Language and Indirect Speech (Listening)

The following talk by psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker is quite similar to IELTS Listening Section 4.(This lecture does contain references to sex and dating, which are not likely to appear on the IELTS exam!)

The specific topic of the lecture is indirect language. He explains why people often avoid making commands or asking directly for something. It is partly due to politeness, but also due to the speaker's wish to avoid embarrassment and awkwardness.

Watching this video may help you to understand English-speakers better!

Before listening, look at the vocabulary words below. If necessary use an English to English Dictionary to find their meanings.


hostage        proffer        bribe       euphemism        infer

veiled         threat         literal     metaphorical     ethos

ubiquity       dominance      altruism    anomalous        cheeky

awkwardness    reciprocity    naive       innuendo    deniability


Now read the fill-in-the-blank questions below the video and look for key words. Make a guess about what word might logically complete each sentence. Then listen as many times as necessary to complete the exercise. Some words will appear within the video, so you'll have an advantage if you're a quick reader. It's ok if you don't understand everything! 

Complete the sentences below with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

1. Language is a ______________ into social relations.

2. A kidnapper has a hostage tied up in the back seat of a car and, inconveniently, is ______________ by the police because he's missing ______________.

3. So the puzzle is why are bribes, ______________, seductions,solicitations and threats so often veiled when both parties presumably know _________________ they mean?

4. Behaviour that is acceptable in one ________________ type can be anomalous in another.

5. You wouldn't go up to your boss and ________________ to a prawn off his plate because what you can get away with in a communality relationship you can't get away with in a ________________ relationship.

6. One remaining ________________, which is why we resort to indirectness even when there is no ________________.

7. What is the psychological status of an overture that ________________ to be out there or on the record that makes it feel so much more ________________ than a veiled overture that is conveyed indirectly?

8. When a little boy said the emperor is ________________ he was not telling anyone anything that they did not already know and even if they could not see with their ________________.

9. Once again, that gave them the collective power to _______________ the dominance of the emperor through their  _______________. 

10. The moral of the story is that explicit language is an ________________ of creating mutual knowledge.

To read a transcript of the talk, and to check your answers, CLICK HERE.

How To End Poverty (Task 2 Writing) (Listening)

One issue that is closely connected with globalization in the modern world is the issue of poverty. This blog has previously drawn attention to the issues raised by this Task 2 Writing question:

Although developing countries receive a great deal of financial aid from elsewhere in the world, they continue to have issues with poverty. Do you think that developed countries should give more help or a different kind of help? Or do you think that developing countries must find their own solutions to poverty?

To properly address this question, we need to examine several issues.

First of all, why do developed countries give financial aid to poor countries and why hasn't this aid led to significant reductions in poverty?

Secondly, what kind of help should rich countries give to poor countries instead of money?

Finally, how can poor people living in developing nations find their own solutions to poverty? Should rich countries simply ignore the problems of poverty overseas?

Many of these questions are answered in the following 20 minute talk. It gives information about a program that was used to help individuals donate money to poor families in Kenya, and the results of this program. Look up the following vocabulary words and read the questions for key words. Then, listen to the talk and answer the questions below.


Reluctant       Labourer       Misuse       Drunkard       

Dowry       Thatched Roof      Eligible     Heifer

Exotic       Macroeconomics    Charity      Anecdote

Geeks         Evidence       Intervention   From Scratch (idiom)

Click Here To Listen

1. Why were aid organisations reluctant to give cash to poor people? (Several reasons are given.) 

2. Why were people initially unwilling to accept cash?

3. What are some challenges related to giving money to poor people? How did mobile phones help to alleviate some of these problems?

4. What is the meaning of the quote, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

5. When people were given $1000, what did they generally buy with the money?

6. Did most people use the money well or waste it?

7. What were some of the disadvantages experienced by people who received money? What about the people who did not receive money?

8. How does "Give Directly" decide who they give money to?

9. Compare the methods used by "Give Directly" to those used by "Heifer International."

10. Which giving method do you think is better, based on the information in this programme?

If you're interested in learning more about Heifer International, Click Here:

Heifer International Website

Globalization and Economic Growth (Listening)

One topic that is certain to show up somewhere on your IELTS exam is the issue of globalization. You may find it in the reading section, in a listening lecture, or as a Task 2 Writing assignment such as the following common topics:

While globalization has made it possible for us to buy a wide variety of international products, many people believe that it’s preferable to buy local products, rather than those from international companies, in order to support the local economy. Please discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this issue, and present your own opinion.

Although developing countries receive a great deal of financial aid from elsewhere in the world, they continue to have issues with poverty. Do you think that developed countries should give more help or a different kind of help? Or do you think that developing countries must find their own solutions to poverty?

