IELTS Listening Test: The Role of Grammar (Part 1: Parts of Speech)

Although grammar is not directly tested in IELTS Listening, it affects the accuracy of your answers. Improving your grammar can help you avoid common mistakes and improve your overall performance in the Listening section.

An excellent first step is knowing what part of speech (verb, noun, adverb, adjective etc.) is required in an answer in the IELTS Listening Test. This is particularly important for completion-type questions where the answer must be in the correct form e.g. success (noun) or succeed (verb) or successful (adjective) to gain that all-important mark.

Understanding how words fit grammatically into a sentence helps you not only predict accurate answers, but also identify when and if an answer works. It helps you focus, develops your understanding, improves time management, and contributes to a better performance in the test. You are now off to a great start!

How do I know which part of speech to use?

Pay attention to the gaps in the sentence and the context around them. The sentence structure will give you a clue on what part of speech is needed.

For example: “The weather was ____.”

Here, you’re likely looking for an adjective as the gap is after the verb 'was'. (e.g. “sunny”).

A Quiz

Have a look at some more examples and think about what part of speech is needed in the gap. And think about why!

A) noun

B) verb  

C) adjective

1.       The new ____ will be located in the city centre.

2.       The new policy is aimed at making the workplace more ____ for employees.

3.       The manager will ____ the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

4.       The ____ is expected to improve the economy significantly.

5.       Maple syrup is very _____ compared to refined sugar.

ANSWER KEY: 1. Noun, 2. Adjective, 3. Verb, 4. Noun, 5. Adjective 

Let’s see why:

1.       In English grammar, articles typically come before nouns. In this sentence, the article “the” provides a clue that the missing word should be a specific, identifiable noun. “New” is an adjective modifying the noun.

2.       This sentence is missing an adjective because it needs to describe the noun “workplace”. The comparative “more ____” also shows that an adjective is necessary to specify the degree of improvement.

3.       This sentence requires a verb to complete the action of the manager. The verb provides the action and specifies what the manager will do, such as "start," "schedule," or "lead." The word “will” is a clue because it signals the need for a verb to describe the future action.

4.       The sentence requires a noun to serve as the subject of the sentence. The article “the” is a clue as it indicates that a specific, identifiable noun is needed.

5.       The word ‘very" is a clue in this sentence. It indicates that an adjective is needed to complete the comparison by describing the degree of the quality being compared.

Ready for more practice?

Have a look at these questions and decide what part of speech is needed in each gap: a noun, a verb, an adjective or perhaps a number.

Questions 31 – 40

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

The impact of digital technology on the Icelandic language

The Icelandic language

● has approximately 31 …………………… speakers

● has a 32 …………………… that is still growing 

● has its own words for computer-based concepts, such as web browser and 33 ……………………

Young speakers

● are big users of digital technology, such as 34 ……………………

● are becoming 35 …………………… very quickly

● are having discussions using only English while they are in the 36 …………………… at school

● are better able to identify the content of a 37 …………………… in English than Icelandic

Sample questions taken from IELTS 17 Academic Student's Book with Answers with Audio with Resource Bank

Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022

Page 36 (Test 2, Part 4)

Find out more

Now compare your answers to the answer key at the end of the blog. How did you do?

Well done!

Investing time in improving your grammar will pay off not just in the Listening section but across all parts of the IELTS test. Make grammar practice a key part of your preparation strategy.

Happy studying and good luck with your IELTS preparation!

If you're looking for more personalised and effective preparation, join our free Team IELTS Lessons on the 10th of every month. Our experienced trainers provide tailored guidance and proven strategies to help you master each section of the IELTS. Sign up today and start your journey to IELTS success!

Did you find this blog useful? Sign up and add a comment.

ANSWER KEY

31. number

32. noun

33. noun

34. noun

35. adjective

36. noun

37. noun