IELTS Listening Section 1: Survival English Strategies

Quick Answer: IELTS Listening Section 1 is the easiest part of the test, but many candidates lose marks due to simple mistakes like spelling errors and missing plurals. Focus on predicting the topic, listening for factual details (names, numbers, dates), and writing exactly what you hear. Practice with real-life conversations (e.g., booking a hotel, ordering food) to build confidence.

Table of Contents

What is IELTS Listening Section 1?

Why Candidates Lose Marks in Section 1

Survival English Strategies for Section 1

Band Score Comparison Table

What is IELTS Listening Section 1?

IELTS Listening Section 1 is a conversation between two speakers in an everyday social context. Typical situations include:

Booking a hotel room or restaurant table

Renting an apartment

Enrolling in a course

Making an appointment (doctor, dentist, interview)

Asking for directions or information

The conversation is usually slower and clearer than later sections. You will hear 10 questions, typically requiring you to fill in a form, table, or notes with short answers (e.g., name, phone number, address, date, price).

Why Candidates Lose Marks in Section 1

Despite being the “easiest” section, many test-takers score poorly because of:

Poor spelling – Names and addresses often use uncommon spellings (e.g., “Colin” instead of “Colin” but the speaker spells it out: C-O-L-I-N). Missing a letter = wrong answer.

Missing plural ‘s’ – If the answer is “tickets” but you write “ticket”, you lose the mark.

Not listening for distractors – The speaker may mention two similar numbers or names and then correct themselves.

Writing too much – The instruction says “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”. Writing four words is invalid.

Ignoring word limits – Some questions require “ONE WORD ONLY” – using two words is wrong even if meaning matches.

Survival English Strategies for Section 1

1. Read the Questions Before the Audio Starts

You get about 30 seconds to read the questions. Use this time to:

Identify the type of information needed (name, date, number, word)

Predict possible answers (e.g., “arrival date” → likely a day/month or date)

Note any word limits (e.g., “write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER”)

2. Focus on Names and Numbers

Names are often spelled out letter by letter. Write down the letters as you hear them, then check spelling after the audio.

For numbers, listen for “double” (e.g., “double four” = 44) and “triple” (e.g., “triple seven” = 777).

Dates: British format (day-month-year) is common, but you can write “12th March” or “12 March” – both are accepted.

3. Watch for Distractors

The speaker may change their mind:

“My phone number is 07700 123456… actually, it’s 07700 123455.”

“I’d like a single room… no, make it a double.”

Always write the final corrected version.

4. Use the Pause to Check Spelling

After each answer, you have a few seconds. Use them to:

Double-check spelling (especially of names like “Smythe” vs “Smith”)

Confirm you’ve followed the word limit

Write neatly – capitals are fine but legibility matters in computer-based tests.

5. Practise Real-Life English

Section 1 uses survival English – the kind you need for everyday life. Listen to:

Hotel booking dialogues on YouTube

Phone conversations (e.g., calling a doctor’s office)

Podcasts like “6 Minute English” (BBC) for British accents

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Basic understanding but missing details. Errors in spelling or numbers. Gets around 23-25 correct.
7	Good grasp of main facts. Occasional spelling slip. Gets 30-32 correct.
8	Almost all correct. Handles distractors and spelling easily. Gets 35-37 correct.
9	Flawless – every answer correct, no spelling errors, perfect word limits. Gets 39-40 correct.

Sample Answers

Below are sample answers to a typical Section 1 question (booking a table at a restaurant).

Question:

Name of caller: ______

Number of people: ______

Date: ______

Time: ______

Special requests: ______

Band 7 Answer:

Name: Jon Smith (but speaker spelled “J-o-h-n S-m-i-t-h” – candidate wrote “Jon” instead of “John” – wrong)

Number of people: 4

Date: 15th May

Time: 7:30 PM

Special requests: vegetarian meal

Why Band 7? Missing name spelling is a common error. The examiner deducts for incorrect spelling of common names. Band 8 Answer:

Name: John Smith

Number of people: 4

Date: 15 May

Time: 7:30 pm

Special requests: vegetarian

Why Band 8? All correct, but minor issue: for “Time”, they wrote “7:30 pm” instead of “7.30 pm” – the audio said “seven thirty pm”. The form may accept either, but consistent with the audio is safer. Band 9 Answer:

Name: John Smith

Number of people: 4 (four)

Date: 15 May

Time: 7.30 pm

Special requests: vegetarian menu

Why Band 9? Every detail matches the audio exactly. “4” is correct, but candidates can also write “four” if the word limit allows. Special requests exactly as heard.

Common Mistakes

❌Writing “30th” when audio says “30” – Dates like “30 April” are correct; adding “th” is unnecessary and counts as an extra word.

❌Confusing “13” and “30” – “Thirteen” vs “thirty” – listen for the stress: thirTEEN (two syllables) vs THIRty (one).

❌Ignoring word limit instructions – e.g., “Write ONE WORD ONLY” – then writing “2 words” loses the mark.

Top Tips

💡 Always write down the spelling as the speaker says it. Even if you know how to spell “Christopher”, if they spell “C-h-r-i-s-t-o-p-h-e-r” – you must copy exactly. No short forms.

💡 If unsure about a number, write it as a word – sometimes words are easier to check later. But prefer digits for clarity.

💡 Don’t panic if you miss one. Move on immediately. Section 1 audio only plays once. Focus on the next question.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Also try the British Council’s official practice tests.

FAQ

Q: Can I write answers in capital letters? A: Yes, capital letters are fine for all sections, including Section 1. Just make sure they are legible. Q: What if the speaker says a name but doesn’t spell it? A: Then write what you hear. Common names (e.g., “Anna”) are usually not spelled out. For uncommon names, they will spell them. Q: Should I write “double L” as “LL”? A: Yes. If the speaker says “double L”, you write “LL” (two L’s). Do not write the word “double”. Q: How many words can I write for Section 1 answers? A: Follow the instruction on the question paper. Typically “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”. Some questions may say “ONE WORD ONLY”.

Key Takeaways

✅Predict the type of information needed (name, number, date) before audio starts.

✅Listen carefully for spelling and number distractors.

✅Write exactly what you hear – no paraphrasing.

✅Use pauses to check spelling and word limits.

✅Practise with real-life dialogues, not just academic lectures.

Related Posts:

IELTS Listening Section 2: Map Labelling Tips

IELTS Listening Section 3: Multiple Choice Strategies

IELTS Listening Section 4: Note Completion with Academic Vocabulary