The elimination method is all about narrowing down your options as you listen.
Instead of trying to identify the correct answer right away, you focus on ruling out the ones that don’t fit.
This approach can save your time and improve your accuracy, especially when you’re not 100% sure about the correct match.
So, how does this work in practice?
As you’re listening to the audio, you can start crossing off options that clearly don’t match the information you’re hearing.
This way, even if you miss some details, you’ll have fewer options to choose from when making your final decision.
Examples
Let’s look at some examples to see how this might play out:
Matching People to Hobbies:
Options: A) Gardening, B) Painting, C) Cooking, D) Photography, E) Dancing
Audio: “John spends most of his free time outdoors, working with plants.” You can quickly eliminate B, C, D, and E, leaving only A as the likely answer.
Matching Places to Descriptions:
Options: A) Busy city, B) Quiet village, C) Coastal town, D) Mountain resort, E) Industrial area
Audio: “It’s a peaceful place where you can hear birds singing all day.” You might cross off A, C, and E immediately, narrowing your choice to B or D.
Matching Products to Features:
Options: A) Waterproof, B) Lightweight, C) Durable, D) Eco-friendly, E) Multi-functional
Audio: “This item is made entirely from recycled materials.” You can eliminate A, B, C, and possibly E, leaving D as the most probable answer.
Matching Events to Dates:
Options: A) January, B) March, C) June, D) September, E) December
Audio: “The festival takes place when the leaves start to change color.” You might cross off A, B, C, and E, leaving D as the likely answer.
Matching Professions to Descriptions:
Options: A) Teacher, B) Doctor, C) Lawyer, D) Engineer, E) Chef
Audio: “This job involves designing and constructing buildings.” You can eliminate A, B, C, and E, leaving D as the probable match.
By using this method, you’re not just passively listening. You’re actively engaging with the content and making decisions as you go. This can help keep you focused and make the task feel more manageable.
One thing to keep in mind: sometimes you might not be able to eliminate all but one option.
That’s okay!
Even narrowing it down to two or three choices can significantly improve your chances of selecting the correct answer.
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts on this strategy.
Why not share your experiences in the comments below?
Author
IELTS Maverick
Founder of Worddemy and an ex-IELTS student turned IELTS Instructor. After completing Academic English Program from University of Texas, he have successfully navigated the IELTS exam. As a former test-taker, he intimately understands the challenges students face. He brings a unique perspective that combines personal experience with professional expertise. Now, as an IELTS Instructor and Strategist, he leverages this firsthand knowledge to develop effective preparation strategies and materials.
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