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Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening: A Comprehensive Guide for Higher Band Scores

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening: A Comprehensive Guide for Higher Band Scores

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions in the IELTS Listening test require you to label parts of a visual representation—such as a map of a park, a building’s floor plan, or a scientific diagram—based on information you hear in the recording. Although this question type might seem more straightforward than others, the challenge lies in understanding directional language, following spatial clues, and keeping track of details as the speaker moves from one point to another.

 

If you’re targeting a Band 7 or above, mastering Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling is critical. Not only does it boost your Listening score, but it also equips you with valuable real-life skills, such as navigating new places or interpreting instructions in English. For an even deeper exploration of strategies and practice exercises, be sure to check out our IELTS Listening eBook, which provides you with comprehensive tips, practice materials, and expert insights tailored to each question type in the IELTS Listening exam.

Understanding Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling for the IELTS Listening Exam

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling is a highly practical part of the IELTS Listening exam that tests how well you can follow spatial descriptions and directional language. In these questions, you’ll be presented with a visual representation, such as a map, floor plan, or diagram, which contains blank labels or spaces you need to fill in. As you listen to the recording, the speaker will describe how to move around or where specific features are located, and you must use these clues to label the diagram accurately.

 

Mastering this question type not only helps you secure a higher Listening band score but also develops valuable real-world skills, like navigating unfamiliar places and understanding directions in English. Below is the in-depth look at the typical scenarios you might encounter, along with the kinds of language and strategies you should anticipate.

Typical Scenarios

  1. Floor Plans

    • What You Might See: A layout of a building’s ground floor, possibly including multiple rooms, entrances, corridors, staircases, or facilities like restrooms and reception areas.

    • Common Instructions:

      • “Walk straight ahead from the main entrance…”

      • “You’ll see a large corridor on your right…”

      • “Next to the elevator, you’ll find…”

    • Potential Pitfalls:

      • Mixing up floors (e.g., upstairs vs. downstairs)

      • Confusing left and right when navigating hallways

      • Overlooking smaller rooms or storage areas

  2. Maps

    • What You Might See: A park, university campus, or city block drawn from a bird’s-eye view. You could have blank labels for shops, landmarks, roads, parking areas, or bus stops.

    • Common Instructions:

      • “Head north until you reach the main street…”

      • “The café is opposite the library…”

      • “Turn left at the fountain…”

    • Potential Pitfalls:

      • Not recognizing compass directions (e.g., north, south, east, west)

      • Confusing similar-looking landmarks, such as two fountains or several gardens

      • Missing references to natural features (e.g., “beside the lake,” “across the river”)

  3. Scientific or Technical Diagrams

    • What You Might See: A machinery layout, process flowchart, or biological diagram with different parts or stages needing labels.

    • Common Instructions:

      • “Connect the tube to the circular valve on the left…”

      • “Above the main chamber, you’ll find the control panel…”

      • “The first step occurs in the smaller cylinder…”

    • Potential Pitfalls:

      • Getting lost in technical jargon if you’re not familiar with certain processes or machinery terms

      • Failing to note relative positioning (e.g., one part sits below or behind another)

      • Overlooking references to size differences (e.g., “the larger valve,” “the narrower tube”)

Key Point: Common Locations

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling commonly appears in Section 2 or Section 3 of the IELTS Listening exam. During these sections, the speaker often:

  • Gives directions for a tour (e.g., a museum or campus).

  • Explains how a public facility is arranged (e.g., a community center, sports complex).

  • Describes the workings of a device or process (especially in educational settings or when there’s a semi-academic lecture).

 

Why This Matters

Your ability to follow spatial and directional language—words like “next to,” “across from,” “go straight,” or “turn left”—is tested here. Understanding these terms quickly and applying them to the visual layout is crucial. If you mishear or misunderstand these instructions, you risk labeling the diagram incorrectly.

Extra Details and Considerations

  1. Directional Vocabulary

    • Common Words: “Left,” “Right,” “Straight ahead,” “Beyond,” “Opposite,” “Adjacent,” “Diagonal,” “At the corner.”

    • Tip: Practice these with real-life navigation or by drawing quick sketches and narrating routes to yourself or a study partner.

