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Common IELTS Listening Spelling Words: Subjects, Days, Months

If you are a student who is preparing for IELTS, you already know how tough mastering the IELTS Listening Spelling test can be. What makes this much more important and tough is that this section carries almost 25% of the overall marks, which can have a great impact on your IELTS score. So, how can you master the art of IELTS listening vocabulary? For starters, you can learn about some of the most commonly used words and the most commonly misspelled ones. Read on to find them!

Check out some of the most Common IELTS Listening Spelling words with Gradding.com

Table of Contents

Introduction to IELTS Listening Spelling

For starters, the IELTS Listening test is not that different for both the General and Academic Training exams. But what is its purpose? This test evaluates your ability to understand spoken English, including key points, details, opinions, and overall messages in conversations or talks.

Now, what about IELTS Listening Spelling? In this section, you'll listen to four different recordings and answer a total of 40 questions, where accurate spelling plays a crucial role in securing a good score.

  • In the first recording, you'll respond to everyday conversations, such as booking a hotel or requesting information.
  • In the final two recordings, the focus shifts to training or educational topics, which may involve a group discussion or a lecture.

Another important thing to remember while listening spelling for IELTS is that you will only get to hear these recordings once. So, it is extremely important for you to stay focused during the whole 30-minute test.

Also, you will be given scores out of 40 but the final band score will be between 1 and 9, so make sure you do well improve your vocabulary, and avoid common mistakes.

P.S. - You will also get to hear some different accents because IELTS is an international exam.

Also ReadIELTS Listening Map Questions

Why Spelling Matters in IELTS Listening

So why do spellings for IELTS matter so much? It surely can't be that hard, considering all you have to do is to hear the answer and write it down. Well, it's not as easy as it might seem because if you make even a tiny spelling mistake in the IELTS Listening test, your overall marks can get hampered.

Below are a few more reasons why IELTS spelling practice is so important:

1. No Points for Incorrect Answers

IELTS has strict rules which are quite different from the ones most students are used to. So, if you spell any word incorrectly, you'll lose your points even if the meaning is correct.

2. Tricky Words

IELTS generally uses tricky words like "accommodation," "maintenance," "psychology," and others that most of us don't use in our day-to-day life. So it gets really important to master IELTS vocabulary to score better.

3. Different Accents

As mentioned above, IELTS is an international test, so you will hear different accents as well. These accents are generally British, Australian, and American, and one word can have different pronunciations, which can make you confused.

4. Multitasking Under Pressure

Additionally, during the whole test, you are doing multiple tasks simultaneously. You are listening to words, understanding them, and then writing them down. So, if you hesitate for even a small amount of time, you might end up missing the next part of the recording.

List of Common Words in IELTS Listening Test

As you already know, vocabulary makes up 25% of your overall IELTS Listening score, so you need to learn commonly used listening words for IELTS. The more familiar you get with these words, the easier it’ll be for you to score higher on your test.

The sooner you start IELTS spelling practice, the higher your chances of getting a Band 8 on your tests. Plus, learning words from different topics will make it easier to understand recordings in the test.

Below is a list of various listening words for IELTS, along with their correct spellings, so you can avoid these mistakes and score higher!

Practice for IELTS Listening test with authentic audio recordings in real test environment. Listening Test Access Listening Mock Test

Common IELTS listening Words for Days of the Week

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
weekdays
weekend

Common IELTS listening Words for Subjects:

ArcheologyPhilosophy
BiologyArchitecture
GeologyScience
LiteratureStatistics
Performing artsPolitics
PsychologyAgriculture

Common IELTS listening Words for Study:

AccommodationDeadline
AttendanceResources
CertificateGraduation
Curricular activitiesCourse work
DictionaryCommencement
ExperimentDepartment
Higher educationFaculty
IntermediatePlacement
LectureLaboratory
ScheduleBachelor
SpecializationFeedback
StationeryGuidelines
UniversitySupervisor

Common IELTS listening Words for Work:

AppointmentOpportunity
ClerkAccountant
DesignationOccupation
EmployeeOrganization
IndustrialProfession
PromotionReward
RecruitInterviewee
RetireReceptionist
Volunteerfacilities

Common IELTS Listening Words for Months of the Year

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Common IELTS listening Words for Studying at College/University

AdvancedIntroductionBackground
CompoundCampusInternational student
DiningPrimarySecondary
EraserHigher educationOverseas
Group discussionSeminarHandout
HomestaySpeechLaptop
LibraryStudy roomCanteen
PG (postgraduate)UG (undergraduate)Reunion
PhotocopyCourse outlineSyllabus
PrincipalStaffLecturers
Research paperReport writingExperience
TopicMain hallStudent advisor
UniversitySpeechGive a talk
VocabularyStudent support systemStudent retention
Written workBookNotes

Common IELTS Listening Words for Countries

AustraliaIrelandNetherlands
CanadaEgyptMexico
ChinaBrazilNew Zealand
GermanyMalaysiaPakistan
NorwaySwedenDubai
PortugalArgentinaEngland
RussiaThe United States of America(USA)
ScotlandNorth KoreaTurkey
SingaporePhilippinesDenmark
ZimbabweIndiaSouth Africa

Common IELTS listening Words for Job

AccountantGuard
ArchitectEngineer
DesignerOccupation
Flight attendantCashier
FreelanceSecretary
Mail addressReceptionist
Office assistantClerk
PilotLecturer
ProfessionDecorator
SpecialistManager
VacancyProfessor
VolunteerCraftsman
WaiterTeacher
WaitressPsychologist
Work experienceCurriculum vitae

Also ReadListening Practice Test Sample

Commonly Misspelled Words in IELTS Listening

Now that you know what are the common IELTS listening spelling words, it’s time for you to learn about some of the most commonly misspelled words. Also, know that most students make mistakes in labeling and note completion questions. So, to avoid that, we have curated a list of common mistakes in spelling of listening in IELTS based on different types.

