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Do I lose a mark for spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test?

In one of the listening questions I wrote "aquipment", instead of "equipment"...that's a spelling mistake and does it mean that i lose a mark?



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Oct 31, 2012
 Spelling Mistakes - IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

Yes, unfortunately if you make a spelling mistake in the IELTS listening you will not get a mark for that question.

Spelling has to be correct.

Thanks
Jun 29, 2013
 Spelling mistakes during listening test
by: Tom

Hi there,

According to British council:

Errors in spelling and grammar are only accepted on very uncommon words. Answers require notes, letters or numbers rather than complete sentences.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-ielts-listening-intro.html
Sep 05, 2013
 ielts listening errors
by: Anonymous

i wrote carbon-di-oxide in listening test on ielts exam so will i get marks for that. it was suppose to be carbon di oxide but i used that symbols so will i get marks for that
Jul 19, 2014
 linstening test
by: Anonymous

hi there do I lose marks in listening for spelling like i wrote 'trainning' instead of 'training'
Jul 26, 2014
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: IELTS buddy

Yes, the spelling must be correct.
Aug 04, 2014
 IELTS EXAM MISTAKE
by: Anonymous

i wrote in ielts exam HELICOPTOR instead of HELICOPTER ..would i loss the marks in exam?? plz reply.
Aug 04, 2014
 Wrong spelling in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

Hi, yes it will be wrong. The spelling must be correct.
Aug 06, 2014
 Spelling-Listening test
by: Guilherme

I understand that spelling must be correct. But, if I put "ranges" instead of "range", will I loose the mark? You, see... it's only a matter of plural/singular. Thank you in advance
Aug 12, 2014
 singular / plural
by: IELTS buddy

Yes, you must get it right - singular or plural. If you are wrong you will not get the mark.
Sep 20, 2014
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Karthik

Actually in my exam answer booklet I wrote eassyes instead of eassys, whether I'll get marks for that or I'll lose the marks
Sep 25, 2014
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: IELTS buddy

Both of those are wrong so you will not get the mark. You must spell correctly.
Oct 13, 2014
 IELTS American VS British English
by: DimiDim

Hello,

My question is whether spelling a word the american way instead of the british one may cost me the mark?

To be more specific, in the IELTS Listening test I took a couple of days ago, I wrote "behavior", and not "behaviour" as it is common within the UK. Is that completely wrong or I stand a chance of not losing the mark?
Oct 19, 2014
 IELTS American VS British English
by: IELTS buddy

Hi DimiDim,

Either are ok. This is from the official IELTS website:

"IELTS recognises both British and American English in terms of spelling, grammar and choice of words".
Oct 19, 2014
 Time and Money doubt
by: Guilherme

On an answer in the listening test has a difference between from "6:55pm" to "6:55"?

And when we talk about money: if I put just "1" instead of "$1" is wrong?

So, what is the way to write an answer when the subject is money and time? Thank You.
Oct 20, 2014
 miss to put word
by: rz

Sometimes i got the meaning of the conversations. But sometimes when i answered a question, i put not exactly the same with the answer key.
For example, in a question that ask for advantages to stay in one area,
I put : Low price
Answer key: prices are low

I put : far
Answer key: too far
(In the Conversation we heard "rather far from the university)

I put: commercial area
Answer key: mainly commercial area

Please help me to find out these case. Even though i am going to take the test this friday, this typical case really makes me confused. Thanks
Oct 22, 2014
 Listening Test
by: IELTS buddy

Guilherme,

You have to look and see what is required in the gap. For example:

$ ___ = you must only write "1" because the dollar sign is there. "$1" would be wrong.

_____ = write $1.

Same for times.

rz,

You must put down exactly what they say when they are speaking. So if they said "prices are low" then you must write that. Anything else will be wrong.

Are you using the real IELTS Tests from Cambridge to practice with?

Any tests are good for practice, but you can be sure the answers in these books are correct. If you are using some other books it may be possible that the answer key is not exactly as it should be.

Thanks
Oct 23, 2014
 ILS Listening spellings
by: Sandra

HI,

Is it correct to spell "Satellite" or "Satelite"

If u use in the IELTS Listening as satellite, would it be wrong?
Oct 25, 2014
 IELTS Listening spellings
by: IELTS

Hi,

The correct spelling is "Satellite" so "Satelite" would get marked as wrong.

Spelling must be correct in the IELTS Listening Test.
Oct 31, 2014
 one word answers
by: Anonymous

We have to answer in one word here.

1.You can go over the _____ and then into the wooden area.

The answer I heard was "foot bridge"), which is 2 words... but I am suppose to write only one word.... when I checked the key its written as single word "footbridge".

2. On your way back you can also go up to the _____.

similarly the answer here is "view point" .. which again is 2 words.. but in answer sheet it was written as single word "viewpoint".

This is from IELTS 6 cambridge book Listening test 3.
Nov 02, 2014
 one word answers
by: IELTS buddy

But 'footbridge' and 'viewpoint' are both one word.

So the Cambridge book is correct.

I am not sure what your confusion is?
Nov 15, 2014
 Using $ in one word fill in the blank question
by: Waza

Can I write $1 in a one word fill in the blanks question or am I supposed to write 1.

The question actually didn't have any $ signs. Pls let me know.

thanks
Nov 18, 2014
 Using $ in one word fill in the blank question
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Waza,

Which book was that in?

If it says "$1" in the listening and there is no dollar sign on the page, then you must write "$1"

If there is a dollar sign then you should write "1".

Did it definitely say "only write one word"? Could this be an error in the book?

Or did it say "one word and / or a number". That would mean you could write a word and a number i.e. 1 dollar or $1.
Nov 20, 2014
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Windrella

Do i have to spell out numbers?

The instructions say write "no more than three words" and there is no mention about numbers. So if the answer is "200" do i write "200" or "two hundred"?
Nov 25, 2014
 Do i have to spell out numbers?
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Windrella,

Are some of the answers numbers? If so, it seems odd that it would not say "..and / or a number" in the instructions.

Is it an official Cambridge IELTS book?

If not, maybe it is an error. It would always give you a choice if it could be either.
Jan 15, 2015
 A/AN/THE
by: belgi

Hi,

I did not take exam yet but will soon. I wonder that if i dont write a/an/the, would it be a reason for losing mark?

For example cd says "a summary" and i wrote "summary".
Jan 16, 2015
 missing articles - the, a, an
by: IELTS buddy

Hi belgi,

Yes, you would lose the mark if it is necessary. The answer must be grammatically correct, so if the sentence is wrong without it, it will be wrong.
Jan 31, 2015
 capital or small letters
by: gurpreet singh

I spell cafe in answer sheet of ielts
My question is small c in this case is correct or not
Feb 01, 2015
 Capitals
by: IELTS buddy

Hi gurpreet,

Yes it would be small 'c' as long as it is not the name of a cafe such as 'Sun Cafe' for example.
Feb 13, 2015
 meter/metre
by: Lexie

Hi, if the answer key is 1.25 metre, but I wrote 1.25 meter, would that be considered wrong? (meter is the American way of spelling metre)
Feb 16, 2015
 meter/metre
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Lexie,

IELTS except British or US spelling so it would be ok.
Feb 18, 2015
 Do i loose the score if I make a mistake
by: Anonymous

Do I lose the score completely if I make a mistake in reading and listening? Is there any "half-point" i get if my answer is partially correct? Thanks
Feb 18, 2015
 Do i loose the score if I make a mistake
by: IELTS buddy

No there are no half points. It is either right or wrong.
Mar 12, 2015
 write the digits or spelling
by: spartans

When the answer is a number, do I have to write out only the digits or spell the number? ie: 10 steps or ten steps?
Mar 12, 2015
 numbers and capital letters
by: Annie

Hello,

I was wondering if "1 month" and "one month" would both be considered correct? And also, if I write the date of birth, e.g. 31 March 1984, while the answer sheet only has 31 March, is it a mistake? Furthermore, can we use just capital/small letters to avoid mistakes like Dunhill road (instead of Road) or would it also be marked down?

Thank you for your kind help,
Best wishes.
Mar 13, 2015
 Writing out numbers in the IELTS Listening Test
by: IELTS buddy

Hi spartans,

If it is a number, such as for an address, you can write it either way - 10 or ten.
Mar 13, 2015
 capitals or small letters
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Annie,

If the answer does not have 1984 in then it must be wrong but you'd really have to identify the actual test it came from in order for this to be checked.

Regarding using capital letters - on another forum post someone pasted a response from British Council that said you are not penalised for missing capitals. Also you can write all in capitals.

So if that is correct, then writing everything in small or capital letters would be ok.

I can't verify the post though.
Apr 13, 2015
 answer mistakes
by: Anonymous

in listining test will my answer be correct if i write
1 class room for classroom
or 2 interview for interviews
or 3 Department for department
or4 27 january 1973 for 27.01.1973
Apr 14, 2015
 Spelling error
by: Vaibhav

i spelt strenuous as strenious, whats the magnitude of this. I need a band 8 in writing
Apr 17, 2015
 answer mistakes
by: IELTS buddy

1 class room for classroom - Likely wrong as what you wrote is the incorrect use of the word

2 interview for interviews - Likely wrong - if they needed a plural answer then this is what should be written down

3 Department for department - should be ok as it says on the official IELTS site that you can use small or capital letters

4 27 january 1973 for 27.01.1973 - should be ok as either way is a correct way to give a date
Apr 17, 2015
 Spelling error - strenuous
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Vaibhav,

You do not get the mark for incorrect spelling.

You can check the conversion of raw scores to bands at the bottom of this page.

If you get 4 or 5 wrong you could still get a band 8.
Apr 21, 2015
 listening
by: Anonymous

Hello IELTS BUDDY,
Will I get penalised if i write 323,50 pounds instead of 323.50? If I write 12.000 instead of 12,000? Are they not accepted as European alternatives?
Apr 21, 2015
 Measurements
by: IELTS buddy

Sorry but I do not really understand what you mean about 323,50 pounds instead of 323.50 or 12.000 instead of 12,000?

Are you talking about weight measurements?

What was the question or the sentence with the gap?
Apr 21, 2015
 Listening Test
by: Anonymous

OHH I apologise for this inconvenience! It was about money at the first part of the listening and the 12.000 is attributed to the number of years. (12.000 years old plant). I used European punctuation as you can see. Instead of 323.50 british pounds I wrote 323,50 and instead of 12,000 years I wrote 12.000. Will I be penalised?

Thank you and once more I am sorry.
Apr 21, 2015
 listening test
by: Anonymous

Let me clarify it more. At the first part of the listening test i had to fill an amount of money at the gap. The correct answer was 323.50 pounds. Instead as i am Greek, i used European currency punctuation and i wrote 323,50 pounds.In addition, i did the same at another part. The correct answer was 12,000 years and i filled 12.000 years in the space. Will i get penalised?
Thank you IELTS buddy
Apr 22, 2015
 measurements
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

My guess to be honest is that they would be wrong, as putting 12.000 could look like 12 years (the dot being a decimal place), not 12,000.

And we use dot for money, not comma.

So you are not using the correct way of writing numbers - remember IELTS is based on British / American uses of English.
May 09, 2015
 unnecessary words
by: Mykola Berez

Will it be correct if I write:

Rainshadow------- key (rain shadow),
few inches year-----key (few inches),
plastic wrapper-----key (plastic)
May 10, 2015
 unnecessary words
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Mykola,

It's not possible to answer your question for the second two without seeing the question paper and in turn what possible answers would fit.

But for the first one, from a search online, it appears the word 'rain shadow' is correct, not 'rainshadow'. The first one would thus be wrong.
May 13, 2015
 spell
by: gurjeet

Last few month ago I took axam idp I lost band due to spelling mistake I wrote egges but correct spell is eggs
May 21, 2015
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Anonymous

Plz u give me a list of mistakes or error in ielts listening
May 21, 2015
 listening
by: Anonymoust

Hi

I wrote 'sample', 'monument', 'circle' instead of 'samples', 'circles', 'monuments'.

Is it wrong????
May 22, 2015
 Plural or singular
by: IELTS buddy

If the speaker used plurals then you must write plurals. So yes, it would be wrong.
Jun 13, 2015
 how to identify singular and plural
by: Anonymous

'Attacking humans' or 'attacking human'....correct answer in the answer key seems to be first one but doesn't 'human' represent a group?

And 'seat reservations' is the answer in the key but i wrote 'seat reservation'....will i loose mark there or am i wrong grammatically?

And what about 'team leader' instead of 'team leaders' (key), 'playful fightings' in answer but i wrote 'playful fighting'.
Jun 15, 2015
 how to identify singular and plural
by: IELTS buddy

No, 'human' is singular, it does not represent a group. 'Humans' is for more than one.

Regarding your other questions - they will all be wrong. If the answer is plural then you have to write in the plural, and visa versa if the answer is singular.
Jul 10, 2015
 Spelling should not loose marks
by: Anonymous

How listening test in IELTS is evaluated?is i will lose my full mark in listening Example,if i put my answer as 'headec' instead of 'headache'?

If so , why i will lose because my spelling ability already tested in the writing part but in listening i should tested only my listening ability but not spelling this is my view.
Jul 10, 2015
 Spelling should not loose marks
by: IELTS buddy

Hi, yes your spelling in the IELTS listening test must be correct otherwise you will not get the mark.

I understand your point about it being unfair as it is a test of your listening, not spelling, but I think for marking purposes it would be too difficult to decide what was acceptable as wrong spelling and what was not. Standardising it across the world for all the marking would be very difficult.
Jul 21, 2015
 left off the 'd' at the end
by: Anonymous

Hi,

In my listening exam I wrote Advance instead of Advanced. I left off the 'd' would this be wrong.

Thanks for your assistance.
Jul 21, 2015
 Advance
by: IELTS buddy

Yes 'advance' would probably be wrong. Grammar and spelling must be correct.
Jul 23, 2015
 spelling
by: Anonymous

Will I be marked wrong for spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test - I wrote museum as meseum.
Jul 27, 2015
 Spelling
by: IELTS buddy

Yes spelling must be correct
Aug 13, 2015
 extra word
by: Binny

I wrote 'sport bags' instead of 'bags', but in the test they mention 'sport' before bags but in the answer key its only 'bag' will i loose mark for this?
Aug 14, 2015
 extra word
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Binny,

It's difficult to advise you for sure without hearing and seeing the test you are referring to, but assuming the answer key is correct, you must have the same as that.

So if the answer key says 'bag' you must have written 'bag' otherwise it is wrong. As I said, that is assuming the answer key is correct.
Aug 20, 2015
 practice
by: Anonymous

hi , I just wanna know do I have to take preparation courses to get high marks in ielts tests? can a non native speaker work at home and get high marks?
Aug 20, 2015
 Preparation courses
by: IELTS buddy

That will probably be different for every person.

For example, someone with a higher level of English could probably get away with just doing some online preparation.

It also depends on which part of the test. For example, someone at a lower level with poor grammar would benefit from classes as it is difficult to improve grammar online without someone to correct it and advise.

So really everyone's situation may be a bit different. Of course it would always help to have proper classes if you can afford it.
Aug 21, 2015
 negative marking
by: wazed

is there any negative marking in my ielts listening or reading exam? please let me know.

Thank you
Sep 03, 2015
 is spelling right
by: Anonymous

i have wrote first DESCRIPTION on my answer sheet then changed it to DISCRIPTION...pls tell me is the spelling is accepted??
Sep 03, 2015
 DESCRIPTION
by: IELTS buddy

No it will be wrong. Spelling must be correct.
Sep 09, 2015
 Singular and Plural noun
by: Anonymous

Hi

In actual IELTS exam. If the correct answer is plural noun and the we wrote singular noun. Will we lost mark on it or we still get half?

Sep 09, 2015
 Singular and Plural noun
by: IELTS buddy

There are no half marks. It will be wrong.
Sep 24, 2015
 use of /- and other
by: Anonymous

How to use / - between words when u have 2 or 3 words. Also if there are any rules of writing in listening to avoid doing.

Thx
Sep 24, 2015
 use of /- and other
by: IELTS buddy

You don't use "/" in the listening. Just put down your answer.

I don't understand the second questions. Avoid doing what?
Sep 30, 2015
 usage of words
by: Kalyan

Hi

my answer :

"an impact"

answer key : "impact"

will this be correct or wrong?

thank you
Sep 30, 2015
 Discuss
by: Naco

Nice discussion
Sep 30, 2015
 Usage
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Kalyan,

"An impact" will probably be wrong.

The answer has to fit grammatically. I'm guessing then that the article cannot be there as it is not in the answer key.
Oct 06, 2015
 How to answer thie question?
by: ESA

Hi there,

I got a question in IELTS listening exam one month ago. It was about a date of birth and the answer should be in two words and/or a number.

In listening section one it was mentioned as "24th of August 1979". It was confusing, I could not find any suitable answer that fits the instruction above.

Please, provide me with the possible correct answer.

Thanks,
ESA
Oct 07, 2015
 How to answer this question?
by: IELTS buddy

Hi ESA,

I'd really need to see the question and hear the test to be able to check what was going on here.

As you say, what you have put does not seem to fit as it would require two numbers.

Are you sure that the year (1979) was not already on the question sheet? If so, it would not need to be in the answer, so they would be looking for "24th August", which would be ok as it is one number and one word.

But like I say, it is really difficult to answer you for sure without experiencing the test.
Oct 09, 2015
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: yahya

i wrote comuter instead of commuter. will it be marked wrong? thanks
Oct 09, 2015
 Capitalization of names
by: Ali Afifi

hi all,
the answer in the sheet book was a family name of a person which was "Roberts" and i wrote down "roberts" .. will it be ok as it's a name and I read that capitalization ain't a big deal or it's a problem because it's a name of a person ?
Oct 09, 2015
 extra word
by: Ali Afifi

hi guys,
sorry i forgot to ad something in the previous query which is:
answer sheet was "8" and my answer was "8 items"
the question was:
* Number of items allowed: .........
and on the transcript said :
each member is allowed up to 8 items
will my answer be correct or wrong ?

Thanks in advance
Oct 14, 2015
 Extra word and capitalisation
by: IELTS buddy

My understanding is that you still get the mark if you get capitalisation wrong - someone posted feedback from BC if you look through the forum about that.

I don't know if they may still give you the mark for the extra word.

IELTS don't publish every detail about what they do or do not except so unfortunately it is not possible to know in every case.
Oct 31, 2015
 m
by: Anonymous

can you use 'm' instead of metre?
Nov 04, 2015
 Is an exact answer required?
by: Anonymous

Do they require an exact answer on the listening part? Like if I wrote 'throughout the world' instead of 'across the world', is it acceptable that the meanings are similar?
Nov 06, 2015
 Is an exact answer required?
by: IELTS buddy

That would be wrong. You have to have the exact answer.
Nov 14, 2015
 is it wrong if i write Market's share instead of market share ??
by: Praveen

Hi guys is it wrong if i write Market's share instead of market share ?? will i loose a mark for this ?
Nov 15, 2015
 is it wrong if i write Market's share instead of market share ??
by: IELTS buddy

That would be wrong. You have to have the exact answer.
Nov 20, 2015
 Important!!! Help me to stay better :(
by: Favio Orbea

Two hours ago I took the speaking part, in the first section I think I did it very well, in the second part I answered all the questions but I felt that my two minutes would end, so I decided to stop and then the examiner asked me about if I have anything to add in that section, in that point I felt that I failed and I got really nervous then I spoke around 15 seconds and then she stopped me.

Why did that happen? Will I lose marks?

Finally in the last part I think that I was answering well but then she told that I have to talk about other things, then I got nervous again and I started to say my answers quickly maybe 15 or 20 seconds per answer but she asked almost 9 or 10 question? I am worried :(
Nov 22, 2015
 Important!!! Help me to stay better :(
by: IELTS buddy

Favio,

I'm not sure why you are asking about the speaking test in the listening forum.

Please check out the speaking forum.

Similar questions have been asked a few times.

It's impossible to tell someone how they did in the speaking test without hearing it, which obviously we can't do.
Dec 08, 2015
 Too much detail
by: Tim

The speaker said "station" and my student wrote "space station." The station they were referring to was the space station, as it was mentioned earlier in the conversation. Would this be marked correct?

Also, there was one question where the book seemed to be wrong. The speaker said "just under two hours." The question asked "How many hours...?" and the answer was "2 hours." The question asked for 4 words or less. First of all, the question should be "Approximately how many hours...?" if the answer is 2, and hours shouldn't be included in the answer as it is in the question. Is the book wrong or am I?
Dec 09, 2015
 Wrong currency
by: Joanna

Hi,
In my ielts writing task 1, the currency symbol of pound was shown in the question but in my answer, I wrote 'euros' instead of 'pounds'. Will marks be deducted for this? If so, how much will be deducted?
Thanks,
Joanna
Dec 09, 2015
 IELTS listenting test mistakes
by: Mia

YES, unfortunately the IELTS listening test markers only give marks to people who know their spelling which is why spelling is a part of English!

.....Good to teach our kids good spelling and have fun.

BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
Dec 10, 2015
 @Tim
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Tim,

Are you referring to practice tests from the official Cambridge IELTS Self-Study books?

If so, the answer key at the back should tell you if "space station" is acceptable.

Regarding the time question you mention, yes the answer does appear to be wrong from what you have said.
Jan 08, 2016
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Anonymous

Can I write all big letters in listening and reading section
Jan 09, 2016
 Inquiry
by: Peter

Hello,

In multiple choice questions I have to choose 2 answers to get one mark, how can i write them on the answer sheet. In another word how can i separate the 2 words?
Jan 10, 2016
 Capital letters and two answers
by: IELTS buddy

Subbu,

Yes you can use capital letters.

Peter,

These aren't normally one mark for both. They are usually a mark each, so it should cover two questions and have two spaces on the answer sheet.