  2. Visual Clarity

    • Some diagrams can be complex, with multiple arrows, lines, or shapes. Take a moment before the audio starts to identify all pre-labeled features, reference points, and the overall layout (e.g., if it’s a rectangular building or an irregular shape).

  3. Word Limits and Spelling

    • Like other IELTS questions, Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling typically has word count limits (e.g., “No more than two words”).

    • If the speaker spells out a location or part name, ensure you catch every letter. Spelling mistakes or extra words can cost you valuable marks.

  4. Common Pitfalls

    • Skipping the Preview: Many candidates dive into listening without first checking the diagram. This can lead to confusion once the audio begins.

    • Misidentifying Compass Directions: Check if there’s a compass (N, S, E, W) on the map. If not, the speaker may still reference them verbally.

    • Overwriting the Wrong Label: If you realize an error mid-listening, be prepared to correct it swiftly and confirm the new label’s placement.

  5. Real-World Relevance

    • Beyond the IELTS test, these skills are directly transferable: navigating offices, campuses, or public transport routes. Understanding instructions like “Exit Gate 3, then turn right” or “Your class is two floors above the main lobby” is invaluable in everyday life.

Putting It into Practice

  • Before Listening Starts:

    1. Scan the entire diagram or plan. Identify major landmarks, key symbols, or partial labels (like “Exit,” “Entrance,” or “Room A”).

    2. Predict which terms or directions might come up based on the setting (e.g., a city map might have roads and intersections; a building plan might have corridors and doorways).

  • During the Audio:

    1. Listen for sequence words like “First,” “Then,” “Next,” “Finally.” They indicate a route or progression of steps.

    2. Track every change: If the speaker says “Sorry, let me correct that,” it means a revision is coming. Update your diagram accordingly.

  • After the Audio:

    1. Review each label. Does it match the description of where it should be?

    2. Check for contradictions or repeated mistakes (like labeling something twice).

​

By thoroughly understanding the nature of Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling and applying these detailed tips, you’ll be well-prepared to handle this question type on test day. Whether you’re labeling a university campus map, an airport layout, or a new city block, the same fundamental principles—listening for directional language, visualizing the space, and double-checking for clarity—will guide you to the correct answers and boost your IELTS Listening score.

Common Mistakes and How to Overcome Them

Although Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions in the IELTS Listening test may appear more straightforward than other question types, they come with their own unique set of challenges. Below is an expanded discussion of the most frequent pitfalls you might encounter, along with practical strategies to tackle them effectively.

1. Misinterpreting Directional Language

What Goes Wrong:
Test-takers often confuse words like “opposite” and “adjacent,” or fail to note whether something is described as “in front of” versus “behind” another landmark. These subtle distinctions can lead to placing a label on the wrong feature.

 

Why It Happens:

  • Rushed listening makes it easy to miss a single preposition or phrase.

  • Inexperience with directional or spatial vocabulary (e.g., “east,” “west,” “upstairs,” “downstairs,” etc.).

  • Stress and time pressure can magnify small errors in interpretation.

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Build a strong directional vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with common terms (e.g., “beyond,” “beside,” “across from”) and practice using them in real-world scenarios or while studying maps.

  • Visualize actively: As you listen, imagine walking the route or looking at the diagram from above. Mentally place each referenced landmark relative to others.

  • Take quick notes: If you hear “The library is opposite the courtyard,” jot down a mini-diagram or arrow to indicate the relative positions. This step reduces the risk of mixing up left/right or front/behind.

2. Overlooking Key Details

What Goes Wrong:
You might miss crucial moments in the audio, such as self-corrections. For example, the speaker might say, “Sorry, not the first door on the right but the second door.” If you’ve already labeled “first door,” you could overlook the correction.

 

Why It Happens:

  • Speakers may speak rapidly or throw in clarifications halfway through a sentence.

  • Test-takers sometimes “lock in” an answer too early and stop listening for updates or revisions.

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Stay alert for correction cues: Listen for phrases like “Actually,” “Let me rephrase,” “I need to clarify,” or “I made a mistake.” These always signal a revision.

