Hi again — I’m Emily Carter, IELTS Listening instructor here at IELTS Zone.
Once you’re confident with map and plan labelling, the next challenge in Section 2 is Matching Information (Places or Features) in IELTS Listening.
In this task, you’ll hear a single speaker (often a guide, organiser, or staff member) describe different locations or items. Your goal is to match each description with the correct place or feature listed in your question booklet.
This question type tests your ability to identify specific information and distinguish similar-sounding options — essential for reaching Band 7 +.
Typically, you’ll see a list of letters (A–G) representing places or features on a plan, and questions (11–14 or 11–17) describing what happens or what each place offers.
Example:
Which facility provides …
11 refreshments
12 guided tours
13 gift items
14 wheelchair access
Place / Feature | Letter |
A. Café | — |
B. Visitor Centre | — |
C. Main Entrance | — |
You must listen carefully and connect the correct letters (A, B, C, etc.) to the questions (11–14).
Key facts:
Each letter (A–G) may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
Before the recording starts:
This 30-second preview helps your brain prepare for upcoming vocabulary.
IELTS loves paraphrasing. You rarely hear the exact same word in the audio as in the question.
Question | Recording Equivalent |
refreshments | drinks / light snacks |
guided tours | staff show visitors around |
gift items | souvenirs or mementos |
wheelchair access | suitable for disabled visitors |
Listening for meaning rather than exact words is the difference between Band 6 and Band 8.
In Section 2, you might hear monologues about:
Speakers often describe what each area offers, contains, or is used for. For example:
“The North Building has recently opened a small café with outdoor seating.”
→ Question keyword: refreshments → Answer: North Building
Unlike other question types, these answers don’t always follow the order of the recording. You might hear the answer for Question 13 before Question 11.
To manage this:
A flexible mindset keeps you from freezing during unexpected order shifts
Speakers in this task often use functional expressions that signal what each place does:
Function | Example Expression |
Location / direction | “On your left as you enter…” |
Purpose | “It’s mainly used for…” |
Facility | “You can buy / hire / book…” |
Limitation | “It’s closed on weekends…” |
Change | “It used to be a café, but now…” |
Listening for these patterns helps you identify what matches each question’s idea.
Section 2 often features British or Australian narrators.
Pronunciation differences can hide clues — for instance, “canteen” may sound like “kin-teen” in some accents, and “centre” can sound like “sen-ta.”
Listening to British Council podcasts or BBC Travel segments is a great way to tune your ear to regional variations.
Mistake | Reason | Solution |
Matching too early | Guessing before the full sentence ends. | Wait for the complete description. |
Ignoring keywords | Not identifying what each question asks. | Underline action words before listening. |
Losing track of options | Not crossing out used letters. | Cross them out neatly while listening. |
Confusing similar places | “Entrance hall” vs “Main hall.” | Note distinct clues from each. |
The test checks attention control as much as listening skill.
Day | Task |
Mon | Do one Cambridge Section 2 matching set under exam conditions. |
Tue | Practise paraphrase recognition (match phrases to meanings). |
Wed | Listen to museum or city tour clips and note function phrases. |
Thu | Analyse one wrong-answer set to identify error type. |
Fri | Take a timed mixed practice (Map + Matching) to build endurance. |
Consistent short practice beats long irregular study.
To summarise, Matching Information (Places or Features) in IELTS Listening requires:
Once you can match features confidently, you’re ready to tackle numerical and factual detail tasks in the same section.
Next, move on to Table & Flow-Chart Completion to learn how to follow step-by-step processes and descriptive sequences.
To sum up, Sentence Completion (Two Speakers) in IELTS Listening teaches you to:
Once you master this final Section 1 task type, you’re ready to progress to Section 2, which focuses on monologues and public talks.
Next, explore Map & Plan Labelling Questions to discover how to follow spoken directions and landmarks — a key skill for the next stage of IELTS Listening.
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