IELTS Listening Section is quite tough for candidates who are from countries: like Pakistan, in which English is not spoken commonly. The candidates find it challenging when it comes to listen and understand English in different accents. In this test, the audio for listening is played only once so one should be very focused and should listen to the audio very carefully, even a little distraction can make you lose your marks.
Let us now focus on the most common mistakes that candidates make during the Listening Section of their IELTS Exam.
IELTS-listening
The problem in Listening and understanding the pronunciation
When the audio is played, just stay focused! All your concentration should be there. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to understand the pronunciation of the person speaking in the clip in a particular accent. If you keep on thinking about the same word, you may result in failing to hear more words after that! Therefore, stay focused with all your concentration and avoid thinking about the single word even if you are unable to understand.
Mistakes made during listening to similar-sounding words:
You may get confused with the similar-sounding words (for example sea and see, pear and pair, would and wood) if you are not paying attention to the topic being discussed in the audio clip. So, stay focused and try to listen and understand as well. For this, practice as much as possible. Listen to Television News, Debates, Group Discussions and Talk shows and also try listening to sample audio clips and take mocks. Practice as much as you can!
Mistakes made while transferring your Answers on 'Answer Sheet'
When you are listening to the audio, write your answers on the question paper. You will get 10 minutes after you listen to the audio, to transfer all your answers on the 'Answer Sheet'. So, again stay focused with all your concentration while transferring your answers on the Answer Sheet so you don't even miss a single word.
Read Instruction Carefully!
One should read the instructions carefully before attempting this section. If it is given in the instruction "Write in not more than two words", then the answer should be written in 2two words only otherwise you will lose all your marks for that!
Don't copy answers on the Answer Sheet during the gap between the sections.
The Listening Test has Four Sections. At the starting of each section, students are given some time to read instructions and look at the questions after that the actual audio is played. Candidates often make the mistake of copying answers on the Answer Sheet during a gap between the end of one section and the beginning of other section. As this time is given to read the questions, so one commits a blunder by doing this mistake! You will get 10 minutes to transfer the answers on the 'Answer Sheet'.
Sticking to your first thought!
After writing an answer, candidates keep on thinking whether it is right or not. It is going to kill your time! So, stick to the first thought that came while writing your answer.
Don't feel Scared!
It's not possible for anyone to understand each and every word of the audio clip. So, don't feel scared and nervous if you miss any word to understand. Being nervous would make you commit more mistakes.
Last but not least, the key to crack this section is to keep practising, listen to the TV Talk Shows, take mocks and listen to the sample audios. Taking mock tests on the IELTS Listening Section will boost your confidence and you will be less nervous while sitting in the IELTS Exam.