Some have argued that the term globalization should actually be called “Americanization” because it largely consists of United States culture and products being dominant all over the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Differences between countries are becoming less and less evident with each passing year. Nowadays, everyone in the world has the same fashions, eating habits, and media. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Do you think the changes associated with globalization are largely positive or largely negative?

You will need to have appropriate ideas and vocabulary in order to understand and discuss these topics. 

In the following video, speaker Alex Tabarrok speaks mostly about the advantages and benefits of a globalized economy. It's useful to pay attention to the manner in which he presents his arguments and gives examples to support them. If you need specific help on how to structure an essay about globalization, or would like to see some sample essays on these topics, please see the previous blog post:

Essay Structure Globalization Topic

Before watching the video, look up the vocabulary words below and preview the gap fill sentences. Remember, it's a good strategy for IELTS listening to guess the word form that will go in the blank. Will the gap be filled by a noun, a verb, or an adjective? Make your guess before you hear the talk, then watch the video to fill the gaps.

Part 1: Fill in the blanks to complete the sentences from the talk. Use these vocabulary words and double check to ensure that the grammar of each sentence is correct. 

Disaster       Cataclysm       Tragedy       Poverty       Resistant       Demand

Embrace       Burden       Cooperation       Incentives       Tripled       Abyss

1. The first part of the 20^th century was an absolute _________________ in human affairs, a _________________.

2. It was only in the second half of the 20^th century that we slowly began to pull ourselves out of this _________________.

3. We globalised the world. What does that mean? We extended _________________ across national boundaries.

4. Never before in human history have so many people been raised out of such great _________________ as happened in China.

5. Over the next 18 years, incomes in India have _________________.

6. Sub Saharan Africa has been the area of the world most _________________ to growth.

7. The _________________ are much larger to produce drugs which treat more people.

8. It is fortunate that we are becoming less of an idea leader because for too long, the United States and a handful of other developed countries have shouldered the entire _________________ of research and development.

9. We should not fear other countries becoming wealthy, that is something that we should _________________.

10. Globalization is increasing the _________________ for new ideas.

Part 2: Discussion Questions

Is Alex Tabarrok generally optimistic or pessimistic about the future of globalization?

What is the meaning of the Thomas Jefferson quote: “He who lights his candle at mine receives light without darkening me.” ?

Explain why it is better to have a common disease than to have a rare disease, from the standpoint of receiving treatment.

According to Alex, how will economic growth in Africa affect the world market? Give an example.

Does Alex think that we should be worried about future Depressions? Do you agree with him?

Why does he ask the question “Is China drinking our milkshake?” What does that question refer to?

What does Alex Tabarrok recommend that America do regarding globalization?

Do you believe that Alex Tabarrok’s views about the future are correct? Do you see any problems with his argument?

Five Historical Robots (Listening)

IELTS Listening Part 4 often contains detailed lectures on a wide range of topics. These tend to be on topics such as the environment, technology, business, and history.

Below you will find a radio programme which incorporates two of these topics - it provides a short history of robotics.

Here are a few vocabulary words and idioms you might need:

automaton      mind-blowing      insight     anatomy

mechanism      discharge         revolutionise     

conceal        elite             clockwork

The recording is approximately 21 minutes long. There is no reason to listen past minute 22:00.

CLICK HERE 

and press play to hear the listening.

In which country and in which century was the first robot reportedly built?

Which well-known artist created a mechanical lion?

What kind of animal did Jacques de Vaucanson build? What kinds of things could this animal do?

What other robotic creations did Vaucanson build?

Why was the robot called "The Writer" built by Jaquet-droz a significant development in robotic technology?

What every day fashionable item did Jaquet-droz become famous for?

The Philosophy of Happiness (Task 2 Writing)

The following Task 2 Writing question came up on a recent IELTS exam:

Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define?

What factors are important in achieving happiness?

In the following video, you will find some interesting information that could help you to better understand this topic. It's also a great opportunity to practice your listening! 

(Additionally, a sample essay for this topic is included below.)

1.Who was Epicurus? 

2. Why are people drawn to material things? What is the effect of accumulating a lot of possessions?

3. Is Steven Perry a happy person? How do you know?

4. What are the three things that we truly need for happiness according to Epicurus?

5. How do advertisers appeal to our needs when selling us products?

6. Do you agree with Epicurus' requirements for happiness?

Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define?

What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Happiness is an elusive concept, which can be as difficult to define as it is to achieve. This is largely due to the fact that happiness has a variety of meanings which depend on a person’s culture, ambitions, and stage of life. Even so, the desire to be happy is a universal one, and there are some basic necessities that underpin our long-term happiness. I will discuss these ideas in the following essay.

