Listening practice - mistake log IELTS Practice Set 14 listening test 1

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IELTS Practice Set 14 listening test 1
Author
Affiliation

Hung

Barron’s Writing for IELTS

Published

July 21, 2025

1 Cambridge IELTS 14 - listening test 1

  • Date: 21/07/2025
  • Total Score: 35/40

2 Performance Summary

Category ✅ Correct ❌ Wrong 🚫 Skipped 🎯 Accuracy
[Listening] Multiple Choice 7 2 0 77.78%
[Listening Theme] Orientation Course 8 2 0 80.00%
[Listening Theme] Tutorial Presentations 9 1 0 90.00%
[Listening Theme] Reporting a Problem 9 1 0 90.00%
[Topic] Science & Technology 9 1 0 90.00%
[Listening] Matching 10 1 0 90.91%
[Listening] Note/Form Completion 18 2 0 90.00%

3 Recording 1

Question My answer Corrected ISSUE
9 BLONE BLOND(E) Spelling mistake / Mishearing

Likely a phonetic error — I heard the pronunciation correctly but guessed the wrong spelling.

  • “Blond(e)” refers to hair color and is commonly used in listening tasks that describe people’s appearance.

  • BLOND = traditionally used for males

  • BLONDE = traditionally used for females

  • In IELTS, both are accepted, so it’s often written as “BLOND(E)”.

4 Recording 2

Question My answer Corrected ISSUE
11 E enjoy new challenges E - enjoy new challenges ❌ Misinterpretation – The speaker mentions challenges but doesn’t advise “enjoying” them. No advice to enjoy anything was given.
12 A get to know colleagues A - ✅ Correct – The speaker explicitly says to talk to people and make new friends.
17 B - There are some restrictions C - it is against the rule

I miss the word: ‘check with someone …’

4.0.1 Correct Option A: get to know colleagues

“make an effort to talk to as many people as possible about their work – you’ll make some new friends and find out lots of useful information.”

That clearly advises you to talk to people and make friends → This is getting to know colleagues.

4.0.2 ✅ Correct Option C: ask lots of questions

“check with someone if you’re not sure what to do – your supervisor is approachable and won’t mind explaining things”

That is clear advice to ask questions if unsure. So, C is correct.

4.0.3 ❌ Why Option E (enjoy new challenges) is wrong

You chose:

E: enjoy new challenges

This sounds like good advice, but it wasn’t actually said.

Here’s the relevant part:

“Most of you have very little or no experience… and the first week may be quite challenging…”

She acknowledges that it may be challenging — but she never says “Enjoy it!” or “embrace challenges.” She actually says:

“Don’t worry too much… check with someone…”

So she’s saying the first week may be hard, but she’s not giving the advice to enjoy the challenge. So E is an interpretation, not actual advice. - Only choose answers that are directly supported by the exact wording in the audio.

  • Do not infer advice unless the speaker clearly gives it as advice.

  • Watch out for choices that are logically good but not actually said.

Q17: Booking Holidays

“… we ask that you don’t book any holidays until after your six-month apprenticeship has finished. Time off should only be taken if you are unwell.”

4.0.4 ✅ Correct Answer: C – It is against the rules

Why?

  • The manager clearly asks apprentices NOT to book any holidays during the six-month apprenticeship.

  • The only exception is sick leave.

  • This isn’t just a “restriction” — it’s a firm rule for everyone during that time.

4.0.5 ❌ Why your answer B (There are some restrictions) is incorrect:

  • “Restrictions” would imply some flexibility — that holidays are allowed but with limits.

  • But in this case, they are not allowed at all, unless you’re sick.

4.0.6 🔁 Re-examining the line:

“…we ask that you don’t book any holidays until after your six-month apprenticeship has finished. Time off should only be taken if you are unwell.”

4.0.7 🔍 Your logic:

Since holidays are possible after 6 months, that feels like a restriction, not a full ban. So maybe it’s B?

Totally understandable — but here’s the key in IELTS logic:

4.0.8 ❗ In IELTS, questions refer only to the time period given — in this case:

“Company policy for apprentices”

So, the phrase “Booking holidays” in this question is specifically asking about during the apprenticeship (i.e., the 6 months).

4.0.9 So the manager’s meaning is:

❌ No holidays are allowed at all during your apprenticeship.
✅ Only if you are unwell can you take time off.