  • Review at the end: Once the audio finishes, confirm that each step aligns with the final version of the speaker’s directions.

3. Confusing Similar Landmarks

What Goes Wrong:
In some diagrams, you might see two towers, multiple courtyards, or several gates that look nearly identical, leading you to place a label on the wrong one.

 

Why It Happens:

  • The speaker might use vague terms like “the tower on the right” without indicating which of two or three towers they mean.

  • Lack of attention to distinguishing descriptions (e.g., “the older tower,” “the second courtyard,” “the smaller gate”).

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Listen for unique identifiers: The speaker may specify a direction (north vs. south gate), an age (old vs. new building), or a relative size (smaller courtyard vs. larger courtyard).

  • Process of elimination: If one tower is described near a river, for instance, ignore all towers not adjacent to the water.

  • Cross-check each label’s location: Before finalizing, ask: “Does it make sense for this courtyard to be next to the entrance if the speaker said it was near the back?”

4. Spelling and Word Limits

What Goes Wrong:
Even if you identify the correct location, you could lose marks by spelling it incorrectly (e.g., “Stables” vs. “Stabble’s”) or by exceeding the stated word limit (e.g., using “lush courtyard garden” when the instructions say “No more than two words”).

 

Why It Happens:

  • Speakers sometimes spell out tricky names or unusual place names, but test-takers might not catch every letter.

  • Inattention to the instructions’ word count (e.g., “No more than three words and/or a number”).

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Focus when the speaker spells a name: Write down each letter as you hear it. If you’re unsure, keep an ear out for repeated spellings or confirm logically with the diagram.

  • Stick to the instructions: If it says “No more than two words,” do not add extra adjectives or synonyms—“Tower C” is acceptable; “Old Tower C” might exceed the limit if you’ve already used another word.

  • Brush up on common place names and descriptors: Terms like “courtyard,” “entrance,” “conservatory,” or “souvenirs” frequently appear in these tasks.

5. Multiple Speakers Explaining the Same Space

What Goes Wrong:
Some Listening passages feature two or more people describing locations, possibly offering different perspectives or correcting each other. You may end up mixing speaker A’s details with speaker B’s clarifications.

 

Why It Happens:

  • You might assume each speaker is giving separate directions for separate features, missing the fact that they’re talking about the same place from different angles.

  • In cross-talk situations, one speaker may correct the other, and you overlook the correction.

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Identify the primary speaker or note when the conversation switches. Listen carefully for “Wait, let me correct you…” or similar phrases.

  • Track each speaker’s viewpoint: Jot down short hints like “S1: says near the fountain; S2: says next to the exit.” Determine which detail is final or overrides the other.

  • Confirm consistency: If both mention the same gate but with different directions, re-check to see if they’re referring to it at different times or from different paths.

6. Similar or Repetitive Features

What Goes Wrong:
A building might have multiple offices, halls, or sections labeled with letters or numbers. You may hear “the second hall on the left” but incorrectly label the first or third hall.

 

Why It Happens:

  • The speaker’s phrasing can be ambiguous, or they might only describe subtle differences like “the bigger office next to the elevator.”

  • Speed and background noise (in real exam conditions) can muddle the exact references.

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Focus on adjectives and comparative terms: “bigger,” “smaller,” “older,” “newer,” “the one near the elevator.”

  • Expect multi-step directions: “Take the corridor to the right, pass one hall, then the second hall is on your left.” Follow each part of the instruction carefully without jumping ahead.

7. No Visual Cues in the Recording

What Goes Wrong:
The speaker may not explicitly use directional words like “turn left” or “go west.” Instead, they might rely on references like “near the big statue” or “across from the lake.” If you don’t link these clues to your diagram, you risk labeling incorrectly.

 

Why It Happens:

  • Test-takers accustomed to hearing direct instructions (left/right/north/south) might not adapt to less obvious references.

  • If the map has no statue or lake explicitly labeled, you may not realize the significance of these references.

 

How to Overcome It:

  • Check the diagram for any unlabeled features: Sometimes the shape of a statue, fountain, or lake is visible even if it’s not named.

  • Match descriptive references with known points: If the speaker says, “You’ll see a large sculpture with a horse,” locate the only sculpture outline on the map.

