Prepare the questions below by underlining keywords and paraphrasing before you listen to the recording.
Reading City Travel Information
Questions 1-3
Answer using no more than two words and/or a number.
1. How long is the journey from Heathrow to Reading by express bus?
2. On the intercity from Paddington, which stop is Reading?
3. How long is the train journey from London to Reading?
Recording
Answers- AN HOUR
The length of time is given “it takes….”. It is common to be given two numbers in the same sentence – one number is the length and the other number is the frequency – pay attention to that and don’t get confused. The word “about” can’t be used due to the word limit. - FIRST STOP
- 30 MINS / 30 MINUTES (it is best to write numbers as digits rather than words – this avoids spelling mistakes which can cause you to lose a point)
There are a number of ways to get to Reading if that is your destination. If you are arriving by air the nearest airport is Heathrow and from there you can take the Railair express bus which runs every 20 mins and takes about an hour. Another London airport near Reading is Gatwick which is about 50 mins away by car or you could take the hourly train from the South Terminal which takes about 75mins. From London, you should travel from London Paddington station if you want to get to Reading and catch an intercity train. You should get off at the first stop. There are several trains running each hour and the travel time is about 30mins. (information from wiki)
You notice that I use all capital letters when I write my answers – this is the best way to write your answers for both reading and listening. See the IELTS Exam FAQ page for more information about IELTS
Hi Liz, I hope you’re feeling better now. Please do take a lot of rest.
Thanks so much, much love from Nigeria here💕
Thanks. I’m still sick, but I am hopeful for 2021 🙂
Hi Liz,
My heart sank as I heard about your health. Please take good care of yourself. My heart is praying for your speedy recovery.
No words to express my gratitude for the help you extended for free. You are such a kind person. Love you! Sending your way my heartiest prayers. Get Well Soon!
Thank you. I really appreciate your comment.
Hi Liz!
Just finished all the listening modules on your website. You are absolutely phenomenal. I really don’t know how to thank you enough! So here’s me small attempt 😀
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Btw, I was hoping you would put some paid listening materials in the ‘Advanced IELTS’ section too. I would buy all of them in a heartbeat and I reckon a lot of your other students would too.
I’m really pleased you found the lessons useful. I’m currently working on Advanced Reading lessons, but as I’m not well, it will take me a long time to finish them. Hopefully next year I’ll get better and be able to do more work. Anyway, I wish you lots of luck in your test!! 🙂
Oh No! I didn’t know about your health. So sorry to hear that 🙁 Please take as much rest as you can and get well soon. Health comes first. God bless you.
Thanks
Hello liz
I really can not understand why my questions are getting deleted and no response for them as well.
I also like any other students who put their questions or appreciation, had some queries. But i do not know really what is the problem?
I would be grateful if you reply me please.
I work alone, I am sick and I am not able to answer everyone. I also don’t offer a question/answer service. When I feel well, I answer some comments – that’s all. Please read the HOME page to learn how to use my website appropriately. Thanks.
Hi Liz,
Pls get well soon…..We all love and care about you.
My LRW text is tomorrow 8th of August.
Lots of luck!!
Hello Liz,
I recently came across a listening task that stated the following as the instruction before one of the sections, “Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer”. I then proceeded to answer some questions which had numbers as their answers, but wrote those answers in word from (for example fifteen, eight am, five), Upon submitting my work, those questions were marked wrong. I just wanted to know if in fact the format in which i answered those questions was wrong given the instructions I was given.
Thanks
What do you mean “I came across a listening task”. Did this come from official IELTS sources?
Not exactly official, just some websites.
Try to avoid such websites. While the overall practice might be useful, you will find the answers don’t match official answers and the test may not be 100% authentic. Use official IELTS tests to learn about the actual test format and test answer options. About writing numbers, you are marked on spelling so if you have the chance to write only 15, it is better to use a digit rather than a word. Make wise choices and avoid possible problems.