That’s a ban during the apprenticeship — not a restriction, but a prohibition. Therefore:

4.0.10 ✅ Correct = C (It is against the rules)

Because:

  • Booking holidays during the apprenticeship = not allowed.

  • After the apprenticeship = irrelevant to the question.

4.0.11 🔑 IELTS Tip:

Always consider:

“Does the question refer to now, or after a period?”
If the policy is temporarily prohibited, that’s still “against the rules” for the period in question.

5 Recording 3

5.0.1 ✅ Correct Answer: A. may bring pollution to the cities

5.0.2 ❌ Your Answer: B. may reduce the land available for agriculture

5.0.3 📌 Let’s break it down:

🔈 What Rob actually says:

“Agriculture and industry tend to spread further inland along the rivers… and so agriculture moves even further inland… more and more pollutants are discharged into the rivers.”

“So these are brought downstream to the cities?”

🔍 What does this mean?

  • As agriculture and industry expand, they pollute the river.

  • That pollution flows downstream (with the river) to the coastal cities.

  • 💡 That’s pollution reaching cities, not a lack of agricultural land.

5.0.4 ❗ Why is B wrong?

You chose:

B. may reduce the land available for agriculture

But:

  • Rob never says that land for agriculture is reduced.

  • He says agriculture is spreading further — not less, but more.

  • The problem is pollution, not land use.

5.0.5 🧠 IELTS Listening Tip:

Always ask: “What is the problem?”

  • If the speaker says “a problem”, that’s a clue.

  • In this case: “pollutants are discharged into rivers → brought to cities”.

5.0.6 🗣 Practice Paraphrasing:

Try paraphrasing the key point yourself:

“Pollution from inland farming and industry flows down rivers into coastal cities.”

That’s what Answer A says!

6 Recording 4

6.0.1 🔎 Let’s examine your answer:

  • Your answer: gate

  • Correct answer: gates

I don’t hear clearly gate or gates, but I miss the word ‘are’, so it’s the mistake.

6.0.2 📍 What did the speaker say?

“Gates in the breakwater are opened.”

This is clearly plural — they said “gates”, not just “a gate.”

6.0.3 🧠 Why it matters:

In IELTS Listening:

  • If the word is plural in the recording, and you write the singular form, it’s marked wrong.

  • Even one letter like “s” matters!

6.0.4 ✅ How to avoid this mistake:

  1. Listen carefully for plural endings like “s”, “z”, “es”, “en” (e.g. children).

  2. Look for clues in the sentence:

    • “Gates are opened” → plural verb = plural subject.

6.0.5 🔁 Quick Grammar Check:

  • ❌ Gate are opened → wrong

  • ✅ Gates are opened → correct ✅

6.0.6 💡 IELTS Tip:

When checking your answers before transferring, always:

  • Go back and check singular/plural

  • Re-listen if possible and confirm articles like a/an or some, which hint at number

Type Question Wrong Answer Correct Answer Why You Missed It Vocabulary/Structure

7 Vocabulary and phrases list

7.1 Recording 1

Useful Vocabulary Synonyms or Natural Alternatives
Theft Robbery, stealing, burglary
Report a theft File a report, make a report
Quite a bit of cash A large amount of money, considerable money
Realised I’d been robbed Discovered I was a victim of theft
Group of young boys A bunch of kids, several boys
Asking the time Pretending to need the time, distraction tactic
Didn’t take the keys Thankfully, the keys were still there
A week old phone Recently purchased phone
💬 Common IELTS Expressions 💡 Function / Usage
“I’m here for two months.” Stating duration
“I come over most summers on business.” Habitual action (present simple for repeated past)
“I’ve had a really good trip this year.” Present perfect for life experience
“I had my backpack on.” Past simple for sequence of actions
“At first I thought…” Describing sequence of realization
“That’s when I realized…” Transition marker for realization
“Fortunately, I don’t keep my credit cards…” Linking word to express relief
“Anyway…” Transitioning between ideas
“Can you remember anything about them?” Common question structure

7.2 Recording 2

7.2.1 Workplace & Apprenticeship

  • apprenticeship

  • human resources manager

  • supervisor / mentor

  • departments

  • company policy

  • probationary period

  • statutory public holidays

  • overtime

  • personal circumstances

  • eligible for flexible working

  • “take in new information”

  • “don’t worry too much”

  • “make the most of that opportunity”

  • “make an effort to talk to…”

  • “helping you to identify areas for improvement”

  • “meet with them on a weekly basis”

  • “you’re here to learn”

  • “run through a few company policies”

7.2.2 Everyday English for Office Communication

  • “don’t use it for personal use”

  • “speak to your supervisor”

  • “don’t assume you’ll automatically be permitted”

  • “we understand that people do have commitments”

  • “as long as they’re practical”

7.2.3 PART 1/2 – Possible Questions to Practice

Q: Describe a company or organisation you know.

