Word Count in IELTS

In the IELTS Listening and reading module, paying attention to the word count rules and word count in IELTS is very important. Each question will have instructions for you regarding how many words and numbers you can be using in your answer.

If you tend to write more than that, your answer will be marked wrong, even when the meaning of it is correct. Many candidates lose their marks as they do not follow the word limit properly. Moreover, to practice word count, you can try to take one of our IELTS listening practice tests as well.

All in all, understand and follow these rules of counting words in IELTS given for you in detail below to make zero errors as you write your answers!

About Counting Words Questions

Most of the IELTS Listening questions have either one of the lines that you see in the below given example instructions. Take a look at them first.

Example:

• Complete the form below. Write ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer’
• Complete each of the following sentences with TWO WORDS.
• Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

So now, how do you count the words for your answer as mentioned in the instruction? How do you know if your answer is one word or two words?

You count, of course.

But how would you count – $20.80 or Mother-in-law ?

Here’s how!

Word count list

1. X-ray

This is counted as one word. A hyphenated word is always counted as one no matter how many hyphens you have in that word.

2. 22nd November

This is counted as two words in writing, whereas one number and one word in listening tests.

3. Whiteboard

This is counted as one word.

4. $ 30.80

This is counted as one number. The symbol is not taken into consideration.

5. 27%

This is counted as one word in writing and one number in listening.

6. 1990’s

This is counted as one word in writing and one number in listening.

7. In the canteen

This is counted as three words.

8. 1 pm

This is counted as one word in writing and one number in listening. The word ‘pm’ does not stand as a word alone and hence isn’t counted.

9. Isn’t

This is counted as one word. Although ‘Is not’ might be two words, it contracts to become one, thus any word with an apostrophe is a single word.

Also check :

• IELTS Listening Answer Sheet
• IELTS listening recent actual test
• IELTS Listening tips

Practice Exercise

Try to answer the following questions with the knowledge you have acquired so far.

1. 1970s
2. On the table
3. Blackboard
4. she’d
5. 78 rs
6. 1st July
7. Merry-go-round
8. Wasn’t

Answers

1. One number
2. Three words
3. One word
4. One word
5. One number
6. One word One number
7. One word
8. One word

Make Your Listening Skills Stand Out with IELTSMaterial

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