But if it was one mark you can just write B, C or C, B. That would be fine.
Jan 10, 2016
 Names of roads and companies
by: Anonymous

Bank Road OR BankRoad ,,and why?
why it is Newtown not New Town?
and the company name is Red Flag? IF I WRITE IT Redflag is that wrong which one is correct and why
Jan 11, 2016
 Synonym
by: Anonymous

Hi
I want to know if I write a synonym word instead of the right answer in a gap filling, will I lose mark?
I wrote bicycle instead of bike.
Jan 12, 2016
 Names of roads and companies
by: IELTS buddy

'Road' is a separate word so you would not join it with it's name.

Same as 'Red Flag'. They are two separate words so there is no reason to join them together.
Jan 12, 2016
 Names of roads and companies
by: IELTS buddy

'Road' is a separate word so you would not join it with it's name.

Same as 'Red Flag'. They are two separate words so there is no reason to join them together.
Jan 17, 2016
 Part of the answer incorrect
by: HAJ

Hi There

If you write your answer as Central Station and the correct answer is Central Street, would you get half a mark for having the Central part right?

In one of the questions the answer was Research and I wrote strictly research. In the transcript it said strictly research but the answer sheet only had the word research. Do you get the whole thing wrong for the extra word even though it was written like that in the transcript for the listening test? We've been doing the Road to IELTS test practice test papers.

If the answer is 20th Century and I write 20th Centuary (obviously spelt the word part of it wrong) do I get half a mark for the 20th part at least been correct?

My Husband is also taking the test and wants to know if he writes his answers for the listening test in capital block letters if this ok, or will he be penalized?
Jan 17, 2016
 Part of the answer incorrect
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

You don't get half marks, so even if you get half the word right and the other wrong (spelling wrong or the wrong word) you will get no mark.

With your 'strictly research' it will really depend on the situation.

If 'strictly research' fits grammatically and still works as the answer to the question they would likely give you the mark. Normally if they are going to let you possibly have another word or not it would be written in the answer key like this:

(strictly) research

Meaning it is correct if you have or do not have the word 'strictly'. It may be that the practice materials you used missed the fact that it could go in and still be correct.

So it really depends the context.

And yes you can write everything in capitals.
Jan 18, 2016
 Negative mark
by: Anonymous

Does The wrong answer have a negative mark?
Jan 21, 2016
 Negative mark
by: IELTS buddy

No you will just get 'zero'.
Feb 14, 2016
 Clarification
by: Jay

No more than two words and/or a number

Ceramics dated back approximately __________________.

Transcript says " 29,000 years ago"
but answer is 29,000 years.

Can anyone please justify.

Thank you.
Feb 14, 2016
 Clarification
by: IELTS buddy

That's a matter of grammar.

We don't use 'ago' in a sentence like that. We use it to say something such as "This ceramic pot was made 29,000 years ago".

Are you sure the transcript actually says:

"Ceramics dated back approximately 29,000 years ago" or is the sentence written differently?
Feb 16, 2016
 fill in the blanks doubt
by: SG

This is for listening test.
Q. company has a clear & ambitious ..........
Listening script: company has a clear & ambitious strategy going forward.
Ans. strategy
My Ans. strategy going forward

Am i right or wrong?
Feb 16, 2016
 Plural or singular
by: Anonymous

I've just recently sat for an exam. During the listening exam, I wrote the answer as menus, not menu. Is it wrong? Because they guy talking is a wedding planner and he said that there would be a menu on each table. The question is:

"Provided with specially printed..."

Is it correct to write menus?
Feb 17, 2016
 fill in the blanks doubt
by: IELTS buddy

Hi SG,

That depends on how many words you were told you can use. If the instructions said it is 3 you would be ok. If it is 1 or 2 it would be wrong.
Feb 17, 2016
 Plural or singular - menus
by: IELTS buddy

That depends on a few things.

If there was a bit before that said: Each guest - is provided with..., then it would be wrong because one guest would get only one.

But otherwise, menus does seem like it would fit ok.

I'd really need to see the whole listening section to be sure.
Feb 25, 2016
 the use of "The"
by: Anonymous

The key answer is "The Secret Garden" as it is supposed to be a title of a novel, but I wrote "Secret Garden".

I know I didn't put "The" which didn't make it 100% correct. But still.

Think about this, a person has very poor listening skills and is not able to understand and write anything in his answer sheet.

Another person has fairly good listening skills but he always makes minor mistake in each answer. Although in each answer, he gets it 90% correct. Giving both candidates zero mark seems unfair, don't you think.

Sorry for rambling.
Feb 29, 2016
 Prepositions Value in IELTS
by: Sami

Hi,

I am practicing IELTS reading and listening sections. Pls confirm me whether prepositions account any marks in both sections.

What if i have not written words in brackets () as per answer sheet. Do i loose marks?
Feb 29, 2016
 Prepositions Value in IELTS
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

I don't know what you mean about prepositions counting for marks. If the answer was "arrive in time" for example you would need to write "arrive in time".

You don't have to write the words in brackets that you see in the answer sheet. They are optional so it is right whether you include them or not.
Mar 01, 2016
 Cambridge answer key gives tolerance in spelling mistake
by: Permita

Hi, I have read all of ur comments above, and I assume that my answer about address in listening could be marked as wrong since I wrote '16th Rose Lane' while the Cambridge answer key wrote '16 Rose Lane'. However, in the other answer I heard the speaker said 'friends' while in answer key it was written as 'friend/freind (ok)'. It is confusing why the answer key gives tolerance for that mistake but not for the other.
Mar 05, 2016
 Cambridge answer key gives tolerance in spelling mistake
by: IELTS buddy

I've never heard of their being allowances for spelling mistakes so I don't know about that.

But regarding your other point - '16th' would make your answer wrong.
Mar 08, 2016
 Write street name without "space"
by: Dara

The speaker spelled out the name of a location without mentioning a space in between but I stupidly decided to put a space and made it into two words:

Correct answer: Milperra
I wrote: Mil Perra

I am so used to some location names such as San Francisco, San Diego, etc. ,which contains a space.
Do they tolerate such error? Thanks.
Mar 08, 2016
 short form
by: Dara

Oh and about short form.
The answer: 28 November
I wrote: 28 Nov

I don't see any words in brackets to give optional answer to this one. I assume I won't get any mark.
Mar 20, 2016
 spelling mistake
by: Anonymous

Hi,
can anyone tell me that if i write 'student' instead of 'students '.Will i get marks or not.
Please tell Me..
Mar 20, 2016
 spelling mistake
by: IELTS buddy

That's not a spelling mistake, it's a mistake with singular / plural.

But it would be marked as wrong.
Apr 03, 2016
 IELTS test on 2nd April
by: Anonymous

Hi,

In my listening booklet for one of the answers I wrote "at new year".The answer is correct, however, is there any chance of mark deduction for not capitalising New Year?

Please reply.
Apr 03, 2016
 IELTS test on 2nd April
by: IELTS buddy

If you did not capitalise that is ok, you won't lose the mark.
Apr 07, 2016
 IELTS exam 2nd April
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I took my IELTS exam on 2nd April in India.
For one of the answers in Section B of Listening, where I had to fill the blank, I wrote email instead of email address. Will I lose point for this mistake.

Please revert asap.

Thank you!!
Apr 08, 2016
 IELTS exam 2nd April
by: IELTS buddy

How do you know that 'email' is the wrong answer and 'email address' is the right answer?

