Understand the Diagram

When you are given 30 seconds to read the diagram question in IELTS listening, you should go through the diagram properly along with the labelled words and blanks. Then understand the diagram well and visualize it as well if it is a 3D structured diagram. This would help you to get yourself aligned with the audio properly when you understand the diagram well. Without knowing what the diagram is about, you are likely to get confused with the audio.

Predict your Answers

Within 30 seconds, you can predict your answer as well and see whether the likely answer is to be a number or a word. If it is a word, you can also predict it grammatically if it is to be a noun, adjective, verb, adverb, singular, plural etc. This will be helpful in picking up the right word from the audio. You can notice some words in the language used by the speaker that can help you predict your answer grammatically. For example, words such as below, above, underneath, beside, over etc. can help you find your right answer. Heading of the diagram would also give you some hints about the topic of the conversation you are about to hear.

Follow the Order of Numbers

In the diagram question of IELTS listening test, you will see numbering with alphabets or numerals. While listening to the audio, you need to follow the numbering in the diagram. Since the audio conversation always follow the order of the question, it would become easy for you when you go with the order of question. For example, you should look at blank no. 1 and find its answer from the audio. Then look at blank no. 2 and in this way, you can follow the sequence. Hence, do not confuse yourself by looking at other blanks, just go with the order.

Be Careful About Word Instruction

While writing down answers, as it is applicable for all the IELTS listening questions, you should be very careful about word instruction written above the question such as “one word only”, “no more than two words and/or a number” or “no more than three words and/or a number”. Depending upon the instruction, you can choose your answer from the audio. Remember that meeting the word instruction is as important as selecting the word from audio conversation because if it does not meet word instruction, answer would be marked wrong.