IELTS Listening Multiple Answers: Tips, Example and Traps

In this guide

1. 1What Are IELTS Listening Multiple Answers Questions?
2. 2What the Questions Look Like
3. 3Step-by-Step Strategy for Multiple Answers Questions
4. 4Worked Example with Transcript and Explanations
5. 5Common Mistakes and Traps
6. 6How to Practise Multiple Answers Questions
7. 7Key Takeaways

IELTS Listening multiple answers questions appear mainly in Parts 2 and 3, where you listen to a monologue or a conversation and must select two correct options from a list of five (A–E). Each correct letter scores one mark, and you can write the two letters in any order on your answer sheet. This question type tests your ability to follow a discussion, recognise paraphrases and avoid distractors. In this guide, you will learn exactly what these questions involve, how to approach them step by step, and how to sidestep the most common traps.

What Are IELTS Listening Multiple Answers Questions?

In IELTS Listening multiple answers tasks, the instruction says Choose TWO letters, A–E (or sometimes Choose THREE letters from a longer list). The two letters cover two question numbers – for example, questions 11 and 12 – and you must pick the options that correctly answer the question. The speakers usually mention most of the options, so you need to listen carefully for which ones are confirmed and which are rejected.

These questions appear most often in:

• Part 2: a monologue on an everyday social topic, such as a guide describing facilities at a leisure centre or a volunteer coordinator explaining activities.
• Part 3: a conversation between two, three or four people in an educational context, for instance students discussing a project or a tutor giving feedback.

Because each recording is played only once, you must read the questions before the audio starts and track the options as you listen. The answers usually come in the same order as the options are discussed, but not always – speakers may jump back and forth, so you need to stay focused.

What the Questions Look Like

Below is a realistic sample from Part 2. You hear a manager of a community centre talking about new evening classes. The instruction line is in bold, and the task is presented as a table because the options are listed with letters.

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

Which TWO evening classes will start next month?

Questions 11 and 12

Write the correct letters in any order on your answer sheet.

In the real test, you would see the questions printed exactly like this, with the options labelled A–E. You then mark two letters on your answer sheet, for example B and D.

Step-by-Step Strategy for Multiple Answers Questions

Follow this strategy before, while and after listening to maximise your score.

1. Before the recording: read the question and underline key words

You have about 20–30 seconds to read the questions before the audio starts. Use this time to:

• Read the question stem carefully. In the sample above, the key words are two evening classes, start next month.
• Underline or mentally note these key words. They tell you what to listen for.
• Quickly read through all five options (A–E). Think of possible paraphrases. For example, “Digital photography” might be paraphrased as “taking photos with a digital camera” or “a course on digital cameras”.

2. During the recording: tick confirmed options, cross out rejected ones

As you listen, keep your pencil moving. The speaker will often mention several options, but only two will match the question. Use a simple system:

• If an option is clearly confirmed as an answer, put a tick (✓) next to it.
• If an option is mentioned but rejected or does not fit the question, put a cross (✗) next to it.
• If you are unsure, put a question mark (?) and keep listening – you may get clarification later.

Remember, the speakers often use paraphrases, not the exact words from the options. For instance, “We’re starting a class on taking photos with digital cameras” matches option B, “Digital photography”.

3. Watch out for self-corrections and distractors

Speakers frequently say one thing and then change their mind. For example: “We planned to offer yoga, but the instructor is unavailable, so we’ve replaced it with Pilates.” Here, option A (Yoga) is a distractor – it is mentioned but rejected. The correct answer would be whatever replaces it, if that option exists.

Also, listen for words like but, however, actually, instead, unfortunately, which often signal a correction or rejection.

4. Write the two letters as you hear them confirmed

Once you are confident you have two correct options, write the letters next to the question numbers. On the paper-based test, you will transfer these to the answer sheet later. On the computer-delivered test, you click the letters directly.

You can write the two letters in any order – for example, B, D or D, B – both are marked correct.

5. After the recording: check and transfer carefully

In the paper-based test, you have 10 minutes at the end of the whole Listening test to transfer your answers. Use this time to:

• Make sure you have written exactly two letters for the two question numbers.
• Check that the letters are clear and match your ticks.
• Never leave a blank – there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so always guess if necessary.

In the computer-delivered test, you have only 2 minutes at the end to check all your answers, so you must enter the letters directly during the listening.

Worked Example with Transcript and Explanations

Here is the transcript for the sample task above. The manager of a community centre is speaking to visitors.

Manager: Now, I’d like to tell you about some new evening classes we’re launching. A lot of you have asked about yoga for beginners, and I’m pleased to say that will start in about six weeks – not next month, I’m afraid, because the instructor is on holiday. Next month, however, we have two brand-new courses. The first is for anyone interested in taking better photos. It’s called Digital Photography, and you’ll learn how to use your camera properly. We did think about offering creative writing, but the tutor we wanted isn’t available until the autumn. So instead, we’ve decided to run a Conversational Spanish class – that’s for people who want to practise speaking, not just grammar. Finally, watercolour painting was very popular last year, but we’re not repeating it this term because the room is being redecorated.