It's really impossible to know without seeing the test to know what the question was and the audio said.
Apr 11, 2016
 spelling mistake in listening
by: Anonymous

I wrote 'guarage' instead of 'garage'. Would it be wrong?
Apr 12, 2016
 spelling mistake in listening
by: IELTS buddy

Yes it would be wrong. Spelling must be correct.
Apr 20, 2016
 word check
by: Anonymous

There was this abstruse word 'TOTEMISM' and i wrote it as 'TOTOMISM', considering its difficulty, would the checkers mark it as wrong answer?
Apr 20, 2016
 word check
by: IELTS buddy

According to the IELTS website, spelling has to be correct so spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test will be marked wrong.

Your guess is as good as to mine as to whether they may decide to be lenient in certain cases, but they don't say that they are on their website.
Apr 28, 2016
 doubt regarding a/an/the in listening
by: jaydeep

I have doubt in listening. In ielts listening correct answer is "the nice park" but I wrote "nice park". My doubt is regarding when to use a/an/the. plz help me
Apr 29, 2016
 doubt regarding a/an/the in listening
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Jaydeep,

Which practice tests are you referring to?

If you check the official tests from Cambridge, articles are usually put in brackets in the answer key meaning that it is ok with or without them.

So in your case 'nice park' should be correct.
May 11, 2016
 currencies
by: Anonymous

Hi IELTS Buddy,
What happens if you use the name of the currency instead of its sign? e.g. 1 dollar instead of $1
May 11, 2016
 currencies
by: IELTS buddy

That would be ok to do that.
Jun 16, 2016
 abbreviations and numbers
by: Zachary

Can I use written numbers and numerals interchangeably? Can I use abbreviations, km for kilometers, for instance. I find a lot of variation on the answer sheets.
Jul 18, 2016
 Writing task 1, spelling mistake
by: Writing task 1

If in The writing task 1 they put (Australiasia) and I put in my answer Australia because I didn't pay attention to it, is it considered as a spelling mistake?

If yes, why don't they consider as uncommon word?

And finally how much would I lose for one spelling mistake in writing tasks?
Jul 19, 2016
 Writing task 1, spelling mistake
by: IELTS buddy

You are not talking about the listening test which is what this form is about, but for the writing it is not as simple as losing certain marks for one spelling mistake.

Examiners would look at your mistakes throughout the whole piece of writing. It's quite possible that one mistake like that will not make much difference to your score but the more mistakes you make, the more difference it will make.
Jul 20, 2016
 spelling mistake
by: Anonymous

Hi!

In my recent IELTS test I wrote:

1) 'bird images' instead of 'birds images'

2) 'sport specialist' instead of 'sports specialist'

3)' clothes' instead of 'clothing'

Would it be wrong?
Jul 22, 2016
 Spelling mistake
by: IELTS buddy

According to the rules given by ielts.org they would be wrong. Spelling and grammar should be correct.
Jul 25, 2016
 Date writing.
by: Urikrem

The answer: 28 November
I wrote: 28th of November
In the book 8(tapescripts): 28th of November
Are both answers right?
Jul 26, 2016
 Date writing
by: IELTS buddy

How many words/numbers did the instructions say you can use?

If it is two then it will not be allowed. If it's three it would be OK.
Jul 26, 2016
 Hi!
by: Anonymous

I have written some starting word's with capital letters like 'Important' instead of 'important' in the same way 'Modern'. Is this are right or wrong
Jul 27, 2016
 Starting with capital letter.
by: IELTS buddy

Capitals or small letters are ok so it would be correct.
Aug 08, 2016
 Correct me I'm wrong
by: Muhammad Fathi

I can't remember exactly where I read this, but I read somewhere that spelling errors are not very critical in both listening and reading tests, meaning that you don't necessarily lose the point just because you made a spelling mistake, can you please confirm whether or not this statement is actually true? Thanks!
Aug 10, 2016
 Correct me I'm wrong
by: IELTS

Hi Muhammad,

They don't say directly but this is what is says on the British Council site:

"Be careful with your spelling and grammar".

Maybe they have some exceptions depending on the test, but it is safer to assume that any spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test are marked wrong.
Aug 25, 2016
 £ and $
by: Hie

Hi,

The question is:

$.....
I wrote only 50, but the answer was 50 dollars.

£.....
I wrote 12, but the answer was 12 pounds.

Which one is correct?

Plz help me. My exam is the tomorrow (27 th august 2016)
Aug 26, 2016
 £ and $
by: IELTS buddy

That depends what it has in the gap on the listening paper.

If the speaker says "50 dollars" and paper has a gap with "$ __" you should write "50".

If it had "_____" you should write "$50 / 50 dollars".

If something is already on the paper you don't copy that onto the answer sheet.
Aug 26, 2016
 %
by: Hie

What percentage of the final grade does it count for?

I wrote 40% but the answer was 40. Which was correct?

Next question was: Average temp:.......
I wrote 26 degrees, but the answer was 26.

Plz reply me soon.
Aug 28, 2016
 % and degrees
by: IELTS buddy

Each question is one point. There are 40 questions, so you lose one point for each one wrong.

My answer for % and degrees is the same as I just said for £ and $.

If the symbol is already on the question sheet, you should not add it to the answer as that will make it wrong.
Sep 03, 2016
 Listening Doubts
by: Raza

I have few doubts in Listening...Does an answer/word in parenthesis matter. Is it compulsory to write it down?

Ex:

1) In Cambridge IELTS answer key, the answer is OUTDOOR (TRIPS)
- My answer was OUTDOOR TRIPS .

2) In Cambridge IELTS answer key, the answer is STUDENT(S) ADVISOR.
- My answer was STUDENT ADVISOR.

which one is correct..plz help
Regards,
Sep 04, 2016
 Listening Doubts - Parenthesis
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Raza,

Things that are in parenthesis are optional.

That means your answer is correct with or without the word in brackets. So they are both correct.

So in your first answer 'outdoor' or 'outdoor trips' is correct.
Sep 07, 2016
 Reading & Listening Doubt
by: Gaurav

Suppose the answer is "the bus" & i write " bus" so is it wrong if i miss "the" or "a beautiful evening is the answer & i write "beautiful evening" so if i miss "a" is it wrong?? Please provide clarity
Sep 07, 2016
 Reading & Listening Doubt
by: IELTS

Hi Gaurav,

Are you referring to a specific answer in a practice test?

If you look at the Cambridge Official Tests they never usually have answers that require an article, or if they do, it is in brackets e.g. (the) bus, which means the answer is correct without it.

If you are sure an article is needed then put it in to be safe, but generally speaking I think it is ok if it is not there.
Sep 24, 2016
 IELTS listening
by: Anonymous

Hello,
I would like to ask you if I am allowed to write answers (all words) in upper letters.
Thank you.

========

Yes you can.

IELTS buddy
Sep 24, 2016
 Do i loose marks if i write 'on' in place of 'in'?
by: Anonymous

for example i wrote on the date 1990 in my writing test, Do i lose marks?

========

It would be wrong. You can't say "on 1990".

IELTS buddy
Oct 09, 2016
 check spelling
by: Anonymous

Can we also write the 'grammar' as 'grammer' and 'writing' as 'writting'. It's correct or wrong. Plzz tell me the answer.
Oct 09, 2016
 check spelling
by: IELTS buddy

Those are spelling mistakes so they would be marked wrong.
Oct 10, 2016
 Need Help
by: Anonymous

Hi,

Answer was Workshop, but I mentioned business management workshop. Will it be correct?

======

That will depend on how many words you are allowed. If you are allowed three it will likely be correct. Any fewer and it would not be.

IELTS buddy
Oct 11, 2016
 Spaces between numbers
by: Anonymous

I was wondering if marks would be deducted in the listening section if details like pin code and credit card numbers don't have the spaces required.

Example: 667612345678 is what I wrote but in the answer key it says 6676 1234 5678

Would I lose marks in such cases even though the numbers are right?

========

That will be fine. The gaps won't matter.

IELTS buddy
Oct 20, 2016
 Correct way to write dates
by: Zee

In Cambridge IELTS, its mentioned no more than three words and/or a number.

Question was concerning dates. Audio says ans is "May 4", so I wrote "May 4" but in Answer key it was"4th May".

Plz clarify which is correct or both ways it is correct.

Regards,

========

Both should be ok, not sure why it does not make that clear in the answer key.

IELTS buddy
Oct 21, 2016
 Please correct
by: Anonymous

Hi,

Please suggest which one is correct

50 Km or 50 Kilometre

Reserve a seat or serve seat or seat

Thanks

========

In the first one, either would be ok.

In the second one, that really depends on what the question was and number of words allowed. "serve seat" would certainly be wrong as it dose not make sense. You can't serve a seat.

IELTS buddy
Oct 25, 2016
 IELTS Writing Question
by: Anonymous

Hi, my question is will it be correct to write
11 June instead of 11th June and also 'food handling' instead of food-handling???
Oct 28, 2016
 IELTS Writing Question
by: IELTS buddy

Yes 11 June is ok.

IELTS don't actually discuss their approach to hyphens so it is difficult to say for sure what they do if you use them incorrectly.
Jan 12, 2017
 Spelling error
by: Sunita

I wrote museam in listening test I will get marks or not.
Plz tell me
Jan 14, 2017
 Spelling error
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong . Spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test lose you the mark.
Jan 19, 2017
 singular and plural ....misconception
by: muhammad ahmed

I have one question is that singular and plural matters in ielts or not? For instance if the answer was just 'girls' and if I write just 'girl' is it correcct or not? Reply me I am waiting ...
Jan 21, 2017
 singular and plural ....misconception
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong. You have to get singular and plural correct.
Feb 05, 2017
 I HAVE A DOUBT
by: ashwin

if "attic" is written as "atic" will that is cost me loose marks ?
Feb 07, 2017
 gill
by: rajbeer

i feel week in ielts please help me
Feb 09, 2017
 I HAVE A DOUBT
by: IELTS buddy

Yes you will lose the mark for spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test.
Feb 11, 2017
 Should I put a (-) for this answer
by: Anonymous

The question asked to write only one word and the correct answer was color-blind , however, I wrote it without the dash as colorblind.
How would this be marked.
Thanks
Feb 16, 2017
 writing mistake
by: Ovi

I wrote bi-cycle will it be ok?
Feb 20, 2017
 Mistake - spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Kamal

Hello I'm my Listening exam I wrote stimulation and the word should be written simulation so will I get a mark for that ??
Feb 22, 2017
 Mistake - spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: IELTS buddy

No you won't get the mark for spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test.
Mar 11, 2017
 Listening Test Question
by: Anonymous

In one practice listening test I did, my answer was 'shelter' but the one given by the book was 'observing shelter'.

Would that be considered as incorrect?

Cheers
Mar 12, 2017
 Listening Test Question
by: IELTS buddy

According to the answer in the key, yes it would be incorrect.

If it is in brackets like this, the word is optional:

'(observing) shelter'

So 'shelter' would be correct.

But if there are no brackets then you need both words.
Apr 12, 2017
 correct or not
by: Anonymous

Hi,

will my answer be incorrect?
My answer: Cup Head
Key: Cap Head

But how shall I know if it's cap or cup. It's pronounced the same. The chart only has drawing and the conversation is about the girl explaining the parts of drilling tower. There's no label.

My Answer: Grain Street
Key: Green street.
Will this be incorrect too?

My answer: elderly
Key: elderly people
Apr 12, 2017
 Correct or not
by: IELTS buddy

They will be wrong. Spelling must be correct and you got it wrong in the first two. And 'cap' is pronounced differently to 'cup'.

The last is wrong as you missed out a word.
May 06, 2017
 ielts exam equiry
by: Anonymous

i hav mistakenly written robert instead of robot in writing task 2..Will I lose mark...
May 08, 2017
 ielts exam equiry
by: IELTS buddy

Yes spelling must be correct in IELTS.
May 26, 2017
 Shadowed wrongly
by: Anonymous

Hi,

On listening answer sheet I shadowed wrongly, instead of shadowing box I did it on numbers (above box), does it going to harm my result? Like not getting my listening test report???
May 28, 2017
 Shadowed wrongly
by: IELTS buddy

I don't really understand your question. What box?
Jun 02, 2017
 uncommon words
by: Anonymous

Hello IELTS buddy!
According to British council:

Errors in spelling and grammar are only accepted on very uncommon words. What kind of words are considered as "uncommon"?

======

Where did you read that? It's not something I have heard before. Generally I think you need to assume something spelled wrong will not get the mark.

I think even if they do say that, I think it's very unlikely they will give 'uncommon' words for you to spell.

And it's really difficult to decide what is 'uncommon'.

IELTS buddy
Jun 03, 2017
 Listening
by: Ahmad

In listening there was an answer that the car has new "tires"

I wrote tires and now I can see that in British English it's tyres.
Tires is used in American English

Would I loose marks for this.

======

In IELTS it does say that you can use American or British English so you should be ok.

IELTS buddy
Jun 04, 2017
 Grammar
by: Anonymous

In my answer I wr0te gramer instead of grammar. Do I get a right answer?
Jun 04, 2017
 Grammar
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong - spelling must be correct.
Jun 10, 2017
 nouns
by: lakshan

Hello, in my test I wrote as "book shelf" with two words instead of "bookshelf". Will I loose mark?
Jun 10, 2017
 nouns
by: IELTS buddy

IELTS don't officially say whether they accept words that sfhould be separated but are joined together. But I'd guess that they do.
Jul 16, 2017
 Listening
by: Anonymous

Hello,

I have written 'February' as 'feburary'. Will it be wrong as I have taken them from internet
Jul 20, 2017
 Listening
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong as spelling must be correct.
Jul 20, 2017
 ONE WORD AND/OR NUMBER
by: Raza

Cn u plz tell me what will be correct answer for this one in Listening for ONE WORD AND/OR NUMBER

Audio says: A21 to 24

In Answer key:
Seat row/no. : A21-24 or A21 to A24

Plz help.
Jul 20, 2017
 ONE WORD AND/OR NUMBER
by: IELTS buddy

Which book is it from?

It doesn't look correct as that is two numbers not one so it doesn't fit the instructions.
Jul 20, 2017
 ONE WORD AND/OR NUMBER
by: Anonymous

Book name is Official IELTS Practice materials.

Can we expect such things in the exam too?
Jul 21, 2017
 ONE WORD AND/OR NUMBER
by: IELTS buddy

Although it says 'official practice material', if it's the book I'm thinking it may be, it's not actually material from the test (they are only found in the Cambridge books).

That's ok though, it may still be good practice material, but I think that answer you have in the key may be incorrect, so no it wouldn't be like that in an actual test.
Jul 26, 2017
 NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NO
by: Anonymous

In Listening audio its telling "Student is in the third year of course"

Answer key: third.

Can I write in answer sheet 3rd?
Jul 26, 2017
 NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NO
by: IELTS buddy

Difficult to say for sure. You should really go by the answer key and that says it will not be accepted.

