Six free listening worksheet formats for ESL and language teachers. Choose a format, pick a topic, select your images - or hit Autofill - and print. Works with the free 123 Listening audio files, MES English online flashcard audio, or any script you read aloud yourself.
Why image-based listening worksheets? Image-based formats let teachers assess listening comprehension even when students cannot write yet - or when their writing and spelling skills are still developing. Young learners can point, circle or draw a line without needing to produce any written English. As students progress, the formats gradually introduce writing, so the same core listening activity grows with the class.
Choose a worksheet format
Choose from 2 pictures
Students listen and circle the correct picture from 2 choices. 10 questions. No writing required.
Beginner
Choose from 3 pictures
Students listen and circle the correct picture from 3 choices. 10 questions. More challenging than 2-picture format.
Elementary
Choose 2 pictures and write
Students circle the correct picture from 2 choices then write the answer on the line. 10 questions.
Elementary
Connect the picture to the number
Students draw a line from the matching picture to the numbered answer. 13 images, 10 questions. No writing required.
Elementary
Connect the picture and write
Students draw a line to the correct picture and write the answer on the line. 13 images, 10 questions.
Intermediate
Word bank - write the answer
Students write the answer using a word bank of images and words below. 10 questions, up to 15 word bank entries including distractors.
IntermediateAbout the difficulty levels
Elementary Limited or no writing. 3 choices or spaghetti-string connect format. Students need basic vocabulary recognition.
Intermediate Greater amount of choices with writing optional (but suggested.) Students identify and spell the answer.
Advanced No picture clues. Students write the answer from listening alone.
Audio options for these worksheets
Your own script
Read any vocabulary or description aloud. Works with any topic and any level of detail - from a single word to a full paragraph.
MES English online audio
At MES English online flashcards, clicking or tapping any image plays the audio for that word. Use it live in class without preparing a script in advance.
123 Listening free audio files
There are 4-5 downloadable audio files for each of 28 topics, covering vocabulary drills, present continuous, past tense and more. Browse all 28 audio topics ›
Ways to use these worksheets
Simple vocabulary
Say the word and students find the matching picture. "Number 1 - a lion." Works from the very first lesson with any age group.
Descriptive sentences
Describe the item without naming it. "This is a dangerous animal with a mane." Students identify the answer from context - great for higher-order listening.
Longer scripts
Build multi-sentence listening tasks. "Yesterday afternoon I played tennis in the park." Students circle tennis and write "at the park."
Writing extension
For the write-format worksheets, students write the word during the test - or look it up afterwards as a separate vocabulary activity.
Write the answer
The ultimate goal - students listen and write the answer with no picture clues at all. 10 questions, 10 blank lines. Works with any of the free audio files on this site.
Use this when students are ready to show they can hear, understand, and produce the written form independently.
AdvancedAutofill
Every maker has an Autofill button that randomly fills all image slots from the current category in one click. A full 10-question worksheet in seconds - you can still swap individual images before printing.
Works for any language
The image-based format is language-neutral. Teachers use these worksheets for French, Spanish, German, Japanese and more - just read your script in any language.
Powered by Tools for Educators
These worksheet makers are built on Tools for Educators, which has 15+ printable classroom activity types - bingo cards, board games, crosswords, dice, word searches, dominoes and more - all using the same image library.