  • Keep an ear out for synonyms: “Monument” could be referred to as “statue,” “memorial,” or “sculpture.”

Bringing It All Together

By recognizing and preparing for these common mistakes, you’ll be far better equipped to handle Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions during the IELTS Listening test. Make sure to preview the diagram, listen actively, and label in real time while staying attentive for corrections or clarifications.

 

For additional practice and more advanced guidance, our IELTS Listening eBook offers a variety of mock exercises, annotated diagrams, and step-by-step demonstrations specifically designed to help you develop precision and confidence in this question type. With consistent effort and a clear strategy, you can significantly improve your performance and achieve your desired band score.

Five-Step-Strategy for Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions in the IELTS Listening test require you to interpret directional and spatial information quickly and accurately. Below is a detailed approach to help you tackle these questions with confidence. By following each step carefully, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure you place every label in the correct spot.

Step 1. Preview the Visual

Before the audio begins, take a moment to thoroughly examine the map, plan, or diagram:

  1. Identify Key Landmarks or Features

    • Look for existing labels (e.g., “Room A,” “Main Entrance,” “Storage,” “River”).

    • Spot any unique symbols that might be referred to later, such as trees, statues, fountains, or road intersections.

  2. Note Potential Reference Points

    • Identify any main entrances, exits, or corridors that the speaker might use as starting or reference points.

    • Check if there’s a compass direction (e.g., North, South) to help you anticipate directional language like “head east” or “go north.”

  3. Predict Likely Information

    • Think about the context: Is this a floor plan of a building, a map of a public area, or a technical diagram?

    • Ask yourself what the speaker might mention: specific distances (“ten meters away”), relative positions (“opposite the cafe”), or directions (“turn left,” “straight ahead”).

 

Pro Tip: Highlight or circle reference points if allowed. A brief mental or written note about potential routes or vantage points can save you time once the audio starts.

Step 2. Anticipate Common Vocabulary

Since you’re dealing with directions and spatial relationships, it’s crucial to be ready for the language the speaker may use:

  1. Directional Terms

    • “Near,” “next to,” “in front of,” “beyond,” “behind.”

    • For maps, you might hear compass directions like “north,” “south,” “east,” “west.”

  2. Positional Language

    • “On the left,” “on the right,” “at the corner,” “in the center.”

    • You could also encounter levels in a building: “ground floor,” “first floor,” “upstairs,” “downstairs.”

  3. Comparative or Relative Placement

    • “Smaller than,” “larger than,” “across from,” “adjacent to.”

    • These phrases can help you distinguish between two similar locations or objects (e.g., “the smaller courtyard” vs. “the larger courtyard”).

 

Remember: Speakers often paraphrase or use synonyms for common directions. For example, “to the right” might also be phrased as “on your right-hand side.” Being prepared for alternate expressions can prevent confusion.

Step 3. Listen Actively

During the audio, your goal is to stay engaged, visualize the speaker’s instructions, and adapt quickly if anything changes:

  1. Track the Speaker’s Route or Description

    • Pretend you’re walking in the space being described or moving from one point to another.

    • If the speaker says “Walk past the reception area, then turn left,” mentally map these movements on the diagram.

  2. Be Alert for Corrections or Clarifications

    • If the speaker says something like “Actually, let me correct that…” or “I made a mistake…,” this signals a direct revision of previous information.

    • Update your notes or mental image immediately, so you don’t rely on outdated details.

  3. Consider Speaker Hints

    • Sometimes, the speaker may give clues like “You’ll notice two doors on your left,” which can confirm you’re looking at the correct hallway or direction.

    • Listen for hesitations or pauses that might indicate an important clarification is coming next.

 

Tip: Focus on hearing both the location and any additional descriptors (like “the second door,” “the biggest room,” or “the left-hand corner”) to avoid mixing up similar points.

Step 4. Label in Real Time (If Possible)

Don’t wait until the end of the audio to start labeling. Capture the answers as soon as they become clear:

  1. Mark Each Answer Promptly

    • As soon as you’re certain a piece of information corresponds to a specific location, place your label on the diagram.

    • Use abbreviations if you’re short on time—just be sure you can decipher them later if you need to review.

  2. Note Down Possibilities

    • If you’re uncertain, write a quick guess or placeholder. You can confirm or revise it once the speaker finishes describing that location or gives more details.

    • This approach prevents you from missing the next set of instructions because you’re stuck on a single point.

  3. Stay Calm with Multiple Clues

    • If the speaker rapidly lists several features, try to label them in order. If you miss one, skip it temporarily and label the next one, then return if time allows.

 

Insider Advice: Practice labeling mock diagrams or maps with recordings from our IELTS Listening eBook, where we provide high-quality sample audios and illustrate exactly how to keep pace with the speaker’s instructions.

Step 5. Double-Check Consistency

When the audio is over, you often have a brief window to verify your answers:

  1. Cross-Referencing

    • Revisit each label. Does “near the entrance” truly align with the labeled entrance on the diagram, or did you mistake it for another doorway?

    • Check if any two labels contradict each other based on the instructions.

  2. Look for Logical Flow

    • If the speaker described a route going from A to B to C, make sure the sequence on your diagram reflects that path.

    • Confirm that none of your labels are reversed or placed on the wrong side of a landmark.

  3. Spelling and Word Limit

    • Ensure you’ve spelled everything correctly, especially if the speaker spelled out specific names or terms.

    • Verify that you haven’t exceeded any word limit (e.g., “No more than two words”).

 

Example: If the speaker explicitly mentioned “C-A-F-E” is spelled “C-A-F-E,” writing “cafe” is acceptable. However, adding an extra descriptor like “cozy cafe” could violate a 2-word limit, costing you marks.

 

By following these five steps—Preview, Anticipate, Listen Actively, Label in Real Time, and Double-Check—you’ll develop a systematic approach that can handle even the most complex Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions.

 

Remember: Consistent practice is key. In addition to official IELTS past papers, our IELTS Listening eBook provides fully annotated diagrams, realistic audio tracks, and step-by-step demonstrations on how to apply these strategies under test-like conditions. This hands-on experience will help you gain the speed, accuracy, and confidence needed for high-band performance in your IELTS Listening test.

Examples: Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening

In the following examples, we’ll walk you through two real test scenarios, breaking down the strategies to tackle these tasks step by step. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to approach Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling questions with confidence. For more practice and expert tips, don’t forget to check out our IELTS Listening eBook, which covers all question types in detail to help you achieve your target band score.

Example 1: Cambridge IELTS 14 (Test 2)

Play Audio

 

Audio Transcript

“Now if you can take a look at your plans you’ll see Branley Castle has four towers, joined together by a high wall, with the river on two sides.

 

Don’t miss seeing the Great Hall. That’s near the river in the main tower, the biggest one, which was extended and redesigned in the eighteenth century.

 

If you want to get a good view of the whole castle, you can walk around the walls. The starting point’s quite near the main entrance – walk straight down the path until you get to the south gate, and it’s just there. Don’t go on to the north gate – there’s no way up from there.

 

There’ll shortly be a show in which you can see archers displaying their skill with a bow and arrow. The quickest way to get there is to take the first left after the main entrance and follow the path past the bridge, then you’ll see it in front of you at the end.

 

If you like animals there’s also a display of hunting birds – falcons and eagles and so on. If you go from the main entrance in the direction of the south gate, but turn right before you get there instead of going through it, you’ll see it on your right past the first tower.

 

At 3 pm there’s a short performance of traditional dancing on the outdoor stage. That’s right at the other side of the castle from the entrance, and over the bridge. It’s about ten minutes’ walk or so.

 

And finally the shop. It’s actually inside one of the towers, but the way in is from the outside. Just take the first left after the main entrance, go down the path and take the first right. It’s got some lovely gifts and souvenirs.

 

Right, so we’re just arriving …”

Examples: Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening

16   Starting point for walking the walls  ………………

17   Bow and arrow display …..

18   Hunting birds display …..

19   Traditional dancing …………

20   Shop  ………………

 

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of how to arrive at the correct answers (16–20) for the Branley Castle plan-labelling task, based on the provided audio transcript.