We don't tend to say '3rd' in that context, we say 'third', though you do sometimes see it written as '3rd' so it's possible they may accept it if it was an actual test.
Jul 29, 2017
 Confusing
by: Anonymous

I wrote '7 screen cinema' but I got it wrong because they had 'Seven screen cinema' as the answer. It was word AND/OR number. So why is is wrong?
Aug 01, 2017
 Confusing
by: IELTS buddy

'7' would be fine. I'm not sure why it was not also in the answer key.
Aug 02, 2017
 Listening
by: Anonymous

Hi,

In my listening test the question was

large amount of ________

I wrote "slangs" same as the speaker. But in ielts book it is "slang. Which one is correct?
Aug 04, 2017
 Listening
by: IELTS buddy

Slang is correct, that word can't be plural.
Aug 14, 2017
 hi
by: Anonymous

Please inform me if in listening we write (s) for answers we are not sure about like 'product' or 'products'. 'Product(s)' will consider right or wrong?
Aug 15, 2017
 Adding 's'
by: IELTS buddy

It would be marked wrong because you must get singular or plural correct.

So if you are adding the 's' in brackets that means you don't know and are putting down two answers.
Sep 11, 2017
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: Anonymous

I wrote San Fransisco instead of San Francisco

Will I lose marks for this mistake??
Sep 17, 2017
 spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong as spelling must be correct.
Sep 23, 2017
 Zero or O
by: Raza

In IELTS Listening audio when the speaker saying the address its "ZO6643"

I am confused if by saying 'O" he meant numerical "0" OR ALPHABET "O."

Plz guide what should be the answer.
Sep 24, 2017
 Zero or O
by: IELTS buddy

Firstly it's not going to make any difference whether you write down 0 (number) or o (letter) as the examiner will not know which it is anyway.

But I think you have got mixed up with the question anyway.

"ZO6643" doesn't make sense for an address. An example of an address (British) is:

15 Sands Road
Heaton
Birmingham
BE4 7GH
Oct 04, 2017
 Space between words
by: Anonymous

Hello,
I was wondering if 'foodstands' will be marked as wrong, as it has to be 'food stands' (with space in-between the words)?
Oct 05, 2017
 Space between words
by: IELTS buddy

IELTS don't officially say whether they accept words that sfhould be joined but are separated.
Oct 17, 2017
 Half marks in IELTS Listening Test
by: Anonymous

Will I loose whole mark if the answer is half correct? Example: I wrote "INNI Ria" But answer will be "Anna Ria".
Oct 19, 2017
 Half marks in IELTS Listening Test
by: IELTS buddy

There are no half marks in the IELTS Listening Test so your answer would be wrong.
Oct 23, 2017
 Sports centre
by: Anonymous

Is it wrong if in the IELTS listening test i write "sport centre" instead of "sports centre"? They both have exactly the same meaning.
Oct 27, 2017
 Sports centre
by: IELTS buddy

It will tell you in the answer key what the possibilities are. If 'sports centre' is not in there it will be wrong.
Nov 15, 2017
 Spelling mistake in uncommon words and mistake of s
by: Malik

I wrote pectogram instead of pictograms and also plate instead of plate ..

Whether these two answers are correct or lose the mark as pictograms is very uncommon word and I have heard that spelling mistake is allowed in uncommon words.
Nov 17, 2017
 IELTS Spelling mistake in uncommon words
by: IELTS buddy

Spelling should be correct. I've never heard that they allow spelling mistakes in uncommon words. Who told you that?
Nov 17, 2017
 Spelling mistake reference
by: Anonymous

See comment Dated Jun 29 2013, replied by TOM.

He has also given reference of British council page. You are humbly requested to kindly.
Nov 18, 2017
 Uncommon words
by: IELTS buddy

I've checked that link and it doesn't work anymore. It's possible they do accept the wrong spellings for uncommon words, but I've never heard that they do.

How would they decide what word is uncommon and how would they decide what kind of spelling is acceptable?

It would be difficult to get all markers around the world working on the same basis, unless they give specific alternative spellings for that word.

I think rather than do that, they would avoid using 'uncommon' words. So I think it's unlikely to happen anyway.
Nov 19, 2017
 About date
by: Anonymous

Hi I have a question about date. I answered 15th because speaker definitely said "15th of March", but answer is just 15 according to answer page. In this case, do I lose mark?
Nov 25, 2017
 Date
by: IELTS buddy

We say 15th in English so that would be fine.
Dec 11, 2017
 Listening test
by: Anonymous

I wrote bussiness instead of business will it be wrong.i have seen both the spellings that's why I was confused.
Dec 12, 2017
 business
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong as spelling must be correct. It's not spelt the way you thought.
Dec 25, 2017
 Symbol
by: Anonymous

Would it be okay if i write "brother in law" instead of "brother-in-law"?

The key is "Newtown" and my answer is "New town". Can this be marked as correct?
Dec 27, 2017
 Symbol
by: IELTS buddy

Missing the Hyphens is probably ok but I think 'New Town' may be wrong.
Jan 11, 2018
 Simple
by: Anonymous

hey!

Suppose the answer is "Town hall" "Mid-range" but i wrote "Townhall" and "mid range". `will i get marks or not?

======

The first one would be wrong but the second ok.

IELTS buddy
Jan 11, 2018
 Missed "the" in answer
by: Ani

If the answer to a question is "beside the reception", I answered it as "beside reception", will I lose mark?
Jan 14, 2018
 Missed "the" in answer
by: IELTS buddy

If your answer makes it grammatically incorrect then you do not get the point. It looks like 'the' needs to be there so your answer would be wrong.
Mar 06, 2018
 Synonyms
by: Anonymous

Hi, I was going through Cambridge Mock tests and had gone through one of the listening test. I wrote many synonyms instead of the answers mentioned in their answer sheet. Will I get marks for this. For eg.

Question was: (University counselor surveying students and their life in campus, She had asked one of the student if they are finding any difficulties during the course, to which the reply was:

Student1: They are not able to interact with lecturers regularly.

So, the question was what is the difficulty student facing.

My answer: less lecturer interaction's
Answer sheet: Lecturers too busy

Another one:

My answer: Moderate eating
Answer Sheet: Eat in moderation/not too much

My answer: Excess of
Answer sheet: Lots of

Will I get marks for such answers
Mar 08, 2018
 Synonyms
by: IELTS buddy

You have to have what is in answer key otherwise it will be wrong.

I don't quite understand all the answers though. The answer should be taken from listening.

Are you sure it did not say 'lectures are busy' somewhere? It did not say it in the bit you quoted.
Apr 05, 2018
 Uncompleted answers
by: Adriana

What if you write just one word instead of 2 as it is indicated in the Test Answer Key?

For example: 'staircase' instead of 'nearest staircase' or 'the roll' instead of 'the class roll'?

And what if you add a word which is not indicated in the Answer Key? I.e 'the class roll' instead of 'the roll'...

Thanks
Apr 08, 2018
 Spelling mistake in listening
by: Ronak

If I wrote garrage instead of garage & balconey instead of balcony, I would get a marks in listening????
Apr 09, 2018
 Uncompleted answers
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Adriana,

Your answers must match the answer key and fit grammatically in the sentence.

So if you miss or add a word and that mean it does not fit grammatically in the gap, you go over the word limit, or for some other reason it makes it the wrong answer, then it will be marked wrong.
Apr 11, 2018
 Space between the word
by: Anonymous

In listening test, the conversations says 'BUS STOPS'. Instead of leaving a space I have written as BUSSTOPS.

