IELTS Listening Tips – “No More Than… Words”

You’ll often see instructions like this in the IELTS listening test:

1. Write one word only for each answer.
2. Write one word and / or a number for each answer.
3. Write no more than two words and / or a number for each answer.
4. Write no more than three words for each answer.

1) The first instruction is to make sure you only write one word. If you write two words (e.g. “a pen”), your answer will be wrong.

2) The second instruction means that your answer can be any of the following: one word, one number, a word and a number (e.g. 12th September).

3) The third instruction means that your answer can be any of the following: one word, one number, a word and number, two words, two words and a number (e.g. 15 Bank Road). If you see this instruction, it is likely that one of the answers in that section will require two words or two words and a number.

4) The fourth instruction means that your answer can be any of the following: one word, two words, three words. If you see this instruction, it is likely that one of the answers in that section will require three words.

Note:
– Hyphenated words (e.g. hard-working) are counted as one word.
– You won’t be tested on contracted words (e.g. doesn’t).

Related IELTS Resources

Take a practice test to find out what is your current weakness in terms of IELTS scale and allow more time to improve your weak spots. The following IELTS resources will help you to develop your skills faster: