I am having problem with the listening section in IELTS. My specific problem is with last part of listening section where the pace of information is high and you have to understand it all to answer questions 31 -40 .

Hi Varun, Remember, the Last Part of the Listening section is always difficult for everyone, even native people. Section 4, mainly (in some case, section 3), involves a lecture or a talk on academic research. To understand such monologues, one needs to get the speaker's opinion, mood, ideology, or inclination towards which side; sometimes, the speaker's tone becomes essential to understand the message. This section does not ideally have a direct answer from the tape you are listening to. It requires analyzing everything mentioned in the above points, use your intelligence and DERIVE the solution. Yes, you have to derive the answer as it will not be in tape directly. In that case, you can only locate the answer from tape if you have understood the general and specific detail of the conversation or tape. In addition, you must also identify what exactly the questions are asking and ofcourse, you can utilize the given time (few seconds) before the tape starts. Rarely humans can utilize their two skills at a time with equal concentration. So when you are listening - infact listening more cautiously to get all specific aspects, your eyes are also busy reading the question - Listening & Reading makes tasks more challenging. It means the performance in section 4 is directly proportional to the utilization of time that has been given to read questions in advance. Get the gist of at least half of the questions in advance. You can underline keywords for quick reference, which you need into consideration when the tape starts. So that when the tape starts now, your brain already knows what exactly you need to listen for, your ears are extra cautious for any twist and turn, and your brain will make you alert when your answer is supposed to come while listening. Sometimes answer passes spontaneously - make a triangle in your brain comprised of Tape Understanding - Question's Demand - Your Intuition or Intelligence. And this has to be within a fraction of seconds. Try to spot when the speaker moves from one point to another - catch linking words - can help you move on with the pace. Practice exercises that require to use of two skills at a time. This can be anything from your daily life too. You might be doing a few as well. Suppose you are replying to someone thru SMS while looking at your professor in the classroom. Or you are attending urgent call when you are watching the climax scene of any movie. If you are doing so well there, you can do well in listening section 4 too. Your brain needs to program in that way to carry on two things at a time - Practice and Analysis can do it eventually. Besides, start following your intuitions rather than looking for confirmation every time. All the Best! read less