Will it be a wrong one or is there any chance to get a mark?
Apr 12, 2018
 Space between the word
by: IELTS buddy

IELTS don't give any official advice as to whether they accept answers where there appears to be no gap so it's not possible to say for sure.
Apr 20, 2018
 Spelling mistake
by: Anonymous

I wrote 'compastion engine' instead of 'combustion engine'. Will they give me any marks?

======

No you won't as you lose a mark for spelling mistakes in the IELTS listening test.

IELTS buddy
Apr 22, 2018
 Clarity on the date
by: Anonymous

Is 24th August & August 24th the same according to cambridge???
Apr 27, 2018
 Clarity on the date
by: IELTS buddy

Yes either would be ok.
Jun 04, 2018
 Word form
by: Anonymous

Hi in ielts listening exam i wrote farmers instead of farming. This type of answer can be acceptable or not.
Jun 07, 2018
 Word form
by: IELTS buddy

It will be wrong if it did not fit grammatically.
Aug 18, 2018
 wrong spelling
by: Anonymous

hello
if I wrote Scottland instead of Scotland will I lose a point.
Aug 20, 2018
 wrong spelling
by: IELTS buddy

Yes, spelling in IELTS Listening must be correct.
Sep 07, 2018
 This is urgent
by: Anonymous

Suppose in section 2 where i need to fill in the answer in 1 or 2 words, the answer lets say is 'active' but i write 'future active', will i get half mark for writing 'active'?
Sep 08, 2018
 This is urgent
by: IELTS buddy

No, there are no half marks for IELTS Listening or Reading.
Dec 16, 2018
 For example the correct answer in listening is open doors. I write it as open door(s).is it will be correct?
by: Anonymous

For example the correct answer in listening is open doors. I write it as open door(s). Is it will be correct?
Dec 17, 2018
 minor error
by: Andy

Hi!
If you write "mini-bus" instead of "minibus" would it be considered correct or you won't get any marks for it?

Thanks!
Dec 24, 2018
by: IELTS buddy

If the answer is 'open doors' you must write that. You can't put 'open door(s)'. That is like having two goes as you are not sure whether it is plural or singular.

I think "mini-bus" instead of "minibus" would be ok, but they don't officially say whether they accept errors like that, so you should of course always try and write the proper word.
Jan 14, 2019
 spelling
by: Anonymous

When doing the Listening part and the speaker spells a word, for instance "dog", do I have to write it as "D-O-G" or is "dog" fine?
Jan 15, 2019
 spelling
by: IELTS buddy

You'd write 'dog'!
Apr 27, 2019
 27th april 2019 exam
by: Anonymous

i have written bird images instead of birds images. will it deduct my marks for s.
May 06, 2019
 Date confusion
by: RSLP

15 May and 15th May are same?
My listening question was saying 15th of May, but the instruction was to use no more than 2 words.
May 07, 2019
 Names of People
by: Anonymous

If the name is spelt s-y-m-o-n-d-s, should I need to write "Symonds" or "S-y-m-o-n-d-s"?
May 23, 2019
 Doubt
by: Anonymous

Is it wrong to write top soil rather than writing topsoil
May 26, 2019
 Doubt
by: IELTS buddy

There is no official guidance from IELTS on such a mistake however I think it would be allowed as it could be a bit subjective deciding whether a candidate has left a space or not.
Jun 01, 2019
 Add article even if not heard in Tape
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I heard in the tape that

working in "team" ( no article)

but put answer as working in "a team"

Will it be considered as right answer?
Jun 25, 2019
 Additional words
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I just completed the official Cambridge guide to IELTS Practice Test 2. In the first section, you are allowed to use up to 2 words and/or a number.

It asks:
Minimum age: ___
According to the answer key, the correct answer is 16. I wrote 16 years. Would this be incorrect?

Furthermore:
Last entry date: 1st ___
The answer key says August, I put "of August" (they also said this in the recording). Would it still be correct?

Kind regards
Jun 28, 2019
 Additional Words
by: IELTS buddy

For the first one, did it say 'years' in the audio? If not it would be wrong as you are adding words that were not there. If they did say 16 years then it should be ok.

For the second one 'of August' should be ok, especially as they actually said it in the audio.
Nov 22, 2019
 Ornamental
by: Anonymous

Hi,
I wrote Ornemental instead of Ornamental in my Listening test.
Is this word considered as uncommon enough to write it wrong without losing points?
Feb 23, 2020
 Spelling mistake
by: Anonymous

I have one spelling mistake in my essay. Will it affect my writing score heavily???
Aug 24, 2020
 Answer key confusion
by: Anonymous

Hi will the answer be wrong if i write stephen king instead of Stephen King. Do capital letters have to be checked?
Aug 25, 2020
 Answer key confusion
by: IELTS buddy

It will be correct - missing capital letters doesn't result in lost marks in listening or reading.
Nov 28, 2020
 IELTS LISTENING ERRORS
by: Anonymous

The answer is rain-wear or rainwear...but i have written it as rain wear.(I have given space between the two words). Is it wrong?

note : the answer can be two words long
Dec 08, 2020
 Listening errors
by: Anonymous

Hi
sometimes they say that some of the "uncommon" words spellings are not as important as others and you won`t marked as wrong for spelling mistakes.
Can you give an example for an "uncommon word" in IELTS listening ??
Jul 18, 2021
 Listening test
by: AHMED

I have a question regarding listening test
If the answer is March 23(rd)
But, I have a mistake in bracket like March 23th
Is it wrong?
My exam was yesterday 😭😭
Apr 24, 2022
 Will I loose marks for capital alphabet
by: Anonymous

Will I loose marks for typing initial of each fill in the blanks capital alphabet
Apr 24, 2022
 Will I loose marks for capital alphabet
by: IELTS buddy

No, capitals aren't marked as wrong
Aug 12, 2022
 Space between a word
by: Anonymous

Hello
Wanted to know whether I will lose mark or not if I have written the word " toothache" with space in between like " tooth ache" ? in the listening test
Aug 14, 2022
 Space between a word
by: IELTS buddy

Something like that should still be marked correct
Nov 19, 2022
 I wrote 7 instead of 7am in ielts listening.
by: Karan

I wrote 7 instead of 7 am in ielts listening so would i lose marks for that?
Nov 22, 2022
 I wrote 7 instead of 7am in ielts listening.
by: IELTS buddy

That depends what was on the listening sheet.

If the gap was for example "I got up at ______ am" then you should just put '7' (7am is wrong).

If it was "I got up at ______ " and the speaker says '7am' then you should put '7 am' (7 is wrong).

To be sure to answer your question correctly, I'd need to see the listening test you are referring to.
Feb 19, 2023
 Phrase use without a shadow of a doubt
by: Anonymous

Hi can I use the phrase expressing my viewpoint/opinion "without a shadow of a doubt" in writing task 2?
Feb 20, 2023
 Phrase use without a shadow of a doubt
by: IELTS buddy

The easiest way is just to put it before the clause where you are giving an opinion. E.g.

- Without a shadow of a doubt, banning smoking will improve health.

It can though be placed elsewhere, e.g.

- Banning smoking will, without a shadow of a doubt, improve health.
Feb 20, 2023
 Phrase use
by: Anonymous

Would this phrase "without a shadow of a doubt" be okay to use? Would it affect my score?
Feb 21, 2023
 Phrase use
by: IELTS buddy

Some people might perhaps argue the phrase is too informal for an academic essay but I think it would be fine.
May 25, 2023
 IELTS listening
by: Milon Alam

Hi, i wrote saillings instead of sailing on ielts listening module then will it be correct?

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