  • Use vocabulary: “departments,” “supervisor,” “casual clothes policy,” “overtime”

Q: Describe a rule in your school or workplace you agree or disagree with.

  • Use: “don’t use the internet for personal use,” “no packed lunch policy,” “overtime is not required but recommended”

Q: Describe a mentor or a person who guided you.

  • “My mentor supported me weekly and helped me set goals and identify areas for improvement…” ### Grammar Structures
Grammar / Function Example from Script
Imperatives (for advice/instruction) “Check with someone”, “Talk to people”, “Don’t use it for personal use”
Future Simple (policy, plans) “You’ll be expected to work a 40-hour week.”
Conditional “If you’re not sure what to do…” / “If this is a problem…”
Modals for advice/possibility “You should make the most of the opportunity.” / “You can also discuss…”
Relative clauses “…someone who’s recently completed an apprenticeship.”

7.3 Recording 3

7.3.1 Urban Planning & Geography

  • urban planning

  • coastal cities

  • river estuary

  • wetlands

  • coastal erosion

  • inland

  • downstream

  • sea level

  • drainage channels

  • ecosystem

  • flood prevention

  • global warming

  • waste disposal

  • international cooperation

7.3.2 Speaking/Presentation Vocabulary

  • “presentation structure”

  • “general historical background”

  • “case study”

  • “geographical factors”

  • “maps of different cities”

  • “slides everyone can see”

  • “audience involvement”

  • “past mistakes”

  • “current action”

  • “future risks”

  • “international implications”

7.3.3 Useful Academic Verbs

  • establish (e.g. why coastal cities were established)

  • expand (e.g. as the city expands)

  • discharge (e.g. pollutants are discharged)

  • protect against (e.g. protect against flooding)

  • replace (e.g. replace the drainage channels)

  • deal with (e.g. deal with the problems)

  • act together

  • abide by (e.g. abide by environmental principles)

7.3.4 Collocations / Natural Phrases

Phrase Context
“talk about the structure of your presentation” IELTS Speaking Part 3
“get stuck in anyway” Informal, shows determination (Reading)
“sounds sensible” Reacting to an idea (Speaking Part 3)
“they built the drainage channels too close to sea level” Cause & effect – useful in Task 1 & 2
“protect against flooding” Common environmental collocation
“work together to some extent” Useful for balanced argument writing
“a long time before countries come to a decision” For Task 2 disagreement or delay topics

7.3.5 Grammar & Structure

Structure Example
Passive voice “were actually built by the sea”; “channels were built”
Conditional (Type 2) “If there’s a lot of rain, the water can’t run away”
Modals “They should be able to work together”; “We could ask people”
Cause and effect “It means more pollutants are discharged”
Contrast “That won’t help with flood prevention now, will it?”
Cleft structure “What they didn’t take into account was global warming”

7.3.6 IELTS SPEAKING IDEAS

PART 2: Describe a City You Know

Use:

  • “It’s a coastal city built where a river meets the sea.”

  • “It has drainage channels, but due to rising sea levels, flooding is now a real concern.”

PART 3: Environment & Urban Development

Q: What are the biggest challenges cities face today?
→ “One major issue coastal cities face is climate-related flooding. Many were built near sea level, and older infrastructure like drainage channels are now ineffective.”

Q: Should countries work together to tackle environmental issues?
→ “Absolutely. Cities can’t deal with these problems in isolation — international collaboration is key.”

7.3.7 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONNECTIONS

Example Prompt:

Some people believe that governments should spend money on protecting cities from climate change. Others think they should focus on economic development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Use points from the transcript:

  • Coastal cities suffer from drainage/flooding issues.

  • Long-term solutions require international cooperation.

