SELT Practice
IELTS Life Skills B1 sample test and listening practice
An IELTS Life Skills B1 sample test has four phases and lasts no more than 22 minutes. IELTS publishes two samples, and this page links to them, as of 10 November 2026. It also gives you our own B1 tasks with example answers, including listening practice, so you can practise at home.
What the published B1 sample test looks like
IELTS says the Life Skills test takes around 20 minutes and that you take it with one examiner and one other test taker (IELTS format page). The B1 sample test frame says it should not be longer than 22 minutes. It has four phases, as of 10 November 2026.
| Phase | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | 3 minutes | The examiner asks your name and nationality. Then you and the other candidate ask each other about an assigned topic for 2 minutes. |
| 1b | 7 minutes | You each prepare for 1 minute, then talk for about 1.5 minutes. The other candidate listens and asks three questions. Then you swap. |
| 2a | 5 minutes | You listen to two recordings. You each answer a main idea question, then two detail questions after the second play. |
| 2b | 7 minutes | You plan something together for about 3 minutes with a task sheet, then discuss a related topic for about 4 minutes. |
Source: the IELTS B1 sample test A frame (PDF on ielts.org). The sample PDF includes a short key for the phase 2a questions. The fee and result time are not confirmed here, so check the test centre.
Get the published sample tests
IELTS publishes two sample tests, A and B, for B1, with audio. We link to them but do not copy them. Practise with them first if you can.
All links are on the IELTS Life Skills sample questions page.
Our own sample tasks with example answers
These tasks are our own, written for practice. They follow the same kind of phases but are not IELTS questions. Each one is a free item you can also try with the AI examiner. The answers are examples at B1, not the only good answer.
Phase 1a: personal questions
Our task: Health and fitness. The examiner asks your name and where you are from. Then you ask the other candidate how they keep healthy, and they ask you. Example answers:
How do you keep healthy?
“I walk to work and I try to eat fresh food, because it makes me feel better.”
Have you ever played any sport?
“Yes, I've played badminton since I was a child. I play on Saturdays.”
What would you like to change?
“I'd like to sleep more because I often go to bed late.”
What will you do about it?
“I'll switch off my phone at ten o'clock from next week.”
Phase 1b: questions and a short talk
Our task: A person who helped you. You have 1 minute to prepare and about 1.5 minutes to talk. Points to cover: who the person is, how you met, how they helped you, how you feel about it, and what you have done to say thank you. The other candidate then asks you three questions. Example answers to such questions:
How often do you see this person now?
“I see her almost every day, because she lives next door.”
What is the most important thing this person did for you?
“She helped me with the forms for my son's school.”
Have you helped this person too?
“Yes, I sometimes do her shopping when it's icy outside.”
Tip: prepare key words only, not sentences. Use the time words “first”, “then” and “now”. See also the other candidate page.
Phase 2a: listening
Our task: Parcel and concert. This is B1 listening practice. You hear two messages: a delivery message and a phone message about a concert. First listen on our practice page: B1 phase 2a practice. Then compare your answers.
Parcel message:
What is the message about? (a parcel that has been lost / where to collect a parcel / a new delivery charge)
“Where to collect a parcel.”
Where is the parcel now?
“At the post office on Mill Lane.”
What must the customer bring?
“Photo ID and the card from the door.”
Concert message:
Why is Dan calling? (to arrange to meet before a concert / to cancel a concert / to ask about a bus fare)
“To arrange to meet before a concert.”
What time should they meet?
“Half past six.”
Why does he suggest going by bus?
“Because parking is expensive.”
Tip: in the first listening, find the main idea. In the second, listen for times, places and reasons.
Phase 2b: talk and decide together
Our task: Improving the neighbourhood. Residents are planning to improve a small empty area. Decide what to do. Talk about who to ask for permission, how to raise money and how to get volunteers. Then the examiner may ask a related question about neighbours. Example answers:
What should we build?
“A community garden would be best because everyone can enjoy it.”
How can we raise money?
“We could have a cake sale and ask the council for some help.”
How can neighbours help each other?
“They can offer to do shopping or give a lift to the doctor.”
What would make your area better?
“I think more benches and better street lights would help.”
Tip: give an idea, ask for your partner's idea, and agree on one plan together.
Practise each part
The AI examiner can also play the other candidate, so you can practise alone. See the IELTS Life Skills B1 page for the whole test and the other candidate page. Not sure of your level? Try the free level check.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for your situation before you book.
How long is the IELTS Life Skills B1 sample test?
The B1 sample test frame says it should not be longer than 22 minutes. The phases are about 3, 7, 5 and 7 minutes.
Where can I find IELTS Life Skills B1 listening practice?
IELTS publishes audio for sample tests A and B on its Life Skills sample questions page. You can also use our own B1 listening task above, and the free practice on our phase 2a page.
Are your sample tasks real IELTS questions?
No. They are our own original tasks, written for practice. They follow the same kind of phases, but we do not use or recall real test questions.