Detailed Answers and Explanations (Questions 16–20)

The diagram shows eight possible labels (A–H). According to the instructions, you must match each feature (Questions 16–20) with the correct letter on the map.

 

Question 16: Starting point for walking the walls

Transcript clue:

“If you want to get a good view of the whole castle, you can walk around the walls. The starting point’s quite near the main entrance – walk straight down the path until you get to the south gate, and it’s just there. Don’t go on to the north gate – there’s no way up from there.”

  1. From the main entrance, you walk straight until reaching the south gate.

  2. The “starting point” for walking the walls is located right there, near the south gate but not the gate itself.

  3. On the map, the point that aligns with this location is H.

Answer (Q16): H
(“Starting point for walking the walls” is H, just by the south gate.)

 

Question 17: Bow and arrow display

Transcript clue:

“There’ll shortly be a show in which you can see archers displaying their skill with a bow and arrow. The quickest way to get there is to take the first left after the main entrance and follow the path past the bridge, then you’ll see it in front of you at the end.”

  1. From the main entrance, you turn left and keep going past the bridge.

  2. Once you’ve crossed, the show area is “in front of you at the end,” which aligns with label D on the west side of the diagram.

Answer (Q17): D
(“Bow and arrow display” is at D, reached by going left from the entrance and over the bridge.)

 

Question 18: Hunting birds display

Transcript clue:

“If you like animals there’s also a display of hunting birds – falcons and eagles and so on. If you go from the main entrance in the direction of the south gate, but turn right before you get there instead of going through it, you’ll see it on your right past the first tower.”

  1. Again, start at the main entrance, head toward the south gate, but turn right before actually going through the gate.

  2. This path leads around the interior section; the transcript says you’ll find the display “on your right, past the first tower.”

  3. On the map, that location corresponds to F (slightly to the interior side from the south gate).

Answer (Q18): F
(“Hunting birds display” is at F, reached by turning right before the south gate and going past the first tower.)

 

Question 19: Traditional dancing

Transcript clue:

“At 3 pm there’s a short performance of traditional dancing on the outdoor stage. That’s right at the other side of the castle from the entrance, and over the bridge. It’s about ten minutes’ walk or so.”

  1. “The other side of the castle from the entrance” plus “over the bridge” indicates crossing the river on the top/right side of the plan.

  2. The label on the upper-right bridge is A.

Answer (Q19): A
(“Traditional dancing” is performed at A, across the upper-right bridge from the entrance.)

 

Question 20: Shop

Transcript clue:

“It’s actually inside one of the towers, but the way in is from the outside. Just take the first left after the main entrance, go down the path and take the first right. It’s got some lovely gifts and souvenirs.”

  1. From the main entrance, turn left but don’t continue over the bridge this time.

  2. You take the first right off that path.

  3. The tower marked E on the diagram is accessible from the outside path in that manner.

Answer (Q20): E
(“Shop” is at E, located inside a tower entered from an exterior path.)

Example 2: Cambridge IELTS 19 (Test 1)

Play Audio

 

Audio Transcript

“Now on Sunday, we’ll be taking our visitors to Farley House. You may not all be familiar with it, so here’s a map to help you. You can see the car park at the bottom of the map. There’s an excellent farm shop in the grounds where our visitors can buy local produce – it’s in the old stables, which is the first building you come to. They’re built round a courtyard, and the shop’s in the far corner on the left. There’s also a small café on the right as you go in.

 

I know that one or two of our visitors may not be all that mobile. The main entrance to the house has a lot of steps so you might want to use the disabled entry. This is on the far side of the house from the car park.

 

Children will probably be most interested in the adventure playground. That’s at the northern end of the larger lake, in a bend on the path that leads to the lake. There’s lots for children to do there.

 

There are a number of lovely gardens near the house. The kitchen gardens are rectangular and surrounded by a wall. They’re to the north-east of the house, quite near the smaller lake. They’re still in use and have a great collection of fruit and vegetables.

 

The Temple of the Four Winds is a bit more of a walk – but it’s worth it. Take the path from the car park and go past the western sides of the stables and the house. Then when the path forks, take the right-hand path. Go up there with the woods on your left and the temple is right at the end. There are great views over the whole area.”

