This unit enables you to complete notes from a recording, recognize and use words and phrases for working conditions and look at how to learn vocabulary.

1. IELTS Listening
Section-2
Unit-5
Labelling plans and maps
By Joseph Varghese
OCHS FP Muscat
Year: 2019-20

2. Exam Focus: Section 1 & 2
Completing plans, maps or diagrams
Here you need to
identify the different parts of the map / plan
by
listening to and understanding a description or
following directions.
You will, therefore, be listening to
• person describing a map, plan or to someone showing a
group of people around and you have to follow their
directions.

3. Learning Objectives
• Use the knowledge of similar places to predict
the ones on the plan or map. (This trick is called
distraction). Learn how to answer such questions
and avoid mistakes.
• Read IELTS Listening questions carefully and avoid
simple mistakes by recognising words and
phrases related to the topic.
• How to answer multiple choice questions
• Predict what type of words might be the answer
i.e. will it be a place, room, street, building etc.

4. • Visualize the place they are
describing whilst the person is talking
• Help you understand the context so
that you follow the talk more easily.

5. Learning Outcomes
• Predict places on a map or a plan
• Recognize words and phrases related
to the topic
• Answer multiple choice questions
• Predict the types of words for the
answers
• Visualize the place being described

6. Let us look at some Useful Language
1. at the top/at the bottom
2. on the left/on the right/on the far
side
3. North/South/East/West
4. to the north/to the west
5. slightly west of

7. 6. in the southwest/in the
northeast
7. in the middle of/in the centre of
8. above/below
9. inside/outside
10. opposite/in front of

8. 11. left-hand side/ right-hand
side
12. clockwise/anticlockwise
13.a little beyond
14. just past
15.before you get to

9. 16. adjoining
17.enter via
18. runs alongside
Note: Please, look up any of these and practice them
if you don’t understand

10. Exam Tips or Listening Strategy
1. Make sure you find the gaps for all the
questions before you begin listening.
2. Check the instructions to see if you have to
write a letter or a word.
3. Use your knowledge or similar places to
predict the ones on the plan or map.

11. 4. Think about where the person might begin
their talk from. What is to their right and
left? What is in front of and behind them?
5. Predict what type of words might be the
answer i.e. will it be a place, room, street,
building etc.
6. Listen to the beginning of the talk carefully
because this will help you understand the
context and help you follow the talk more
easily.

12. 7. Visualize the place they are
describing whilst the person is talking.
8. Note down any possible answers, but
be careful with distractors e.g.
‘this was the library but we decided
to move it down to the end of
the corridor’.

13. 9. Make short notes on the question paper
and then transfer your answers at the end
using correct spelling.
Note: The information you need to answer the questions is in the
same order as on the recording.

14. Now that you are ready, let’s listen
Get ready to do the test. Keep your writing materials ready.
Don’t look at the answer key. Remember, its only a practise.
We learn better from our mistakes! Take only one test a day.
Listen again​ and again, until you feel confident.
1. https://youtu.be/W1kuA2GuXks
2. https://youtu.be/1LuGkszzKHs
3. https://youtu.be/RTef4TnpDxE?list=TLPQMDYwNDIwMjBleQ2D5eK3XA
4. https://youtu.be/5bLz4Lf9RzU
5. https://youtu.be/MAIOwfDVb20

15. Assignments
1. Find out more vocabulary for diagram/map/plan
labelling. Make a list and send me a copy.
2. Practise their spelling.
3. Listen and practise the pronunciation of the words of
direction.
4. Make a list of the words given in the question paper
in the listening practise lessons and learn them.

16. Get familiar.
Vocabulary that may be helpful to know.
1. Rooms in buildings: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living
room, dining room, den, library, gymnasium, cafeteria,
classroom, waiting room
2. Place markers: street, road, avenue, lane, drive, court
3. Directions: north, south, east, west, up, down, right, left,
straight, across from, between, beside, diagonal, corner

17. References
1. Foundation IELTS Masterclass (Teacher’s Pack)
2. Foundation IELTS Masterclass (Student’s Pack)
3. Youtube videos
4. Top Tips for IELTS
5. Tips for IELTS