Answers explained

Correct answers: B (Digital photography) and D (Conversational Spanish)

• Option B – Digital photography is confirmed when the manager says: “The first is for anyone interested in taking better photos. It’s called Digital Photography.” This directly matches the option and the question asks for classes starting next month.
• Option D – Conversational Spanish is confirmed when the manager says: “So instead, we’ve decided to run a Conversational Spanish class.” The word “instead” signals a change from the previously mentioned creative writing, and the phrase “we’ve decided to run” confirms it will start.

Why the other options are wrong:

• A – Yoga for beginners: Mentioned but delayed. The manager says it will start “in about six weeks – not next month”. This is a clear distractor.
• C – Creative writing: Mentioned but rejected. The manager says “we did think about offering creative writing, but the tutor we wanted isn’t available”. The word “but” introduces the rejection.
• E – Watercolour painting: Mentioned but not starting. The manager says it “was very popular last year, but we’re not repeating it this term”. Again, “but” signals a rejection.

Notice how the speaker mentions all five options, but only two are confirmed as starting next month. This is typical of multiple answers IELTS Listening tasks.

Common Mistakes and Traps

Avoid these frequent pitfalls when tackling IELTS Listening multiple answers questions.

• Choosing the first two options you hear. Speakers often mention distractors first. Always listen for confirmation words like “we’re launching”, “the new course is”, or “you can now join”. If an option is mentioned but followed by a negative or a delay, cross it out.
• Ignoring self-corrections. If a speaker says “We were going to offer X, but instead we’re doing Y”, option X is wrong, and Y is likely correct – if Y appears in the list. Train your ear to catch these corrections.
• Writing more than two letters. The instruction says Choose TWO letters. If you write three, even if two are correct, the whole answer may be marked wrong because you have not followed the instruction. Stick to exactly two.
• Getting distracted by similar-sounding words. For example, “photography” might be mentioned in connection with a different course, or “Spanish” might appear as “Spanish literature” when the option is “Conversational Spanish”. Listen for the full meaning, not just a keyword.
• Losing focus after hearing one answer. You must keep listening for the second answer. Sometimes the two correct options are mentioned close together, but other times they are separated by several sentences. Use your ticks and crosses to stay on track.
• Forgetting that answers can come in any order. The two letters can be written in any order on the answer sheet. Do not waste time worrying about which to write first.

How to Practise Multiple Answers Questions

Regular, focused practice is the best way to improve. Here are some concrete exercises you can do.

• Predict paraphrases. Take any list of options from a practice test and write down two or three possible paraphrases for each. Then listen to the recording and see how many you predicted correctly. This builds your ability to spot answers quickly.
• Listen for signposting words. Play a recording and pause every time you hear a word like but, however, actually, instead, unfortunately, or the good news is. Write down what was said before and after. This trains you to catch corrections and confirmations.
• Create your own transcripts. After completing a practice task, listen again and write out exactly what the speakers said for each option. Underline the words that confirmed or rejected each one. This deepens your understanding of how distractors work.
• Practise with background noise. In the real test, you may hear other candidates turning pages or coughing. Try listening to practice recordings with low-level background noise (like a café recording) to build concentration.
• Use a structured approach. For targeted practice with instant feedback, you can work through IELTS Listening lessons that focus on multiple choice questions. This helps you apply the strategies in a timed setting.

For more help with other question types, see our guides on IELTS Listening multiple choice questions (one answer) and IELTS Listening matching questions, which often appear in the same parts of the test.

Key Takeaways

• IELTS Listening multiple answers questions require you to select two correct options from a list of five (A–E), and you can write the letters in any order.
• Read the question and all options before the recording starts, and underline key words to focus your listening.
• During the audio, tick options as they are confirmed and cross them out when rejected – speakers usually mention most options.
• Beware of distractors and self-corrections signalled by words like but or actually; the first thing you hear is often not the answer.
• Write exactly two letters for the two question numbers, and never leave a blank – there is no penalty for guessing.
• Practise predicting paraphrases and identifying signposting language to improve your accuracy with IELTS Listening multiple answers tasks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I write the two letters in any order for IELTS Listening multiple answers questions?

Yes, you can write the two letters in any order on your answer sheet. For example, if the correct answers are B and D, both B, D and D, B will be marked correct. Each letter is marked independently, so the order does not affect your score.

How many marks do I get for a multiple answers question in IELTS Listening?

Each correct letter scores one mark. Since the task covers two question numbers, you can earn up to two marks. If you only get one letter right, you still get one mark. There is no half-mark scoring.

What happens if I choose three letters instead of two in an IELTS Listening multiple answers question?

If you write three letters when the instruction says choose TWO, your answer may be marked entirely wrong because you have not followed the instruction. Always check the question carefully and write exactly the number of letters asked for.

In which parts of the IELTS Listening test do multiple answers questions appear?

These questions most often appear in Part 2 (a monologue on an everyday social topic) and Part 3 (a conversation in an educational context). They are less common in Parts 1 and 4, but can occasionally appear in Part 4 if the lecture includes a list of points.

How can I avoid distractors in IELTS Listening multiple answers questions?

Listen for signposting words like but, however, actually and instead, which often introduce corrections or rejections. Keep a simple system of ticking confirmed options and crossing out rejected ones as you listen. Also, read the options beforehand and think of possible paraphrases so you are not tricked by similar-sounding words.