How to Catch Every Answer in IELTS Listening – Even the Tricky Ones

Over the last 14 years of coaching IELTS students, I’ve seen it happen over and over again: students do well in Listening practice at home, but lose key marks on test day—especially on the tricky questions.

Have you ever thought:

• “I heard the answer, but I still got it wrong.”

• “The speaker changed their mind and I got confused.”

• “The audio was too fast—I lost track.”

• “I missed one answer and then couldn’t focus on the rest.”

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

The truth is, IELTS Listening is not just about your ears. It’s about preparation, prediction, and presence of mind. In this post, I’ll teach you how to catch every answer, especially the tricky ones—even if you’re not a native English speaker or a natural listener.

Let’s begin.

Why You’re Missing Answers (and How to Stop It)

IELTS Listening isn’t hard because the answers are hidden. It’s hard because:

• You only get to hear the audio once

• There’s no pause button

• The speakers use natural, unpredictable speech

• Some questions are designed to confuse or distract you

So, what separates a Band 6 from a Band 8?

Strategy. Timing. Awareness.

Let’s break it down.

Know the Test Structure Before You Hear a Single Word

If you don’t fully understand the test format, it’s like entering a maze blindfolded. Here’s what you must know:

IELTS Listening Structure:

• 4 Parts (10 questions each = 40 total)

• Part 1: Everyday conversation (e.g., booking a ticket)

• Part 2: Monologue (e.g., a speech or public announcement)

• Part 3: Group conversation (e.g., students discussing a project)

• Part 4: Academic lecture (fastest, most complex)

Each section gets harder. So, you need to:

• Be calm in Part 1 (it’s your warm-up)

• Be sharp by Part 3 (tricky conversations start here)

• Be focused and steady in Part 4 (high information density)

Know this structure like the back of your hand. It helps you prepare mentally for what’s coming next.

The 3 Reasons You Miss Tricky Answers

And How Smart Listeners Avoid These Traps

After working with thousands of students, I’ve identified three main reasons students miss answers—even when they’re listening carefully:

1. You weren’t ready for the answer when it came.

Solution: Pre-listen effectively (see next section).

2. You were confused by a correction.

The speaker says one thing, then changes their mind.

Example:
“Let’s meet at 4pm… no wait, actually, 5 would be better.”

Always write the final answer.

3. You lost focus for just 5 seconds.

And those 5 seconds = 2 missing answers.

Solution: Use visual scanning and active listening (more below).

Master the Art of Pre-Listening

How to Use the 30 Seconds Before the Audio Starts

Before each section, IELTS gives you 30 seconds to look at the questions. Most students waste this time.

Here’s how to use it wisely:

• Underline keywords in each question (nouns, numbers, verbs)

• Predict the type of answer you need (name? number? place?)

• Notice the question format (note completion? multiple choice?)

• Quickly scan for sequence or flow (do the questions follow a timeline?)

Pre-listening is your secret weapon. It helps your brain prepare, so you don’t get caught off guard.

Watch the Questions Like a Hawk

How Your Eyes Can Help Your Ears Catch Every Detail

One of the best listening strategies I teach is:

“Your eyes are as important as your ears.”

Here’s why:

• The questions guide your listening

• They tell you what to expect next

• Watching them prevents you from losing your place

Train your eyes to:

• Move line by line with the audio

• Stay one step ahead, not behind

• Circle or mark your spot while listening

If you lose track of the questions, you lose track of the audio.

Don’t Just Listen — Anticipate

Train Your Brain to Expect the Answer Before It Comes

Want to catch more answers? Start predicting them.

Let’s say the question is:

“What time will the meeting start?”

Even before the speaker talks, your brain should be alert for:

• Numbers

• Times

• Schedule changes

When you anticipate, you’re already “half-listening” for the right thing. It sharpens your focus and prevents surprises.

You can practice this daily by:

• Listening to podcasts or news

• Pausing and predicting what the speaker will say next

This is a high-level skill that Band 8+ scorers develop.

Handle Accents, Speed, and Distractions

Stay Focused When the Audio Gets Fast or Complicated

IELTS uses different English accents: British, Australian, Canadian, and sometimes mixed.

To stay ready:

• Expose yourself to varied accents (BBC, ABC News Australia, TED Talks, Canadian podcasts)

• Focus on rhythm and stress, not just words

• Don’t panic when you miss a word—stay with the speaker

Also, expect distractors:

“The cost was £200… oh wait, sorry, that includes a deposit. So, the actual price is £150.”

This is deliberate confusion. IELTS does this to test attention.

Train yourself to:

• Listen calmly

• Accept corrections without panic

• Write the corrected info, not the first

Write While Listening — Without Getting Lost

Tips to Record Answers Quickly Without Missing the Next One

One of the biggest challenges is writing answers while listening to the next question.

Here’s how to handle it:

• Keep your writing short and clear

• Use abbreviations or symbols if needed

• Only write what you’re sure about—leave blanks if unsure, then guess later

Also, practice writing and moving your eyes at the same time. This skill comes with repetition.

Pro tip: Always double-check spelling and grammar. Simple mistakes = lost marks.

Avoid These Common Listening Mistakes

From Spelling Errors to Getting Distracted — What to Watch For

Let’s clear out some bad habits:

Mistake 1: Not checking instructions

If it says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS,” and you write three, it’s wrong.

Mistake 2: Missing plurals or articles

“Car” ≠ “Cars” in IELTS. “A problem” ≠ “Problem.”

Mistake 3: Forgetting to guess

If you miss an answer, move on—but come back and guess intelligently.

Mistake 4: Falling behind on the question paper

If your eyes are two questions behind, your brain is lost. Always stay synced.

Practice Smart, Not Just Hard

The Best Way to Train Your Listening Using Real IELTS Tests

Don’t just do test after test. Do this instead:

1. Practice under real conditions

Use headphones. No pause. No rewinding. Simulate test-day pressure.

2. Analyze each answer afterward

Ask:

• What helped me get this right?

• Why did I miss this one?

• What kind of mistake was it? (spelling? mishearing? distraction?)

3. Repeat the same test once a week

The first time, focus on catching answers.
The second time, focus on how the speaker leads to the answers.
This builds deeper awareness.

How to Stay Calm, Stay Focused, and Stay on Track

On test day, it’s all about mental discipline. Here’s how to stay sharp:

• Take a deep breath before each section

• Don’t panic if you miss one answer

• Stay present and keep moving

• Trust your preparation

Remember: You only need about 30 correct answers to get Band 7. You don’t need perfection—you need consistency.

Final Words from Coach Karan Kumar

IELTS Listening isn’t about being a perfect listener—it’s about being a smart one.

The students who succeed:

• Understand the test format

• Predict answers in advance

• Stay laser-focused during the audio

• Learn from their mistakes

If you can do that, you’ll not only catch the easy answers—you’ll catch the tricky ones too.

So, whether you’re aiming for a Band 7 or pushing for that Band 8.5, know this:

Every answer is catchable… if you know when and how to listen.

Need help mastering Listening?

Join one of my targeted IELTS Listening coaching sessions or get personalized feedback on your practice tests.