What provides contentment in life can vary from person to person. An ambitious individual may find happiness in working hard and achieving goals, while a more laid back person may prefer to relax and spend time smelling the roses. Young people tend to need adventure and stimulation to be happy, while older people feel content when they have stability. It is up to each individual person to decide for him or herself what happiness means, and to spend time nurturing this need.

These considerations aside, it is clear that certain requirements are necessary for a happy life. Obviously, it is important that basic needs such as health and safety are met. People cannot spend time improving their emotional state if they lack food or shelter, or if they live in fear. Secondly, it’s essential that we surround ourselves with family and friends who care about us. These people act as a support group which can guide us through difficulties and share in our moments of joy. Lastly, we should pursue satisfaction in contributing to society in some way, either by helping others or expressing ourselves creatively.

To conclude, while there are many different perspectives on happiness, most people can agree that certain aspects of life should not be ignored. If we pay more attention to these, we are likely to live happier and more meaningful lives.

(Words: 281)

The Psychopath Test (Listening)

What is a psychopath?

Some people use the word "psychopath" to describe any person who behaves in a crazy or unbalanced way. In actuality, being a psychopath is much more serious. People with "clinical psychopathy" are human beings who lack important human emotions. They do not experience empathy, love, or meaningful connections with other people. 

In the following radio programme, you can hear three stories related to psychopaths. In the first section, the programme host describes what a psychopath is, tells about the radio staff's experience while taking "The Psychopath Test," and tells the story of a criminal who was evaluated with this test.

The second section discusses a successful business man who has scored highly on the Psychopath Test, and the third part gives the results of the staff members' test results. There is no reason to listen past minute 50:30.

It's quite long, but very interesting! Could you be a psychopath??

Before listening, make sure that you understand all of the following vocabulary:

rebellious      defendant      parole      delinquent

threaten        incident      mentor       reform

impulsive       ambivalent     ferocious    manipulative

amygdala        inaudible     formulate     parasitic

1. Generally speaking, what is the Psychopath Test used for?

2. What crimes did Robert Dixon commit? What crime was he imprisoned for at the time of the story?

3. Who invented the Psychopath Test? How does he feel when he talks about Psychopaths?

4. What are some problems with the Psychopath Test? (There are at least 5!)

5. Do you believe that Robert Dixon has been reformed? Do you think prison is a good place to reform criminals?

6. What is the connection between psychopaths and predatory animals?

7. Which typical characteristics of psychopaths does Al Dunlap have? Do you believe they have made him successful?

8. Do you think it's a good idea to categorize people's mental health? What are some advantages and drawbacks of this?

The Cobra Effect (Listening)

The audio recording below is a segment from an economics podcast (radio programme) called "Freakanomics." Their goal is to present financial and statistical concepts in an interesting way.

This particular programme is focused on the unintended consequences of trying to control human behaviour. We can apply this information to governmental policies on city planning, drug use, and the environment.

Before listening, make sure that you understand the following vocabulary:

rationing          implement          scheme          regulation

incentive          go awry            backfire        rescind

sewer              unintended         undermine       prestige

bounty             pitch in           drought         bait

I recommend using an ENGLISH dictionary to find out the meaning and pronunciation of each word. You can find an excellent online dictionary HERE.

The section is 30 minutes with a brief break for advertisement at the beginning and in the middle. This may seem long, but remember that the IELTS listening section lasts 40 minutes, so the ability to listen for long periods is truly invaluable!

After listening, consider the following questions and think about what you could say to answer them. Remember to form your answers in a complete sentence!

1. Briefly describe why the concept is called "The Cobra Effect." Why is it called "The Cobra Effect"?


2. What other animal pests underwent similar situations as cobras? Where did these problems take place?


3. Why did the population of pigs at Fort Benning actually increase rather than decrease?


4. What incentive scheme did the UN offer in an attempt to decrease greenhouse gases?


5. How does the Endangered Species Act negatively affect animals?


6. What can we learn about economics and incentives by learning about these unsuccessful situations?

Travel Notes (Speaking Part 2)

In previous posts, we have mentioned the importance of taking notes during your speaking exam. Making a quick plan of what you will say helps you to speak continuously without hesitation. It will also ensure that you address all parts of the question and maximise the material you can talk about.

Remember: Talking too much is never a problem, but talking too little can devastate your score!

Let's take a look at this common travel topic:

Describe a holiday that you are planning to take or would like to take in the future. You should say:

• Where you would go
• Who you would go with
• What kinds of activities you’d like to take part in

And say if you think you’ll be able to go on this holiday in the near future.

Begin by writing the name of the place, along with some adjectives to describe it. Always explain the reason for your statement. Remember to offer as much information as possible. Do you want to go to New York? Why? Describe an experience which made you interested in New York.

