Introduction:
Are you planning to take the IELTS exam, but are facing challenges in coping with the distractors of the Listening and Reading skills? Don’t worry! This blog will make you familiar with various strategies through which you can keep yourself at arm’s length from things that stop you from getting your desired score. Understand how these distractors work, and a few examples that can aid you during your preparation and examination.
How do Distractors Work?
As you desire to study, work, or migrate to a foreign country, you need to display your proficiency level in the English language. For this reason, you take the IELTS exam, where you demonstrate 4 skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Usually, listening and reading sections of the IELTS exam are known as easier than the other two skills, provided you do not get trapped in the words or statements that are hardly significant. The words or statements that grab the attention of the candidates in a way that they seem to be the true answers are usually termed as distractors.
Distractors are heard or seen in listening and reading skills. They are known as distractors due to their capability of leaving a test taker confused while hearing or searching for the correct answer. The distractors are meticulously placed between/among statements to take you away from the right answers and thus, NOT letting you reach your target of 7+ bands in the IELTS exam.
Tips to Stay Away from Listening Distractors
To score the maximum bands in your IELTS listening skill , you need to first know about the tactics to stay away from words that obstruct your progress. Follow the tips as under:
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Listen to the whole statement and then write: As the audio is played just once, you may start writing immediately as you hear the statement. Do NOT do that. Let the speaker complete the statements, as he may correct them later. So, wait till it’s entirely said.
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Pay extra attention to rectifying cues: In the audio, you may hear the speaker saying distinct words such as ‘not actually’, ‘oh sorry’, ‘I mean’, ‘but’, ‘however’, etc. Be very careful when you hear such words or phrases.
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Speculate and concentrate: In listening, your journey becomes easy if you start assuming the answers to the given question. Looking at the question, try to predict whether the response would be the name, place, number, or thing. While doing so, keep utmost focus by reading questions beforehand.
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Key components: Hearing any name or number in listening has to be done with 100% attention, as it won’t be repeated and is often changed or altered.
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Every day practice: Listening to various slang of the English language will give you knowledge about the way of speaking and improve your listening ability. You can take help from motivational videos from YouTube, TED Talks, audiobooks, BBC English, and so on.
Some Examples of Listening Distractors
The distractors that come your way while listening are as follows:
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Options already stated:
In the listening test, students usually find it tough to figure out the correct option for the multiple-choice question if the speaker talks about all the options given. For example:
➤ Speaker 1: Hey Jane! How have you been doing? Long time, no see. Let’s grab a coffee at a nearby café.
➤ Speaker 2: Hey Anna, I am pretty good. How about you? Usually, I like to have tea over coffee, but as it’s too hot outside, I would prefer a cold drink. Let’s go.
Question: What would Jane have at the café?
a. Coffee
b. Cold drink
c. Tea
The correct answer happens to be (b. cold drink), but students mishear and write (a. coffee) as their answer, as they heard it first. Avoid it. Let the speaker finish talking.
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Usage of similar words:
Synonyms are frequently used in listening tests to judge your knowledge of vocabulary and this leads to the selection of wrong answers if the student is unaware of the meaning.
➤ Speaker: You can park your private vehicles beside the library building.
Question: Parking: Just next to _______________.
The final answer is library, as the meaning of beside and next to is the same.
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Manipulation through opposite words:
Not only positives, but negatives also hamper your listening scores.
➤ Speaker 1: There are many options available for your homestay in the city centre, such as with senior citizens, a single parent with kids, and a couple with pets.
➤ Speaker 2: I would like to stay with the elderly people in exchange for some assistance because I am NOT very good with animals.
Question: Lisa wishes to stay with ____________?
a. A couple with pets
b. People over 60 years of age
c. Children with one parent alive
The exact answer is (b) as the lady wants to stay with elderly people and does not like pets.
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Rectifications:
You need to be extra alert when you hear words such as ‘no’, ‘sorry’, and so on. There is a chance that you may get perplexed due to the change in the information.
➤ Speaker 1: May I know your full name, please?
➤ Speaker 2: Oh, yes! It’s Keliye Peterson.
➤ Speaker 1: Is it K-E-L-Y Peterson?
➤ Speaker 2: No. It is K-E-L-I-Y-E Peterson.
Question: Name: __________ Peterson
The name of the lady is KELIYE and not KELY. Do not rush. Hear fully. What you hear first may not necessarily be the right answer.
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Beware of homonyms:
Such words that have the same spelling or are pronounced similarly sometimes create confusion in the minds of candidates. Words such as fit and feet, see and sea, right and write, and many more. Always go for the word according to the context of the audio.
Conclusion
Listening is very easy if dealt with precision and concentration. A small distraction or uncertainty can act as a barrier between you and the high score. Don’t let this hindrance come in your way. Know the types of distractors of the IELTS Listening test through this blog and lead your path to success. For more detailed guidance, contact your nearest study abroad consultants who can handhold you and bring out your actual potential to showcase your English language proficiency.
