IELTS Listening · Ch 13
Short Answer Questions
No-more-than-N-words rule · what vs. why questions · exact short phrases
Topic & Why It Matters
Short Answer Questions ask you to listen for a specific piece of information and write a brief answer, usually no more than two or three words and/or a number. They can appear in any part of the Listening test, but they are especially common when the recording gives practical instructions, reasons, locations, or decisions.
This type looks simple because there are no options to compare. The challenge is that you must identify exactly what the question is asking, avoid nearby distractors, and compress the answer into a short phrase that still answers the question naturally.
Knowledge Points
Short answers test exact information
You answer a direct question with a short phrase from the recording. The target is usually a reason, object, place, time, material, problem, or action.
The word limit is part of the question
Instructions such as "NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER" are strict. Articles, prepositions, and hyphenated forms can change whether an answer is valid.
Question words control answer type
What usually asks for a noun or action, where asks for a place, when asks for a time, who asks for a person or group, and why asks for a reason.
Answers appear in order
Short-answer questions normally follow the audio sequence. Use the next question as a map so you do not keep listening for an answer that has already passed.
Use words from the audio
The question may paraphrase the recording, but the safest answer is the exact word or phrase the speaker uses, shortened only to fit the blank and word limit.
Grammar still matters
A short answer must answer the question directly. If the question asks 'What will visitors receive?', write 'a map' or 'map,' not 'receive a map.'
Distractors are often rejected options
Speakers may mention one possibility and then correct or replace it. Write the final selected answer, not the first option you hear.
Step-by-Step Strategy
1
Read the instruction first
Circle the word limit and notice whether numbers are allowed. Decide how short each answer must be before the audio starts.
2
Classify each question word
Mark what, why, where, when, who, or how. This tells you the answer category and helps you ignore attractive but wrong nouns.
3
Underline anchors
Underline names, places, dates, and topic nouns in the question. The speaker will often paraphrase these anchors just before the answer.
4
Predict a possible grammar shape
Before listening, decide whether the answer should be a noun phrase, verb phrase, place, number, or reason phrase.
5
Listen through corrections
If the speaker says 'we used to...' or 'at first we thought...', wait for the final decision before writing.
6
Write the smallest complete answer
Do not copy the whole sentence. Write only the words that directly answer the question and fit the limit.
7
Check the question-answer pair
During transfer time, read the question and your answer together. It should sound natural, specific, and within the word limit.
Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Corrective Rule |
|---|---|
| Answering the wrong question word | If the question asks why, the answer must give a reason, not an object or location. |
| Writing a full sentence | Short answers need short noun or verb phrases; remove unnecessary subjects, verbs, and prepositions. |
| Exceeding the word limit | Count articles and prepositions. "In the old library" is four words; "old library" is two. |
| Choosing the first mentioned option | Wait for contrast words such as but, however, actually, or instead before committing. |
| Paraphrasing too freely | Use the exact audio wording when possible; your own synonym may not be accepted. |
Vocabulary Bank
| Question / Signal | Usage Note |
|---|---|
| What is the main reason...? | Requires a reason, often after because, since, or due to |
| Where will they meet? | Requires a place or location phrase |
| When does it start? | Requires a time, day, date, or period |
| Who is responsible for...? | Requires a person, role, or group |
| What should students bring? | Requires an object or item |
| How will they travel? | Requires a method of transport or process |
| because / since / as | Reason signal for why questions |
| the problem is | Often introduces the answer to a difficulty question |
| we decided to | Final decision after earlier options |
| instead / rather than | Marks replacement of a distractor |
| not the..., but the... | Contrast pattern; answer usually follows but |
| at the entrance / reception / laboratory | Common place-answer pattern |
| on Monday / at 10.30 / next week | Common time-answer pattern |
| a printed guide / safety gloves / water bottle | Common object-answer pattern |
| lack of time / poor weather / high cost | Common reason-answer pattern |
Practice Question
Instructions: Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. Click Check when done.
Audio Script — Field Visit Briefing
■ Tutor (male) · ■ Student (female)In the real test you hear this once. Play first and attempt the exercise, then read the script to verify.
Model Answer
| Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. visitor centre | The student remembers the car park, but the tutor says it will be closed. The final meeting place is the visitor centre, which fits the place question. |
| 2. 8.45 | The minibus leaves at nine, but students must arrive by 8.45 for equipment checks. The question asks arrival time, so nine is a distractor. |
| 3. water bottle | The tutor directly says students should bring a water bottle. Lunch is rejected because the department will provide sandwiches. |
| 4. low response rate | The reason for not using online questionnaires is that the response rate was too low last year. This answers the why question with a short reason phrase. |
| 5. Dr. Malik | Dr. Malik will supervise the interview teams. The tutor mentions himself only to say he will handle consent forms at the visitor centre. |
| 6. education room | If the weather is poor, the observation task moves indoors to the education room. The entrance is only where interviews continue, not where observation moves. |
Self-Check
Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all three, re-read the relevant section.
- What answer type should you expect after a why question?
- Why is 'nine' the wrong answer for question 2 in the practice task?
- If the instruction is no more than three words, is 'the visitor centre' acceptable?
Answers: (1) A reason phrase, often introduced by because, since, or due to. (2) Nine is the departure time; 8.45 is the arrival time. (3) Yes. It is three words and directly names the place.