So you decided to take the IELTS exam, great choice! It's the test that was tried and trusted throughout the world.
你决定考雅思了，真是明智的选择！雅思考试是被全世界广泛接受和参与的一项语言测试。
The IELTS listening test is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English.
雅思听力测试的目的在于评估你理解英语口语的能力。
The listening test is the same regardless of whether you're taking the IELTS Academic or General Training Module.
不论你参加的是学术类雅思考试，还是培训类雅思考试，听力部分的考题是一样的。
These are key details of the IELTS listening test.
雅思听力考试包括很多关键细节。
The paper includes forty questions spread over four sections in thirty minutes.
试卷共有四组考题，每组10题，考试时间30分钟。
The sections get more difficult as you progress through the test.
四部分考题的难度逐渐加深。
You will only hear each passage once.
每篇文章只放一遍。
It's vital you follow the instructions, for instance, if the question says write no more than three words, any answer with four words or more is automatically marked wrong.
审题至关重要，如果题目要求你用最多三个词作答，那么任何四个词或以上的答案都算答错。
At the end of the listening, you have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
听完所有文章后，你有十分钟的时间把答案誊到答题纸上。
Write your answers carefully; spelling is important; capitalization however is not.
书写答案时要认真细致；单词拼写会影响得分，答案采用大写或小写均可。
There are no penalties for wrong answers, so attempt all the questions even if you're not sure of the answer.
不要怕答错，即使不确定是否正确，也不要留空不写。
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the test.
以下是一些帮助你备考的小技巧。
You are given time to read the questions ahead of listening.
在听录音之前会给你时间读题。
It's vital you analyze the questions here.
此时仔细分析问题至关重要。

Look for key words in the question, usually the nouns or verbs, underline or circle them.
寻找问题中的关键词，通常是名词或动词，把他们标记出来。
Make sure you know the type of answers needed, for instance, is it a name, a telephone number, an adjective?
自己要知道答案是什么类型的，比如说，应该是个名字，一个电话号码，还是一个形容词？
Try to predict as much as you can before you listen.
在听录音之前尽你所能地预测问题。
Ask yourself: What is the situation? What is the topic? Who might be speaking? What might be the answers?
问问自己：这个对话发生在什么情景下？话题是什么？说话的可能是谁？答案可能是哪个？等等。
Synonyms are important, there is often a word in a question and a different word with a similar meaning in the listening.
同义词要留神，录音中往往有个词的意思和问题中的某个词相近。
Expect tricks. The speaker may try to confuse you, for example, they may give an answer and then change their decision.
对于欺骗性答案要有所准备。说话的人可能故意误导你，比如他们可能会给出一个答案，接着却改了主意。
Also be wary of negatives.
同时要留意否定词。
Speakers might sometimes slip the word "not" into a sentence, don't choose in answer just because you hear specific words.
讲话者有时候会丢一个表示否定的“not”在句子里，不要只是听到答案中的几个词就盲目选择。
Considering the overall meaning carefully.
仔细揣摩上下文的整体意思。
Changes in the tone of voice can indicate this, for example, 'excitement' or 'disappointment'.
语气变化也可以做为提示，比如（兴奋地说）‘excitement’和（失落地说）'disappointment'。
Always have the next question in mind.
要时刻留意下一个问题。
It's easy to miss several answers if all of your focus is on one question.
要是你把所有注意都集中在一个问题上，很容易错过很多问题的答案。
It's important to practice listening to a range of resources that might include television, films, radio, lectures or online videos.
用尽量丰富的资源去练习听力很重要，这些资源最好是来自电视节目、电影、广播、讲座或在线视频。
Aim for a variety of sources of spoken english, particularly different accents.
寻找尽可能多的听力资源，最好涵盖不同的英语方言。
There is no substitute for practice.
练习是无可取代的。
For more information on IELTS please see our other videos on speaking writing and reading.
更多雅思信息请参考我们关于口语、写作的阅读的视频。