Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official IELTS question types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a band score. For official sample tests, visit ielts.org.
Before you start
Do
- Read the instructions for word limits, like "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS".
- Skim the passage first, then scan for answers.
- Check spelling: a misspelled answer is marked wrong.
- Leave no blanks. There's no penalty for wrong answers in IELTS.
Don't
- Don't spend too long on one question. Move on and come back.
- Don't write more words than the instructions allow.
- Don't replay the audio. In the real test you hear it once.
How the buttons work
- â–¶ Start test starts the clock (15 minutes) and shows one part at a time, as in the real test. In reading, the passage stays on screen next to the questions.
- Move between parts with â—€ Back and Next â–¶. As in the real test, you can go back and change answers until time runs out.
- Listening: each recording plays once. Read the questions first, then press play and answer as you listen.
- âťšâťš Pause stops the clock if you're interrupted (the real test can't be paused). End test finishes early and shows your results.
How it's marked
- Multiple-choice, fill-in and listening questions are marked instantly with the real test's rules. See exactly how we mark.
- At the end you'll see a results report by task type, with what to practise next.
Test paused. The clock has stopped.
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How this practice is marked
One point per correct answer, with spelling checked, as in the real IELTS. There's no penalty for wrong answers. We show points rather than a band, because IELTS converts raw scores using tables that vary by test version. See IELTS band scores explained and how our marking works.
Answers, explanations and transcripts
Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.
Listening
Transcript: Recording 1: a talk about the lamington
Today's talk is about the history of the Australian lamington, a sponge cake coated in chocolate and coconut. Most accounts link its name to Lord Lamington, who was Governor of Queensland in the late eighteen hundreds. There are several stories about how it was created, but historians agree that recipes appeared in cookbooks by the early nineteen hundreds. The cake became popular for fundraising, and today 'lamington drives' are still used by schools and community groups to raise money. National Lamington Day is celebrated on the twenty-first of July.
Transcript: Recording 2: a garden tour
Good afternoon, everyone. On this tour of the botanic gardens, we'll begin at the visitor centre, where you can pick up a free map. From there we'll walk to the rainforest walk, which is home to more than three hundred plant species. After that, we'll visit the herb garden, which is particularly popular with cooking classes. The tour finishes at the lake, where you can see black swans. Please note that the café closes at four pm, and the gardens themselves close at sunset.
Answer key (8 answers)
| # | Question | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The lamington is coated in chocolate and ___ | coconut | |
| 2 | Its name is linked to a former Governor of ___ | Queensland | |
| 3 | Recipes appeared in ___ | cookbooks (also accepted: cook books) | |
| 4 | by the early 1900s. Schools use 'lamington drives' to ___ | raise money (also accepted: fundraise) | |
| 5 | National Lamington Day: ___ | 21 July (also accepted: 21st July, twenty-first of July, july 21, 21st of July) | |
| 6 | Where does the tour begin? | C. At the visitor centre | The tour begins at the visitor centre. |
| 7 | What is special about the herb garden? | B. It is popular with cooking classes | The herb garden is popular with cooking classes. |
| 8 | What closes at 4 pm? | C. The café | The café closes at four; the gardens close at sunset. |
Frequently asked questions
What's in IELTS listening practice test 2?
A recording with notes and multiple choice questions, marked instantly with explanations.
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up.
Where can I take a full listening test?
Try our full IELTS Listening tests or the unlimited listening mock test.