IELTS Listening: Multiple choice
You choose one answer from three, or several from a longer list. It is the hardest Listening type for most candidates for one reason: the speaker usually mentions every option, and often says the wrong ones first.
The correction pattern
IELTS Listening builds distractors out of changed minds. A speaker names a day, then changes it. Suggests a room, then it is unavailable. The option you hear first is very often the one being rejected, and the answer arrives after a turn word.
- Listen for actually, in fact, but, although, I thought… but, sorry, no wait — the answer is on the far side of them.
- The last thing said about a point is usually the answer, not the first.
- In Part 3, a second speaker disagreeing is a correction in disguise.
Using the time before the section
- Read the question stems first, not the options — the stem tells you what to listen for.
- Underline the difference between options; they usually differ by one word.
- Decide as you listen; do not wait for confirmation that is not coming.
- If you miss one, mark it and move to the next question immediately.
On "choose two" sets each correct answer scores, so always give the number asked for. There is no negative marking anywhere in IELTS.
Multiple choice — FAQs
2 questions
Yes. IELTS Listening runs in order throughout, which is what makes a missed question recoverable — the next answer is still ahead of you.
By design. The distractors are mentioned and then rejected, so hearing an option is not evidence it is the answer.
More listening question types
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.