L7.5 R7.5 W7 S7.5 with an overall score of 7.5. I am from Chennai, India and took pen and paper based IELTS. I would like to give insights to anyone interested. And personally, I think achieving a band score of 7 or higher is easy if you prepare in the right way. Just comment your queries and I am happy to reply.

[thembiengulani]

I practiced for a full week and I got:
Speaking 9.0, Listening 8.5, Reading 8.5, Writing 8.0
These videos are amazing 🎉🎉

[ambeleleslie]

I had a 21😂😂I am taking my test tomorrow 😢😮

[upenyubenjamin]

Thank you so much E2 team with 2 weeks of practice only i got 8.5 in Listening and 8.0 in speaking, you guys are amazing.

[MariamJBah]

Thank you E2 ielts u guys are the best I got band 7.5 on my first trial with just two weeks prep

[rennylin]

received my result today, got average 7.5, I practised for over 3 weeks, and E2 youtube channel have helped a lot! Thank you!

[MyTusharkumar]

Hello E2 IELTS
I learnt the method and the procedure for IELTS LRWS and got more than what was expected
8.5, 8, 7.5, 8
Thank you so very much 🎉🎉❤

[jessicapatras]

They are talking very fast and difficult to understand

[creatinking]

Got overall 8 in academic IELTS, I’m ecstatic, I would like to attribute my success to team E2 . Definitely the best resource for IELTS . My score in writing would not have been possible without Jay

[EnglishArms]

Solute To You Man . What a Way of Teaching. Such a easy way😊

[onwechioma]

Hello sir . I scored 21 out of 30 question . Please tell me my score and band . Thank u

[mirabbos_muminjonov]

Thank you a lot E2 team. I got really useful advice and tips for Matching question 😊

[hamzaaytacyt]

I want to thank you for all your help and tips. At the end of a week watching you, I got the necessary results...

[dr.iqranaeem]

while solving listening mock test, i couldnt see full diagram and i have too keep scrolling bars here nd there nd missed that map diagram questions in chaos. plz modify ur paper according to screen please . i wasted my mock test bcz of it

[ding]

You speak very clear sir, I understand so much.i like your English .

[PsyRobert]

One thing that I learned and was so useful for IELTS is: to highlight...since the time is critical, it is just mandatory to hightlight and my advice is, highlight names and years, this applies not only to the listening part but also for the reading section of the test.

[justineanyigba]

Is this a live version or repeated version

[Ishika_Agrawal_]

Greetings from India!

Thank you E2 IELTS. I got my desired band. Moreover, I got an offer letter from the top US and German universities.

Thanks again !
Keep up the good work 👍

[saharadayib]

From Kenya
I have my test on Saturday 😮