IELTS Answer Rules: Word Limits, Spelling, Numbers and Hyphens

In Listening and Reading, a correct idea can still score zero if the answer breaks the rules. These rules apply to every gap-fill and short-answer question: form, note, table and flow-chart completion, sentence completion, summary completion, diagram labelling and short answer.

The word limit

Each set of questions tells you the maximum length, for example:

• ONE WORD ONLY
• ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER
• NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
• NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER

Going over the limit loses the mark, even if the right words are inside your answer. "AND/OR A NUMBER" means you may add one number as well as the words, or write just the number.

Instruction	Answer	Mark?
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS	solar panels	Yes
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS	the solar panels	No: three words
ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER	3 kilometres	Yes
ONE WORD ONLY	mid-afternoon	Yes: hyphenated counts as one

How words are counted

• Hyphenated words count as one word: full-time, well-being, twenty-five.
• Numbers count as a number, not a word, when the instruction allows a number: 250, 1998, 7.30.
• Contractions (don't, it's) are not tested, so you don't need to worry about how they count.
• Articles count. a, an and the are words. Leave them out unless the grammar of the gap needs them and the limit allows them.

Numbers, dates and times

• You can write numbers as figures or words: 14 and fourteen are both accepted. Figures are quicker and avoid spelling errors.
• Dates can be written in common formats such as 3 May or May 3rd. Avoid all-number dates like 3/5, which can be read two ways.
• Times can be written as 4.30, 4:30 or half past four.
• Prices and units: write the unit if the gap needs it and the question has not already printed it next to the box. If the form shows £ ______, write only 45.

Spelling and grammar

• Spelling must be correct. A misspelt answer is marked wrong in both Listening and Reading.
• In Listening, names and codes are often spelt out letter by letter. Write exactly what you hear.
• Your answer must fit the grammar of the sentence. If the gap needs a plural noun, volunteer instead of volunteers is wrong.
• British and American spellings (colour / color) are widely reported to be accepted. In Reading, copying the spelling used in the passage is the safest choice.
• Capital letters are generally not marked, but writing names with a capital costs nothing.

Reading: use the words from the text

For Reading completion tasks, the answer must come from the passage (or from the word box, if one is given). Don't change the word form or swap in a synonym: if the passage says reduction, decrease will be marked wrong. When a word box is given, choose from the box only.

Listening: answers follow the recording

In Listening, answers come in the same order as the recording. On the computer test you type answers directly as you listen and then get two minutes to check them. There is no extra copying time, so use those two minutes for spelling and word limits. See the computer-delivered test screen.

Quick checklist

1. Under or at the word limit?
2. Spelt exactly right?
3. Fits the grammar of the gap (singular or plural, verb form)?
4. Reading: copied from the passage or box, not paraphrased?
5. Not left blank? There is no penalty for a wrong answer.

Related guides

• IELTS band scores explained
• IELTS Listening: complete guide
• IELTS Reading: complete guide

Sources

• IELTS, Academic Listening format
• IELTS, Academic Reading format
• IDP, How computer-delivered IELTS works