Sections 3 & 4

Why Section 4 Is the Hardest

Section 4 consistently produces the lowest scores of all four sections. Three factors make it uniquely challenging:

Strategy for Section 3

The multi-speaker format of Section 3 creates a specific challenge: you must track whose opinion is being expressed, because the question may ask you what one particular speaker thinks — not the group consensus.

• 1

  Identify speakers before the audio starts

  The question paper usually names the speakers (e.g. “James and Dr. Martinez”). Note which name belongs to which role — student or tutor. This matters because questions often ask what a specific person believes, prefers, or suggests.

• 2

  Watch for shifting opinions

  In academic discussions, speakers change their minds. A student might initially disagree with their tutor before being persuaded. The answer is always the speaker’s final stated position — not their first reaction. Listen for concession signals: “Actually, I suppose...”, “You have a point...”, “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

• 3

  Use the preparation time strategically

  Read all questions before the section starts. For multiple choice or matching questions, underline the key distinction between options. In Section 3, wrong options are often mentioned by one speaker before being rejected — you need to know which options to listen for.

• 4

  Do not panic if you miss an answer

  Move immediately to the next question. In Section 3, the audio progresses logically through the questions in order. Spending time on a missed answer almost always costs you the next one too.

Strategy for Section 4

Section 4 rewards preparation. The candidates who do best are those who have read all the questions before the audio starts and have a clear sense of the lecture’s shape before a single word is spoken.

1. 1Read every question before the audio begins. Section 4 gives you 30 seconds of preparation time — use all of it. The questions are usually in order, so reading them gives you a roadmap of the lecture’s structure.
2. 2Follow the lecture structure. Most Section 4 lectures follow a predictable shape: introduction (background and purpose), two or three main points, a brief conclusion. Questions map to this structure in order.
3. 3Listen for signposting language: “Firstly...”, “Moving on to...”, “In contrast...”, “This brings me to...” These phrases signal transitions between answer zones and help you track your position.
4. 4Expect paraphrase. The question will ask about “the main advantage of solar energy” — the speaker will say “the primary benefit of photovoltaic technology.” Train yourself to listen for meaning, not exact words.
5. 5Use abbreviations when taking notes during the audio. Write only the content words you need for the answer — verbs, nouns, numbers. Save full spelling for the 10-minute transfer period at the end.

Paraphrase Awareness

In Sections 3 and 4, the exact words in the question will almost never appear in the audio. The examiner deliberately rephrases the key idea. Here are common paraphrase patterns to watch for:

Common Mistakes

• 1

  Losing track of the question number

  This is the single most costly error in Sections 3 and 4. If you write an answer against the wrong question number, you may lose multiple marks at once. Keep a finger or pencil on the current question at all times.

• 2

  Being thrown by unfamiliar academic vocabulary

  You do not need to understand every word in Section 4 — you only need to find the answers. If you encounter an unfamiliar term, do not stop to process it. Keep listening for the key content words that correspond to the question.

• 3

  Trying to understand everything rather than hunting for answers

  Section 4 contains far more information than you need. Candidates who try to comprehend the whole lecture are distracted from their primary goal: locating specific answers to specific questions. Stay question-focused, not lecture-focused.