Core listening strategies - Predicting from question stems

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to predict possible answers in IELTS Listening tasks by analyzing question stems. You will identify clues in question wording, use context to anticipate vocabulary and information type, and check for common distracters. This will improve your speed and accuracy in all Listening sections.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to develop the skill of predicting answers from question stems to increase efficiency and accuracy. During revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• Recognize what the question stem reveals about the answer type (e.g., number, place, reason, date, noun, verb).
• Use wording in the question to predict possible answers before listening.
• Anticipate synonyms, tenses, or paraphrased information that may appear in the recording.
• Identify signals in the stem that warn of common distracters (e.g., changes of mind, corrections, qualifying language).
• Practice expecting the function or meaning of the answer, not just its form.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. If a question stem says "At what time does the meeting start?", what information should you listen for?
2. How can noticing the phrase "reasons for" in a question stem help you predict answer content?
3. True or false: Predicting the grammatical form of the answer (noun/verb/adjective) is useful in IELTS Listening.

Introduction

Predicting from question stems is a central strategy for IELTS Listening. It means looking at the questions before the recording begins and using them to anticipate what you will hear. By doing this, you can focus your listening, avoid distractions, and increase your chance of noting the correct answer, especially when the information is paraphrased.

Key Term: Question Stem
The main part of a Listening question that describes the type of information needed for the answer, often leading in blanks or options.

Key Term: Predicting
Using question wording, context, and grammar to anticipate the likely answer (what it is, what form it takes, or what vocabulary may be used).

How Predicting Helps in IELTS Listening

IELTS Listening recordings contain a wide range of accents, vocabulary, and information. You will often be presented with more information than is necessary for the answer, and some statements may be corrected or changed as the recording progresses. Predicting from question stems gives you an advantage by letting you:

• Listen actively for specific details, not everything.
• Recognize possible paraphrases and synonyms in the recording.
• Stay alert for distracters where the speakers change their answer or contradict themselves.

Reading the Stem: Spotting the Clues

Each IELTS Listening question stem gives important signals about the answer. Focus on the following:

• Type: Is the answer a number, person, object, location, reason, amount, or other?
• Grammar: Does the gap need a noun, verb, adjective, or other part of speech?
• Collocations: What words do you expect to go naturally with the stem?
• Paraphrasing Signals: Look for key words that will likely be restated differently in the recording.

Key Term: Distracter
An incorrect or misleading piece of information in an IELTS Listening recording, designed to test your attention and prediction skill.

Predicting Content and Vocabulary

Before the recording, run through all question stems and write (or think about):

• What information is required?
• What vocabulary might be used in the answer?
• Are there any answers that cannot fit here?
• Do you expect a number, a place, a reason, a date?

For example, if the stem says:

• "The tour will start at ____."
  Predict: time or place expression (e.g., "three o’clock," "the main entrance").

• "Visitors should bring their ____."
  Predict: noun, probably an item (e.g., "tickets," "passport," "sunscreen").

Notice the grammar of the stem and check that your anticipated answer matches it.

Predicting Paraphrase and Rephrasing

IELTS Listening rarely repeats the stem directly. Predicting how a speaker might say the information is essential:

• "Cost" might appear as "the price", "how much", "the fee".
• "Book in advance" could be "reserve beforehand" or "order before arrival".

Thinking of likely synonyms beforehand lets you recognize the right answer, even when the words are different.

Key Term: Synonym
A word or phrase meaning the same as another word; in IELTS Listening, synonyms are often used to paraphrase key ideas.

Watching for Common Distracters

Often, a speaker mentions some information but then corrects themselves, gives alternatives, or changes their mind. Exam questions often rely on these cues. Predict distracters by noticing when the stem:

• Is about a decision or choice ("Which bus does she decide to take?")
• Refers to changing information ("What is the final meeting location?")

Expect speakers to:

• Mention several options before confirming the right one.
• Make corrections ("No, actually, we'll start at the park, not the museum.")

Predicting with Table, Note, and Sentence Completion

Many IELTS Listening tasks require you to complete tables, notes, or sentences. Predict:

• The type of word or number (e.g., price/percentage/address).
• Whether an article ("a"/"the") or a plural is expected.
• If an adjective fits, what describing words are likely?

This prediction lets you check that an answer fits grammatically, ruling out wrong options.

Worked Example 1.1

A university is holding an orientation meeting for new students. Listen to an extract and answer the question:

Extract:
"Welcome, everyone. Our first session will start promptly at ten o'clock in the main lecture hall. Please bring your registration forms and student cards with you. If you have not collected your information pack, you can do so at the table near the entrance before the session begins."

Question:
Complete the sentence.
The first orientation session will begin at ____.

Answer:
ten o'clock
Explanation: The stem asks for a time. Predicting a phrase like "ten o'clock," "10 am," or "at ten" as the answer, you focus on the time reference in the recording and disregard information about place or materials.

Worked Example 1.2

A travel agent is helping a customer. Listen to the passage and answer the question:

Extract:
"Now, there are three available tours. The city museum tour is popular, but it is already fully booked for this week. The river cruise leaves daily at ten and two. The walking tour is by request only and needs at least four people."

Question:
Which tour is not available this week?

Answer:
The city museum tour
Explanation: The stem uses "not available," so predict you must listen for information about availability and negative statements ("fully booked," "unavailable"). Supporting details about times and numbers are distracters.

Worked Example 1.3

The question stem:
"People wishing to attend the workshop should contact ____."

Predict a noun (person's job or name). Listen for any mention of someone people should talk to or email. In the recording, listen for phrases like "Please email Mr Johnson," "registration is handled by the secretary," or similar clues.

If the recording says,
"All bookings should be made with the department secretary"
the answer is "the department secretary".

Answer:
the department secretary

Exam Warning

A common error is to write an answer that does not match the grammar of the stem (for example, placing a verb when a noun is needed, or using the wrong plural/singular form). Always check that your answer fits grammatically and in meaning.

Revision Tip

When practising Listening, use underlining or jotting down short notes to predict the information each question requires before audio starts. This habit trains you to listen actively and avoid being caught by distracters.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Explain how to use question stems to predict answers in IELTS Listening.
• Identify key signals in stems indicating answer type, grammar, and potential paraphrase.
• Recognize distracters in recordings and predict corrections or qualifying statements.
• Use prediction skills for table, note, and sentence completion tasks.
• Practice checking predicted vocabulary and grammar against the answer you write.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Question Stem
• Predicting
• Distracter
• Synonym