Academic Talks
A 60–90 second academic talk, followed by four multiple-choice questions.
- ~60–90 second academic talk
- 4 multiple-choice questions
- Listening section · audio plays once · deterministic grading
By the numbers (official ETS blueprint)
Figures below are transcribed directly from ETS’s own test blueprint document, not estimated from practice tests.
- 8–16 items on this task, per ETS's official blueprint.
- Targets CEFR A2–C2.
- Machine-scored: checked deterministically against a stored answer key.
- Listening section overall: 35 raw points, timed adaptive — a router of 18 min, then a module of 7–11 min.
ETS calls this task "Listen to an Academic Talk" in its own blueprint document.
What this task is
Academic Talks is the longest Listening task. You hear a single-speaker talk of roughly 60–90 seconds in academic register — like a short lecture segment — then answer 4 multiple-choice questions on main idea, detail, and the speaker's purpose or attitude. ETS's blueprint separately states an 8–16 item range for the task type as a whole — that's a section-level total across however many talks appear, not a per-talk count.
Instant, deterministic grading
Each question is graded deterministically against the stored answer key for an instant score and explanations. The talk plays once by default; practice mode adds replays and the transcript after you answer.
Strategy tips
- Catch the talk's main point early, then listen for the examples that support it.
- Note signpost words ("first", "however", "as a result") — they map the structure questions ask about.
- Listen for the speaker's stance; some questions ask why a point was made, not just what was said.
- With several questions on a longer talk, hold the overall thread rather than memorizing every word.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the talk?
About 60–90 seconds of academic-register speech from a single speaker.
How many questions?
Each talk is followed by 4 multiple-choice questions. ETS's blueprint separately states an 8–16 item range for the Academic Talks task type as a whole (across every talk in a section) — that's a section-level total, not a per-talk count.
Does the audio repeat?
On the exam it plays once. In practice mode here you can replay it and see the transcript after answering.
Other Listening tasks
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