Thanks Liz, do you have any you can recommend
IELTS have published many real tests which you can buy. They are published in the IELTS Cambridge test books. Book 15 is released this month. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/recommended-books-for-ielts/
Thank you so much
Hi Liz,
I’ve finished all the listening tips. I had missed many questions but I feel much improvement now and got confidence in me. And I’ll do rest of the lessons further.
Thanks a million for all of those hard works free for us.
Hey Liz! I must thank you. I have prepared for ILETS in your website, within 7 days itself I was able to crack band 7 in the main test.
Thanks a million. I am going to australia for my masters now. Take care of your website and your beautiful health.
That’s great news!! Very well done 🙂 I really hope you enjoy Australia. I’ve heard it’s a friendly. welcoming country 🙂 Wishing you all the best out there 🙂
Hi Liz, I didn’t get the second answer
See this part of the transcript: “from London Paddington station if you want to get to Reading and catch an intercity train. You should get off at the first stop.”
I have been practicing some Listening practice tests from Cambridge Official Guide to IELTS book (For Academic & General Training) and I am kind of confuse on how to answer short answer questions. The book does have the answer key and I am not certain what does answers in brackets mean. For example: The answer to below question (No more than two word type) according to the answer key at the back of the book was : (the) radio
How did you hear about the club?
I am not too sure what the brackets mean. I have specifically noticed that pattern in these types of listening questions. Any chance you know what that could mean? Does bracket indicate that its optional to mention that in an answer? OR Generally speaking, what should be the correct answer to this question, “the radio” or just “radio”.
Thank you and I would really appreciate any advice on this.
Sid
It means there is an optional word that can be part of the answer. You have two options: the radio or radio. Both answers would be right for that question.
That really helps. Thank you Liz
Most examinees like to write down the answer of listening and reading section in upper case. Suppose, the answer of a question is: “working”. Many will write it: “WORKING”. but if I write the first letter in upper case and the remaining letters of the word in lower case, that is, “Working”, will it be considered incorrect? Will I loose mark?
It is best to use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
Thank you so much Liz I’ve finished all your practice exercises and found myself improved.
Dear mam,
This is to let you know that, this listening lesson is incorrectly listed in the “Practice Lessons for Reading Skills” section, of the page “ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips”.
I thought it would be a good idea to let you know about this, so that this could be fixed.
Thanking you, for your wonderful lessons and your kind heart to share these for free !!!
You are absolutely right. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
30 ‘ could be correct?
Thank you Liz for your valuable information on the site and in youtube. I have scored 7.5 band overall and L-7, R-8.5 W-7 S-7.5
Excellent – well done 🙂
Hello Liz,
Would you mind clearing my confusion I’ve had for many days? It is regarding an upper case and lower case for each start of an answer. For example, at every beginning of a short answer, should I write “about 1 hour” or “About 1 hour”?
It is best to write all your answers using capital letters for listening and reading.
Do you mean “ABOUT 1 HOUR”?
Yes. It avoids problems and it’s easier to read for the person marking your answers.
Hi liz
It written not more that 2 words but the answer you mentioned is ‘about 1 hour’ aren’t its 3 words. Please correct if wrong
“No more than two words AND/OR A NUMBER”
Hey Liz,
1. 1hr
2. 1st
3. 30mins
if i answer in this manner are they correct?
You must be an angel Liz
Hi Liz
First thank you very much for your valuable and useful lessons. It helped me a lot.
My question is:
In this practice, the instructions said that no more than two words and/or numbers
Your answer for question is About 1 hour
Can you elaborate how this goes with the instructions?
Thanks in advance
Two words and one number – no more than two words and/or a number. See the video on this page for the explanation if it is unclear: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening/
Hai Mam,
Is it possible to write “an hour” in the first question?
I am a beginner in IELTS. my exam is sheduled on july 7th.
Is it possible for achieving a band 7 with this limited time period?
thanks
Always write the words you hear – never paraphrase.
My result(s) – I have the same issue as Ann amongst all questions. Lesson is not to paraphrase and be mindful of the instruction(s).
Thanks Liz and more powers!
Hi Liz,
‘Hourly’… is that a possible answer to question 3?
Kindly help.
Regards n Best wishes.
Unfortunately, that isn’t a possible answer because that word was not used in the recording.
