Skip to content
KitWren

Search tools

Listening

Conversations, announcements and talks with questions and transcripts. Recordings are read by your device’s voice unless a real recording has been added; you can replay, pause and slow them down.

Practise now

Recording 1 of 78

At the office

Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.

Sam: Good afternoon, Mrs Patel.

Mrs Patel: Good afternoon, Sam. How are you?

Sam: Not bad, thanks. And you?

Mrs Patel: I’m very well. See you at the meeting.

Sam: Yes, see you later.

1.What time of day is it?

2.How is Sam?

3.The conversation is formal.

How to improve

  • Read the questions first

    Predict what you’ll hear: a time, a place, a reason? Your brain listens better when it knows what it’s looking for.

  • Listen for stressed words

    Speakers stress the important information. You don’t need every word — catch the key ones.

  • Replay, then read

    Listen twice, answer, then read the transcript while listening. Notice sounds that joined together or disappeared.

  • Use slower speed first

    Start at a slower speed and move to normal speed once you understand most of it.

  • Numbers and spelling

    Practise -teen/-ty numbers (thirTEEN, THIRty) and spelled names — they appear in almost every test.

  • Listen every day

    Podcasts, videos and songs you enjoy all count. Little and often beats long and rare.

IELTS and TOEFL listening practice

Lessons with listening practice