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Single or double letters

It has commonly been found during tests that students get confused about whether the word has one letter or two. So, to make things easier, below are commonly used listening words for IELTS that can reduce your struggle:

AffordableCassetteAntenna
AttendanceAssessmentCommencement
AttendantAssistantCurriculum
BalloonNarrowPassenger
BasketballVolleyballJet-Skiing
BlackcurrantPizzaWaterfall
BusinessUnnecessaryTomorrow
CliffVillageHurricane
CommerceUmbrellaTraffic Jams
CopperRubberCotton
CurrentAccountClassroom
DifferentPepperMisspell
DiscussArrangeImmigrate
DissertationQuestionnairePepper
EmbarrassmentAccommodationAnnual
EmployeeAttractionImmense
FarewellWelfareSatellite
FulfillmentAttitudePassport
MammalsThe PhilippinesTerraced House
MillenniumMiddayAddress
OpportunityIlliteracySufficient
Paddle SteamerCottageSwimming Pool
ParallelSuccessPossess
PotteryCollectionBilliards
RecommendProcessApparel
ShoppingReferenceAssumption
SoccerBungee JumpingFootball

Homophones

Homophones are the listening words that sound the same, but their spellings are different! Here are some of the most common word pairs to watch out for:

Accept – exceptPeace – piecePlain – plane
Capital – capitolChoral – coralChili – chilly
Cite – site – sightDie -dyeCouncil – counsel
Discreet – discreteFlue – flew -fluDaft – daught
Genes – jeansMarshal – martialHole – whole
Loose – losePrinciple – principalAffect – effect
Sauce – sourceFor – four – foreSore – soar
Scene – seenSteal – steelStationary – stationery
Their – there – they’reBand – bannedHour – our
Weather – whetherYou’re – yourWhose – who’s

Silent letters

During the listening spelling task, some letters are silent. However, you still need to include them when writing!

AutumnColumn
BreezeGlue
CastleWhistle
CombLamb
ConsciousKnowledge
DangerousLuxurious
DroughtReliable
EnvironmentGovernment
EuropeCatastrophe
ExcitingPlumber.
ForeignCatalogue
InsuranceLane
KitchenColleague
KnowledgeableClimbing
MemorableConfidence
PalaceSculpture
PsychologistFortnight
RenewableSwitzerland
ScienceDiscipline
WednesdayJune

Tips for Mastering IELTS Listening Words

Above are some of the common IELTS listening practice test words that can help you score better marks, but what about some tips to make you much more efficient? Below are some of them:

1. Get Comfortable with Different Accents: The first of our IELTS listening tips is to get comfortable with different accents. Instead of sticking to just the BBC, you can try tuning into smaller regional radio stations or watching TV shows from various places.

2. Stay Focused: It is also normal to get distracted during your IELTS Listening test, so try to stay focused to get the Band of 7 or higher. You can improve your focus by practicing active listening.

3. Follow instructions closely: Second practice dictation words for IELTS and follow all the instructions closely. For example, if the question says "No more than three words," you need to stick to that.

4. Learn The Question Types: Knowing what kinds of IELTS listening spelling questions to expect can help you feel more confident on your test day.

5. Practice Listening Only Once: Lastly, practice listening only once. Since you get one chance to hear the recording, you should also avoid replaying the audio multiple times. Treat it like exam conditions and listen just once to get the hang of it.

Free ielts Study Material

Listening Practice Test

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Reading Practice Test

Reading Practice Test
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Exam Pattern

Exam Pattern
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Cue Cards

Cue Cards
Download download-pdf

IELTS Vocabulary

ELTS Vocabulary
Download download-pdf

Conclusion

Sometimes, listening to spelling can feel like a small task, but it can make a huge impact on the IELTS Listening test. You can either get the perfect 8-band score or risk it completely. A simple spelling mistake can cost you marks even if you understand the recordings perfectly.

If you want to improve your IELTS listening vocabulary and overall IELTS score, then Gradding.com can help. Our expert guidance, practice resources, and personalized tips make IELTS preparation easier and more effective.

FAQs

1. How to Improve Listening Spelling?

You can improve listening and spelling by practising and writing commonly used IELTS words and checking out dictation exercises.

2. Does IELTS Check Spelling?

Yes! In the IELTS Listening Test, Spelling is an important part and can cost you marks even if your answers are correct.

3. What Is the Common Spelling Mistake in IELTS Listening?

One of the most common mistakes most students make is using double letters (like accommodation), silent letters (like a receipt), and tricky words (like necessary or maintenance).

4. How to Avoid Spelling Mistakes in IELTS?

You can avoid spelling mistakes in IELTS by practising regularly learning common IELTS vocabulary and reviewing tricky words.

5. How Many Spelling Mistakes Are Allowed in IELTS Writing?

While there's no fixed number, too many spelling mistakes can lower your score under the "Lexical Resource" criteria. So you should try to minimize them to keep your score high!

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