Core listening strategies - Handling distractors and signpos...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to efficiently identify distractors and use signposting cues in IELTS Listening. You will understand how distractors work, practise using common signposting language, and avoid typical errors in listening tasks where misleading information is often used to trick candidates.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to develop listening strategies that help you avoid falling for distractors and interpret signposting language accurately. As you revise this skill, focus on these syllabus points:

• Recognize distractors in IELTS Listening, especially when early information in an audio is corrected or replaced.
• Identify and follow signposting cues—phrases or words in the recording that help you keep track of the speaker’s direction or upcoming changes.
• Listen for changes of mind, corrections, and qualifying phrases in listening passages.
• Distinguish between relevant information and red herrings (misleading details).
• Accurately select answers even when multiple pieces of information are presented, preventing mistakes due to distraction or misdirection.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What usually indicates a distractor in an IELTS Listening recording?
2. In the sentence "At first I was planning to travel on Monday, but actually I decided Tuesday would be better," which day should you write as your answer?
3. Which words or phrases in a recording are examples of signposting?
4. True or false: Once you hear information that matches the question, you should immediately write your answer and stop listening for new information.

Introduction

In the IELTS Listening test, you will often hear information that is corrected, modified, or clarified later in a conversation or monologue. These misleading details—called distractors—are designed to check that you are listening carefully and not just writing down the first thing you hear. Furthermore, speakers often use signposting language to help listeners follow the flow of the conversation and anticipate upcoming changes or important points.

Key Term: Distractor
A distractor is any piece of information included in a listening recording that is intended to confuse, mislead, or draw attention away from the correct answer by seeming plausible or matching the task question before being replaced or corrected later.

Key Term: Signposting
Signposting refers to words or phrases that highlight structure or transitions in spoken language, helping listeners to follow changes in topic, direction, or speaker focus.

Why IELTS Uses Distractors

IELTS Listening tests more than your ability to pick out key words. It checks your attention to detail and your skill in distinguishing between true and false leads. Distractors commonly involve initial information that is later changed by the speaker. If you focus only on the first matching detail, you'll risk incorrect answers.

Common forms of distractors include:

• A speaker stating incorrect or outdated details, then correcting them.
• Two options being discussed, then one being eliminated.
• Information given in a list, but only one item is required.
• The answer being mentioned late in a sentence, with false leads early on.

Missing these signals can result in errors, even if you otherwise understand the recording.

Recognizing and Managing Distractors

To overcome distractors, you need to:

• Listen until the speaker finishes answering the question.
• Expect that initial details may be replaced or clarified.
• Watch out for phrases such as "Actually...", "No, that's not right...", "On second thoughts...", "I mean...", or "Let me change that...".

Key Term: Red Herring
In IELTS listening, a red herring is a specific form of distractor—information included to seem relevant but which does not lead to the correct answer.

Typical Distractor Triggers

Distractors are introduced by specific signposting phrases:

• "At first I thought..."
• "Initially we planned..."
• "No, that's wrong, sorry..."
• "Or perhaps..."
• "I should say..."

When you hear these, be ready for the information to change.

Signposting Language in Listening

Signposting acts as a map for the listener. In the IELTS Listening test, signposting helps you recognize transitions, instructions, or changes in direction. Listening out for signposting phrases helps you not only anticipate distractors but also understand the main sequence and what information is most important.

Key signposting words and phrases include:

• "First,..." or "Firstly,..."
• "Now let's move on to..."
• "The next topic is..."
• "However,..."
• "But most importantly,..."
• "Before we finish,..."
• "On the other hand,..."

Key Term: Signposting Expression
A signposting expression is a word or phrase that signals the logical direction or organization of a spoken passage, such as starting a new idea, making a contrast, adding further points, or introducing examples.

Practical Listening Strategies

1. Expect distractors in almost every Listening section.
2. Do not write your answer the moment you hear the first relevant information—wait to confirm it's not changed or corrected.
3. Recognize common signposting phrases to follow the speaker’s direction.
4. When you hear a correction or change of mind, revise your answer if needed.
5. Practise by listening for corrections and retractions in conversations and news interviews.

Worked Example 1.1

Listen to the following dialogue segment:

"I'd like to make a reservation for three people at 8 o'clock. Actually, 8 might be too late; can we do 7:30 instead? Wait—I've just checked with my friend, and 7 is better after all."

Question: What time should you enter for the reservation?

Answer:
7 o'clock. The speaker corrects the time two times. Only the final time (7 o'clock) is correct.

Worked Example 1.2

Read this short transcript:

Woman: "Which bus should I catch to get to the city centre? The 25 or the 35?" Man: "Let me see... oh, the 25 doesn't stop there anymore. You should take the 35." Woman: "But the 35 only runs on Sundays, doesn't it? Today is Monday, so... would that be the 15, then?" Man: "That's right, the 15 will take you to the city centre today."

Question: Which bus goes to the city centre on Monday?

Answer:
The number 15 bus. The correct answer is only confirmed after both previous buses are eliminated, illustrating distractors followed by the actual information.

Worked Example 1.3

In a listening text, you hear:

"The meeting will be held in the Blue Room. Actually, no, it's moved to the Green Room on the first floor. Let me clarify once more—the correct location is the Green Room."

Question: Where is the meeting?

Answer:
The Green Room. "Blue Room" is a distractor; the speaker's correction, introduced by signposting language, gives the true answer.

Exam Warning

It is a common error to select early information matching the question and ignore corrections or changes that come almost immediately after. On IELTS tests, always listen for language signalling a rethink, correction, or clarification, and do not move ahead of the speaker.

Revision Tip

Train by listening to radio interviews or dialogues and noting every time a speaker says "No, wait," "Actually," or "Sorry, that's wrong," then writes down the final (corrected) detail only.

Summary

In IELTS Listening, you must be ready for distractors—details that are corrected or adjusted—and use signposting language to keep track of important changes and structure. Careful listening to the whole sentence and active note-taking will help you avoid the trap of writing down the first plausible answer you hear.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Understand what distractors are and how they work in IELTS Listening.
• Recognize common signposting phrases signalling corrections, changes of mind, or transitions.
• Avoid writing down information before confirming with the complete sentence or dialogue.
• Anticipate changes by listening for red herrings and qualify all initial information.
• Practise by listening for corrections, withdrawals, or clarifications in other spoken English materials.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Distractor
• Signposting
• Red Herring
• Signposting Expression