Dear Liz,
Thanks a lot for your help, not only for me but for thousands students, who are preparing themselves for the IELTS Exam and they are searching for materials. Specially for listening which represents a big difficulty and challenge for most of us.
We appreciate it a lot
Thanks for your message. I’m really pleased that my website and tips are helpful 🙂
thank to your lessons, I can improve my IELTS skills day by day.
It’s really an useful site. Thanks a million!
Thanx mam..its really helpful for me
Hi Liz,
Is it okay to write all the answers in capitals for listening section.
Yes.
Hi Liz,
a little bit confused on capital letters, is it wise if we write the answers in capital letters in listening test? I mean all answers in capital letter?
Yes, you can write all answers in capital letters if you want. It’s fine to do that.
Hi Liz,
Thank you for the videos and the recordings. I found it very helpful. You are a great teacher.
Dear Liz , I looove your videos , I found them very helpful and enjoyable …i have tried few times Toefl test but after I could not get the right score for the listening part and I have decided to try IELTS . I feel more comfortable with this type of test now and I enjoy studying more than before for Toefl. Do you give any tutoring sessions or Skype lessons , I would love to get in touch with you …thanks so much for everything you do , you are awesome …love your gorgeous smile by the way !
Justina Salma
I’m really pleased that you are benefiting from my blog 🙂 Unfortunately, I’m currently on holiday and I don’t offer private lessons but I do have advanced writing task 2 which are available: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore. Good luck in your studies!!
All the best
Liz
I fully agree with you, Jastina. It is really so helpful and so enjoyable to follow Liz’s blog!
Hi Ms. Liz
For the first question, I answered “an hour” instead of “1 hour”, will it be fine?
Thanks!
You should write only what you hear. I have altered it to make it clearer and more accurate. Well spotted.
All the best
Liz
In other listening tests I have been taking in your webpage, there has been answers that are not exactly the ones that I hear but taken out of logic. For example the one where I had to answer a girl`s nationality, I wrote Spain and the answer was “Spanish”, while what I heard was Spain. This confuses me..
As the word “Spain” is a country and not a nationality, it has to be changed. This is a rare exception to the rule.
Liz
Hi Liz Greetings of the day . My problem is in the speaking module , its not that i don’t understand anything or have no ideas. i have the problem of pauses in between ‘ kindly suggest me in which way i can get rid of my Hickup ? It would really hepl in smothing my flow.
Firstly, develop plenty of ideas so that you have them ready to give. Secondly, practice speaking outloud at home. You can’t prepare speaking on paper. So start answering questions on your own and record your answers. Thirdly, ask the examiner to repeat the question is you need time to think (you can do this a few times without it affecting your score). Lastly, use fillers “what I mean is” or “what I’m trying to say is”. But the most important way to fix this is through practice: https://ieltsliz.com/develop-your-ielts-speaking-for-free/
All the best
Liz
mam this is the best site because I’m working so its difficult to attend coaching classes but ur work is excellent because you touched the each and every sphere of weakness usually faced by students. Thanks for ur help. Thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Liz, i really appreciate your effort , this website is really useful to practice for the exam ,, i wish to get 6.5 and above in the IELTS exam and i am not sure ultimately about my skills in the listening and reading exam ,, BTW i am studying by myself (without taking any courses ) can u advice me plzz
And thankss
Work on writing a list of paraphrases which you have learned from all the listening and reading exercises. The more you know and the more you can spot, the better. Also develop techniques for each type of question for listening and reading. Also do practice tests to build speed and concentration.
All the best
Liz
Sorry to say this some of the audio clippings are not at all audible,for this reason I cud not able to hear properly.so am loosing the mark.can u do any necessary changes .thank u.
I’ll take a look and see what problem there is. Thanks for letting me know.
Liz
Hello mam
For the first question I have written “an hour “instead about hour will this be correct …????
It would be wrong because the time was not an exact time.
All the best
Liz
Thanq mam…n one more small doubt if I write just as recording says “about an hour ” will that be Wong too???
Your answer would be absolutely correct.
Liz