IELTS Listening Matching Questions: How to Approach Them Step by Step

Which hotel matches each description? 

Match each speaker with the opinion they express. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the best way to approach IELTS Listening matching questions like these.

In this question type, you match items mentioned in the recording to the options on the question paper like in the example below:  

Source: Free IELTS Listening – practice sample questions | IDP IELTS 

Matching questions test your ability to follow conversations, listen for detailed information and identify how facts in the recording are related to each other. 

Let’s look at how you can approach this type of question, using the hotel example above. 

Step 1: Read the instructions carefully 

• Check how many questions you need to answer (e.g., questions 1-4). 

• Check how the matching works (e.g., you need to match each hotel with a description). 

Take care: Some IELTS Listening matching questions allow you to use each option in a list more than once. 

Step 2: Read the two lists 

• Quickly skim read both lists to see what kind of information you’ll be listening for (e.g., hotel descriptions and hotel names). 

•  The questions are always in order (e.g., first list - hotel descriptions). 

• The options may not be in order, so you need to listen carefully (e.g., second list - hotel names). 

Tip: Keep your eyes on the current question so you don’t get lost. 

Step 3: Highlight keywords  

• Circle or underline names, dates, places or keywords in both lists. (e.g., Question 1. is in a rural area) 

• Think of possible synonyms or paraphrases for these key words. (e.g., synonyms for rural area = the countryside, the country, rural region, agricultural area) 

Take care: The words that you hear that give you the correct answer may not be the same as the words in the question or options. 

Step 4: Wait to hear all the information you need 

• Wait to hear all the information you need before you decide on the correct answer. 

You might hear the exact word from one of the options, but this does not mean it is the right answer. Sometimes you’ll hear several options mentioned close together, so it’s important to focus carefully on what the speaker actually says.  

For example, question 4 asks you to select the hotel that has an indoor swimming pool. If you read the audio transcript below, you’ll see that the speaker gives swimming pool information for three different hotels but only mentions one that has an indoor pool.  

Step 5: Review your answers  

At the end, quickly check your matches: 

• Do they make logical sense? 

• Did you use an option too many times (depending on instructions)? 

Ready to try it for yourself? 

Practise these steps with our sample IELTS Listening questions.  

Think of IELTS Listening practice as training for your future. Whether it’s navigating a new city, joining a global company or taking part in a class discussion, strong listening skills will help you feel at home in an English-speaking environment.  

When you’re ready, so are we.