80 Days to Conquer IELTS Listening (Revised Edition)

Author: Jiang Tao, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: For many IELTS test-takers, listening has always been a major challenge. This is due to two key characteristics of the IELTS listening test: , it requires test-takers to fill in what they hear. Unlike traditional listening tests, the IELTS listening exam not only tests whether you understand what you hear but also whether you can write it down correctly. Many test-takers fail here, often losing points due to spelling mistakes. The second characteristic is that the listening material consists of long passages rather than short conversations. Most non-native English learners experience some degree of delayed reaction when processing listening information, meaning they may feel they understand but struggle to grasp the exact meaning in the short term. If there is a break between questions, this lag can be compensated, but unfortunately, the IELTS listening test does not have the 10-12-second intervals seen in the CET-4/CET-6 and TOEFL exams. The relentless flow of information often leaves test-takers overwhelmed. To address these two characteristics, test-takers should focus on developing two key skills during preparation: · Strong dictation skills. For common, frequently heard, and widely used words, you must not only be able to read and listen to them but also write them correctly! · Resilience. For long listening passages, in addition to understanding and keeping up, you must also be adept at conserving energy and,. As Xunzi said, "Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles." This book is divided into three stages: starting with cultivating sensitivity to numbers and locations, gradually connecting the dots to form lines and then expanding those lines into a broader picture, finally meeting the IELTS listening requirements. When doing the exercises in this book, test-takers should pay attention to or avoid the following points: 1. The dictation exercises in the daily practice should not be skipped. The filled-in content should be treated as a key memory focus. 2. Do not overlook the short listening stories interspersed throughout the book. These stories are Chinese retellings of actual listening questions from past exams, commonly referred to as "test tips," with English words in parentheses often indicating the answers to be filled in. As a supplementary part of listening skill development, this section provides valuable insights into actual listening questions for many test-takers. 3. If test-takers have a strong foundation in listening, they can do two days' worth of exercises in one day during the first 50 days of practice, but they should not skip days. 4. The daily practice time is not long. As the saying goes, "Less is more" when it comes to learning English. In summary, maintaining a relaxed and progressive mindset is crucial.