  • Balancing infrastructure upgrades vs. investment in economy ## Recording 4

7.3.8 Topic specific

Word/Phrase Meaning / Use
renewable sources sustainable energy like sun, wind, water
harness the movement use or control energy
generate electricity produce power
erratic irregular or unpredictable
sediment small particles like sand or soil
environmental problems issues harming nature
tidal lagoon man-made area to control tides for energy
breakwater structure to protect shore or lagoon
greenhouse gas emissions pollution causing climate change
relatively cheap low in cost compared to others
boost to the local economy increase jobs and growth in the area
migration patterns natural movement of birds/fish
build-up of silt accumulation of sediment in water
ecosystems interdependent life systems in nature

7.3.9 Academic Verbs

  • derive energy from…

  • construct a lagoon

  • activate turbines

  • create components

  • disturb migration patterns

  • affect ecosystems

  • estimate job creation

7.3.10 IELTS WRITING & SPEAKING STRUCTURES

🔸 Cause & Effect

  • “Burning fossil fuels damages the environment and they’ll eventually run out.”

  • “This leads to environmental problems.”

  • “Rising tides mean the lagoon produces electricity multiple times a day.”

🔸 Contrast / Comparison

  • “Unlike solar and wind energy, tidal energy doesn’t depend on the weather.”

  • “The source is constant, but the waves are erratic.”

🔸 Data / Facts (great for Task 1 and Speaking Part 3)

  • “Two high tides a day → electricity generated 4 times daily”

  • “Enough for over 150,000 homes”

  • “More than 2,000 jobs created”

7.3.11 IELTS LISTENING SKILLS IMPROVED

Skill Example
Understanding technical terms breakwater, hydro turbines, lagoon
Following complex descriptions step-by-step process of water movement in tidal lagoon
Recognizing paraphrasing “cause environmental problems” = “disturb migration”, “build-up of silt”
Spotting numbers & figures “5 meters”, “14 hours per day”, “2,000 jobs”, “150,000 homes”

7.4 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 (Possible Use)

Question Example:

Some people believe that alternative energy sources should replace fossil fuels completely. To what extent do you agree?

Use in Argument:

  • “Marine renewable energy like wave and tidal energy is constant and reliable.”

  • “Unlike fossil fuels, they produce no greenhouse gases.”

  • “Although some may disturb wildlife, careful planning can minimize harm.”

8 Speaking

9 Writing

9.1 🎧 Effective Listening Practice Process (Full-Skill Integration)

9.1.1 ✅ 1. Take 2 Listening Tests per Week (Full 40 Questions)

  • Simulate real exam conditions (headphones, timing).

  • Use Cambridge IELTS books 10–18 for authentic practice.

  • After finishing, log your mistakes, and do a deep error analysis.

9.1.2 📝 2. Error Log Analysis System

For every mistake (even close ones), record:

Type Question Wrong Answer Correct Answer Why You Missed It Vocabulary/Structure

This helps improve:

  • Vocabulary

  • Grammar

  • Distractor recognition (very important)

  • Paraphrasing skills for Reading and Writing

9.2 🔄 3. Shadowing & Dictation (Listening → Speaking & Writing)

Do this with 1 test per week (after checking answers).

9.2.1 Step-by-step:

  1. Dictation – write down the full recording transcript for 1 section.

  2. Underline synonyms/paraphrased phrases.

  3. Shadow (repeat aloud with same intonation and rhythm).

  4. Summarize the section in your own words.

  5. Record yourself and evaluate fluency & coherence (like Speaking Part 3).

✅ This improves:

  • Listening accuracy

  • Speaking fluency

  • Lexical resource & complex sentence structure (Writing & Speaking)

9.3 📚 4. Create Vocabulary Banks from Listening

Each test contains academic + conversational vocabulary. Create a table:

Word/Phrase Meaning Example from Listening My Own Sentence
Subsidised Supported financially “A heavily subsidised canteen” My workplace provides subsidised meals.

✅ Apply these to Writing & Speaking tasks.

9.4 💬 5. Write & Speak from Listening Topics

Take themes from Listening (e.g. environment, education, employment):

  • Write a Task 2 essay on a related question.

  • Practice a Speaking Part 2 & 3 answer on the same topic.

This builds content cohesion between skills, which is how top scorers learn faster.