IELTS Listening Traps: How to Spot Distractors

IELTS Listening isn't just about hearing words; it's about understanding meaning. Examiners deliberately use "distractors" to trick you into writing the wrong answer. This guide reveals how to spot them and avoid falling into these traps.

What is a Distractor?

A distractor is a piece of information that sounds like the answer but is incorrect. The speaker often corrects themselves, adds a condition, or changes their mind mid-sentence. If you write the first thing you hear, you'll likely get it wrong.

Classic Example

Question: What time does the library close?

Audio: "Well, usually we close at 5:00 PM... (Distractor!) oh wait, that's only on weekends. On weekdays we're actually open until 8:00 PM."

Correct Answer: 8:00 PM (if the question asks about weekdays).

The first answer (5:00 PM) is the distractor. The real answer comes after the correction.

Common Distractor Signals

Listen for these words. They signal that the previous information was wrong or incomplete:

But...
However...
Actually...
No, wait...
In fact...
I was mistaken...
Let me correct that...
On second thought...

Types of Distractors

1. Correction Distractor

The speaker makes a mistake and fixes it immediately.

"I'd like 3 tickets. No, make that 4."

Answer: 4 (not 3)

2. Future vs Present Distractor

The question asks about NOW, but the speaker talks about the FUTURE.

"We plan to build a pool next year, but right now we only have a gym."

If asked "What facilities are available now?" → Answer: gym (not pool)

3. Similar Sounds Distractor

Words that sound alike (15 vs 50, 13 vs 30).

"It costs 15 dollars." (Stress on 'teen') vs "50 dollars" (Stress on 'fif-ty').

Listen for stress patterns and context clues.

4. Negative Distractor

The speaker mentions something, then says it's NOT the answer.

"Some people think it's expensive, but it's not. It's actually quite affordable."

Proven Strategy to Avoid Distractors

Don't write immediately: Wait until the speaker finishes the sentence or thought before writing your answer.
Listen for correction signals: When you hear "but", "however", "actually", pause and wait for the corrected information.
Check the question tense: If the question asks "What is available now?" but the speaker says "We will have...", that's a distractor.
Use context clues: If the speaker hesitates or corrects themselves, the second piece of information is usually correct.

Practice Exercise

Question: What is the maximum group size?

Audio: "Groups can be up to 20 people... actually, I should check that... yes, the maximum is 15 people per group."

Answer: 15 (not 20)

Frequently Asked Questions

Listen for correction words like 'but', 'however', 'actually', 'no wait', or 'I was mistaken'. These signal that the previous information was wrong or incomplete.

Train Your Ears to Spot Distractors

Our listening practice tests are full of these distractors to help you prepare for the real thing. Practice identifying them before test day.