IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 — Full Test with Answers and Explanations

Part 1 — Hillcrest Allotments

A woman phones an allotment association to ask about renting a plot.

Questions 1–5
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Questions 6–10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Part 2 — Riverside Repair Café

The founder of a repair café talks about how it works on a local podcast.

Questions 11 and 12
Choose TWO letters, A–E.

11–12. Which TWO reasons does Helen give for starting the repair café?

1. A to raise money for a local charity
2. B to cut down on waste
3. C to make use of an empty building
4. D to give retired engineers something to do
5. E to teach people how to mend things themselves

Questions 13 and 14
Choose TWO letters, A–E.

13–14. Which TWO things must visitors do?

1. A book a time in advance
2. B complete a form
3. C remain present while their item is repaired
4. D clean their item before bringing it
5. E bring any spare parts that are needed

Questions 15–20
What does Helen say about each type of repair?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 15–20.

Types of repair

1. A is the most in demand
2. B is only offered at certain sessions
3. C was started after requests from visitors
4. D takes longer than people expect
5. E is no longer available
6. F is only done by someone with training
7. G is often not worth doing
8. H attracts mainly young people

1. 15. clothes ________
2. 16. electrical items ________
3. 17. furniture ________
4. 18. toys ________
5. 19. jewellery ________
6. 20. knives and scissors ________

Part 3 — Food waste in the canteen

Two business students, Ella and Nathan, discuss their project on food waste in their university canteen.

Questions 21–25
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

21. What did both students find surprising about the survey results?

1. A which meal produced the least waste
2. B the type of food most often left uneaten
3. C how many students claimed they rarely waste food

22. Why did the catering manager agree to help with the project?

1. A She hoped it would reduce her costs.
2. B She had been instructed to by the university.
3. C She had done something similar in an earlier job.

23. What problem did the students have when photographing plates?

1. A Some students would not allow it.
2. B The photos did not show the waste clearly.
3. C It took longer than they had planned.

24. What does Nathan think is the main cause of the waste?

1. A The portions are too large.
2. B The food is not very tasty.
3. C The meals are too cheap.

25. What do the students decide to include in their presentation?

1. A a short video of the waste being measured
2. B a comparison with another university
3. C a talk by the catering manager

Questions 26–30
What do the students decide about each idea for reducing waste?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–G, next to Questions 26–30.

Ideas for reducing waste

1. A test it for a limited period
2. B reject it
3. C ask the students' union about it
4. D let the manager decide about it
5. E include it as a future target
6. F suggest it to other universities
7. G check some details before making a decision

1. 26. using smaller plates ________
2. 27. removing trays ________
3. 28. charging by weight ________
4. 29. a fridge for sharing food ________
5. 30. showing portion sizes on the menu ________

Part 4 — Seed banks

Part of a lecture about seed banks: why they are needed, how seeds are preserved, and the seeds that cannot be stored in the usual way.

Questions 31–40
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.