 

OK, so that’s . . .”

​

Questions 16–20

Label the map below.

Write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 16–20.

Examples: Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening

16   Farm shop   ……………

17   Disabled entry   ……………

18   Adventure playground….......

19   Kitchen gardens   ……………

20   The Temple of the Four Winds   ……………

 

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to answering Questions 16–20 on the Farley House plan‐labelling task, based on the provided audio transcript. We will also explore the common challenges associated with Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling in IELTS Listening and offer practical strategies to help you master this question type.

Detailed Answers and Explanations (Questions 16–20)

According to the instructions, you need to match each location (16–20) with the correct label (A–H) on the provided map. Here’s how to arrive at each correct answer:

 

Question 16: Farm shop

Transcript Clue:

“There’s an excellent farm shop in the grounds where our visitors can buy local produce – it’s in the old stables, which is the first building you come to. They’re built round a courtyard, and the shop’s in the far corner on the left. There’s also a small café on the right as you go in.”

  1. From the car park at the bottom of the map, the first building you encounter is the stables, built around a courtyard.

  2. The shop is on the left side of this courtyard, whereas a café is on the right.

  3. On the map, the label that corresponds to this part of the stables’ far-left corner is G.

Answer (Q16): G
(“Farm shop” is at G, tucked into the far-left corner of the stables’ courtyard.)

 

Question 17: Disabled entry

Transcript Clue:

“I know that one or two of our visitors may not be all that mobile. The main entrance to the house has a lot of steps so you might want to use the disabled entry. This is on the far side of the house from the car park.”

  1. The main entrance (with many steps) is likely on the side of the house facing the car park.

  2. The disabled entry is therefore on the opposite (far) side of the house.

  3. Checking the map, the label C is on the house’s side away from the car park—making it the best fit for this description.

Answer (Q17): C
(“Disabled entry” is at C, located around the back/far side of the house relative to the car park.)

 

Question 18: Adventure playground

Transcript Clue:

“Children will probably be most interested in the adventure playground. That’s at the northern end of the larger lake, in a bend on the path that leads to the lake.”

  1. Look for the larger lake on the map.

  2. The northern end of this lake is where the playground sits, “in a bend on the path.”

  3. Label B on the map is positioned near the top (northern side) of the larger lake along a curving path.

Answer (Q18): B
(“Adventure playground” is at B, in the bend of the path by the northern shore of the larger lake.)

 

Question 19: Kitchen gardens

Transcript Clue:

“They’re to the north-east of the house, quite near the smaller lake. They’re still in use and have a great collection of fruit and vegetables.”

  1. The kitchen gardens are rectangular, surrounded by a wall, and located northeast of the house.

  2. On the map, the smaller lake is likely on the eastern or northeastern side.

  3. The label D corresponds to a walled, rectangular area to the northeast of the house, near the smaller lake.

Answer (Q19): D
(“Kitchen gardens” are at D, the walled rectangle northeast of the house near the smaller lake.)

 

Question 20: The Temple of the Four Winds

Transcript Clue:

“Take the path from the car park and go past the western sides of the stables and the house. Then when the path forks, take the right-hand path. Go up there with the woods on your left and the temple is right at the end.”

  1. The directions mention going west around the stables and house, then taking the right-hand fork, with woods on your left.

  2. This route leads to the Temple of the Four Winds, which is found at the edge of the property.

  3. The label A is placed at the end of the path in the top-left/western area on the map, consistent with the instructions.

Answer (Q20): A
(“Temple of the Four Winds” is at A, reached by heading west from the car park, then taking the right-hand path through the woods.)

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Mastering Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling will significantly contribute to your overall IELTS Listening band score—and the skills you acquire will serve you long after the exam. By training yourself to decode spatial and directional language under timed conditions, you’ll find it easier to adapt to different question types, manage your time more effectively, and stay calm during high-pressure listening scenarios.

 

Keep practicing with high-quality resources, stay consistent in applying the strategies outlined here, and remember to supplement your studies with comprehensive materials—like our IELTS Listening eBook—for even more in-depth guidance. You’ve got all the tools to succeed; now, it’s a matter of putting them into action and watching your Listening skills soar!

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