Listening Part 3: Hearing Agreement, Hesitation and Change of Mind
In this lesson you learn to recognise the signals of agreement, hesitation and change of mind in Part 3 student discussions, catch self-correction phrases in time and avoid the misleading answers.
6 min read · Updated 10/23/2026
Contents
Why Part 3 Tests Attitude, Not Just Facts
In Part 3 of IELTS Listening, two or three people usually discuss a topic in a university context: a research project, a seminar paper or the plan for a presentation. Speakers may propose an idea, question it or correct a detail; some ideas are accepted and others rejected. For example, one person may make a suggestion, another agree, then later change the decision with Actually.... The first suggestion is not automatically a distractor. Follow each speaker's position and identify the information that actually answers the question. Take notes like this:
- Keep a separate column for each speaker.
- Update a note when the relevant information is explicitly corrected or a decision is confirmed.
- Choose the answer supported by the question and dialogue, rather than automatically taking the first or last version.
Core Language of Academic Discussion
These expressions can help you follow agreement, objections or changes of opinion in an academic discussion. The table gives common examples, not a guaranteed set in every Part 3 dialogue:
| Phrase | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Actually... | In fact... (an objection or a change of opinion) | Actually, I think we should survey more students. |
| I'm not sure that's right. | I'm not convinced that this is correct. | I'm not sure that's right — the study covered only first-year students. |
| That's a good point, but... | You're right, but... | That's a good point, but we haven't got time for fieldwork. |
| I see what you mean, yet... | I understand what you mean, but still... | I see what you mean, yet the budget won't allow it. |
| Fair enough. | You're right, I agree. | Fair enough — we'll start with the literature review. |
| Shall we...? | Let's ...? (a suggestion) | Shall we divide the tasks between us? |
Important nuance: but, yet, though, however can signal a qualification or disagreement, but do not by themselves identify the answer. Listen to the whole sentence and connect it with the question and the dialogue's context. Do not select an answer solely because it comes after "but".
Hesitation and Self-Correction Signals
Hesitation may indicate uncertainty or time to think; it does not guarantee a correction. Listen for what the speaker actually confirms:
Well...,Hmm...,Let me think— signals of hesitation or thinking; the next sentence is not automatically the answer.Sorry, I mean...andor rather...— may signal a correction of a word or number: Let's meet at five — sorry, six. Use the corrected number when it answers the question.On second thoughts...— may signal a change of mind; check which part of the plan changes.Having said that...— the earlier view partly stays, but is limited.- A long pause,
er...,um...— is not proof of a correction. Keep listening for the relevant information.
Working rule: identify which information the question asks for, then check whether that detail is explicitly corrected or confirmed.
Annotated Transcript Walkthrough
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