Module 4 · Listening part

Listening

Eight task types in two sections: Section A (Summarize Spoken Text) runs on its own timer with no rollover, while Section B shares one clock across every remaining task. The module ends with Write From Dictation — the most score-rich task in the exam.

Section A — no rollover time

01

Summarize Spoken Text

Scores: Listening + Writing
  • Own timer per question
  • Worth 14.8 writing pts
  • Worth 8 listening pts

Listen to a lecture and write a short summary. This is the only listening task with a dedicated timer — unused time does not roll over, so use all of it to polish grammar and spelling.

📋 Summarize Spoken Text template

The speaker provided a comprehensive overview of (main topic), highlighting several ideas.

To begin with, they emphasized (key idea 1), which plays a crucial role in (related concept). In addition, they discussed (key idea 2), illustrating this through (example or effect). Moreover, the lecture addressed (key idea 3), linking it to (another implication).

In conclusion, the lecture conveyed (final insight or overall message).

Scoring criteriaContentFormGrammarVocabularySpelling
Max trait score42222

Section B — shared rollover time

02

Multiple Choice: Multiple Answers

Scores: Listening
  • 2–3 questions
  • 5–6s before audio
  • ⚠ Negative marking

Hear a recording, choose all correct answers. Use the seconds before the audio to understand the question and skim the options.

⚠️ Negative marking

Select more than one option only when 100% sure; otherwise choose a single confident answer.

03

Fill in the Blanks

Scores: Listening + Writing
  • 2–3 questions
  • Worth 6 listening pts

The transcript of an audio lecture appears with several words replaced by blanks; type the missing words as you hear them.

✅ Strategy

  • Use the 5–6 seconds before the audio to note where the blanks sit.
  • Listen carefully for word endings: "s", "es", and "ed" sounds.
  • Jot answers on your notepad first, then type — don't chase the audio on screen.
  • Apply grammar rules to sanity-check each blank.
04

Highlight Correct Summary

Scores: Listening + Reading
  • 2–3 questions
  • Audio 30–60s
  • 4–5 summary options

Skim the candidate summaries in the seconds before the recording starts, then pick the one that matches. The correct option is usually paraphrased rather than word-for-word, so match meaning, not vocabulary.

05

Multiple Choice: Single Answer

Scores: Listening
  • 2–3 questions
  • ~40s each

One recording, one correct option. Understand the overall meaning of the lecture — the right answer is usually a paraphrase. Decide within the audio timing and move on.

06

Select Missing Word

Scores: Listening
  • 1–2 questions
  • 3–5 options

The final word or phrase of a recording is replaced by a beep; choose what belongs there. Read the task description at the top first — it tells you the topic — and note the last few phrases before the beep to predict the answer.

07

Highlight Incorrect Words

Scores: Listening + Reading
  • Up to 7 errors per transcript
  • Worth 10 reading pts
  • ⚠ Negative marking

A transcript is shown while the audio plays, but some words differ from what is said. Click the words that don't match. The planted errors are usually nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives.

⚠️ Negative marking

Highlight a word only when you are sure it didn't match the audio — wrong clicks cost marks.

08

Write From Dictation

Scores: Listening + Writing
  • 3–4 questions
  • Sentence 8–16 words
  • Worth 18.48 writing pts
  • Worth 10 listening pts

The last task of the exam and the single most important one: you hear a sentence and type it exactly as heard. It contributes huge scores to both the Writing and Listening modules — never rush it, and never leave it without time.

✅ Checklist for every dictation

  • Listen to the whole sentence carefully before typing.
  • Keep the structure: Subject + Verb + Object.
  • Capitalize the first word, and the first letter of any proper noun.
  • Put exactly one full stop at the end.
  • Double-check spelling before moving on — every correct word counts.

⚠️ Manage Section B's shared clock

Everything after Summarize Spoken Text runs on one rolling timer. Budget backwards from Write From Dictation: whatever happens, arrive at the final task with enough time to type and check every sentence.