IELTS Academic · Listening · L4
IELTS Academic Listening Part 4 (Section 4): Academic Lecture
IELTS Listening Part 4 is a monologue on an academic subject, usually a lecture or talk, for example on the history of tea or urban climate. There is no break in the middle. You hear it once and answer 10 questions, most often by completing notes or a summary within a strict word limit.
- Questions
- 10 (questions 31–40 of 40)
- Speakers
- 1 speaker giving an academic lecture or talk
- Audio
- Played once only
- Common task types
- Note completion, summary completion, sometimes multiple choice
- After Part 4
- 2 minutes to check all 40 answers (computer-delivered test)
How it works
- 1The instruction screen gives the lecture topic and the word limit.
- 2You read the notes. Headings in the notes show how the lecture is organised.
- 3The lecture plays once, and you complete the notes as the speaker reaches each point.
- 4When the recording ends, you have 2 minutes to review your answers across all four parts.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer. Transcript excerpt: Lecturer: Why are city centres warmer than the surrounding countryside at night? Traffic plays a part, but the main reason is concrete, which absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly after dark. Trees help to some extent, though the larger gain in recent studies came from reflective roofing. Notes: Main cause of warmer nights: heat stored by ______
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Outline: concrete
Traffic is mentioned but described as a minor factor ('plays a part, but the main reason is'). The notes paraphrase 'absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly' as 'heat stored'. One word fits the limit.
Tips that work
- Use the note headings as a map of the lecture; when the speaker says 'moving on to', find the next heading.
- Expect the notes to paraphrase the lecture. Listen for meaning, not for the exact words printed.
- Most answers are nouns or noun phrases. Check whether each gap needs a singular or plural form.
- Use the 2-minute check for spelling, plurals and word limits across the whole test.
Common mistakes
- Writing a word that is heard near the gap but does not fit the grammar of the note.
- Falling behind after a missed answer and losing the next two as well.
Questions candidates ask
Does Part 4 have a pause in the middle?
No. Part 4 runs without a break, so you need to keep your place in the notes throughout. Reading all the notes before the recording starts helps you follow the structure.
Do I need to know about the lecture topic?
No. Topics come from academic fields such as science, history or psychology, but every answer is in the recording. Background knowledge can mislead you if you answer from memory instead of from what the lecturer says.
What happens in the 2-minute check time?
In the computer-delivered test, after Part 4 you get 2 minutes to look back over all your answers. Use it to fix spelling and word-limit problems; it is not long enough to reconsider many questions.
Other IELTS Academic Listening tasks
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