A good set of notes for this topic might look like so:

Morocco - exotic, interesting, foreign, colourful

often in films, photographs

beautiful scenery, landscape

meet my friend there - fun, adventurous, outgoing

activities - shopping, eating local cuisine, trekking in desert

I already have a plan to go

Below you can find some good examples of answers to this question. Pay attention to the smooth flow of information and detailed vocabulary. Also, note that the speaker uses a slow, clear pace. Try to avoid rushing through your answer! See below for transcripts.

Wow, there are just so many holidays I’d like to go on. Because it’s wintertime in New Zealand at the moment, I’d really like to travel someplace warm and sunny. I’ve heard that Fiji is really nice at this time of year, but any tropical island in the Pacific would probably do. I’d most like to travel with my girlfriend so that we could spend some relaxing evenings at the beach together. I find spending time near the sea to be extremely soothing. During the day, I’d swim in the sea and do a lot of reading, then at night I’d have a couple of cocktails, hang out by the pool, and look at the stars. I would also like to try out water-skiing, or maybe take a boat trip and try to catch a fish for my dinner!  Beach vacations are the best because they really take you away from your day to day life; you can sort of take a break from worrying about everything and just enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. I’m not sure how soon I’ll be able to take this trip, but hopefully next year. Or sooner!

I don’t have any travel plans at the moment, but of course there’s a lot of places I’d like to go. First and foremost, I’d like to visit New Zealand’s South Island. I’ve heard that it has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The Southern Alps are a famously beautiful and majestic mountain range. Also, I tend to enjoy active vacations. It’s not my style to just go somewhere and sit around. So, if I go to the South Island, I can participate in adventure sports like mountain climbing, skiing, and maybe even bungee jumping or skydiving, if I can muster up the courage! I’d love to go with a group of friends who would be willing to take part in these adventures with me. Travelling alone is OK, too, but it’s always nicer to share your experiences with others. Will I go there soon? Probably. I need to wait until I’ve finished this semester of University and earned a little money. But after that I will definitely take some time off to travel around the South Island. Actually, I can’t wait!

Well, this is a topic that I’m happy to talk about! I already have plans to go on an amazing trip next autumn. This holiday will be to several different cities in Morocco, which is located in Africa. I’m really excited to go there because I’ve never been to Africa before. It’s one of the only continents that I haven’t visited. I’m especially interested in Morocco because I’ve seen some films about it, and it seems like a very mystical and exotic place. I imagine it’s full of beautiful colours and delicious, spicy food. Maybe it won’t be exactly how I expect, but I’m looking forward to learning more. When I’m in Morocco, I’ll probably take a trek into the desert. I’ve seen some photographs of desert landscapes that have a unique, barren beauty. When I return to the city, I’ll also be sure to do some shopping and taste some local cuisine. When I go on a trip, I just like to explore my surroundings and try to experience as much as I can of the local culture. Though I’m flying to Morocco by myself, I’m planning to meet up with a friend there who is visiting from the United States. I’m excited to go on this adventure!

English about English (Listening)

As many students can tell you, listening is one of the more difficult skills to improve for IELTS. Particularly, to do well on Section 4, it’s not enough to listen to casual conversations or chat with your friends in English. You must do your best to expose yourself to academic English on a number of subjects whenever possible. Watching movies and especially documentaries (without subtitles!) is one great way to hear a variety of English.

The most common subjects for IELTS listening Section 4 are: History, Nature and The Environment, Music and Art, Linguistics and Cognitive Development, International Issues, and Economics.

Below you will find an interesting academic talk on the relationship between language and music in the brain. You should listen carefully and answer the questions posted below. Listen as many times as necessary to answer the questions.

For full understanding, please familiarise yourselves with the following vocabulary and idioms before listening:

• Broca’s area
• Aphasia
• Moonlight (verb)
• Polyglot
• Do I suck or am I great?
• Jet-setting
• You got me beat
• Tone deaf
• Far-fetched
• Off the hook
• Two-way street
• Tune out

During the first few minutes, the speaker reads letters from listeners to the show. One listener states that he likes the speaker’s voice so much that he could listen to him read the ingredients in processed food. The speaker then proceeds to do so!

Click the orange button to begin!

Skip to minute 3:40 to begin academic content. Also, please note that there is a brief advertisement at minute 13:50.

According to the expert speaker, in what ways are music and language similar?

When you undergo musical training, what kind of changes occur in your brain?

Why might Cantonese speakers have an advantage when learning music?

The speaker gave an example of why saying the wrong tone might cause trouble. What was it?

What three groups of people were used for the Bidelman experiment?

In your own words, summarise the results of Bidelman’s experiment.

Aside from musical tests, what two tests were the subjects of the experiment given? What were the results of those tests?

(Correct answers will be posted in the comments section in the near future!)