When to use capital letters in your IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing test. Will you get a lower score if you make a mistake with capital letters? Can you write your answers in all capital letters? What are the rules for capital letters in IELTS? What about using capital letters in the computer based IELTS test? Read below to learn about this.
Using Capital Letters for IELTS Answers: Rules & Advice
Below you will find advice for using capital letters for writing your answers in IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing.
Capital Letters in IELTS Listening and Reading
In IELTS listening and reading, you can write all your answers in capital letters if you want. You can do this for the paper based test and the computer based test. It is completely up to you. There is no rule stating whether you should use capital or lower case.
- You can write your answers in small letters if you want.
- You can write in all capital letters.
Examples of capital letters in listening and reading:
- HOSPITAL = correct / hospital = correct / 9am = correct / 9AM = correct
Which is best? Capital letters or lower case?
I recommend writing your listening and reading answers in capital letters for the paper based test. This avoids any problems of markers struggling to read your handwriting. For the computer based test, it doesn’t matter. Both lower case and upper case will be easy to read.
Transferring Answers in Listening & Reading
In IELTS listening, you will be given 10 mins extra to transfer your answers to your answer sheet in the paper based test. Check your answers and check your spelling – then write your answers on the answer sheet. If your handwriting is poor, write using all capital letters so it is easy to read. For the computer based test, you do not need to transfer answers. You only need to check what you have already put into the computer. For this reason, you will be given only 2 mins to check your answers after the recording ends.
In IELTS reading, you will not get 10 extra mins to transfer your answers. You must write your answers directly on your answer sheet. But it is completely your choice how to write your answers. The most important factor is clear writing for the paper based test. Use all capital letters if your handwriting isn’t clear.
Capital Letters in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing, you can choose to write your essay in capital letters. But I would not recommend it because:
- you WILL be marked on punctuation so the use of capital letters and lower case is important to show. You must have a capital letter at the start of a sentence, for example.
- you have a strict time limit and it takes too long to write in capital letters
So, write your essay in lower case and remember to use capital letters when grammatically appropriate. The examiner will mark you down if you use capital letters incorrectly. Here is a list of typical words that use capital letters:
When to use capital letters in English grammar
- Days/ Months = Thursday / September
- Names and Titles = Mrs J Blogs / Dr Author Jones
- Countries / Cities = India / Vietnam / Paris / Hong Kong
- Names of Places = University of London
- Acronyms = BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
- Start of a Sentence = “The majority of people use cars to go to work these days. However, it would be better if they used healthier means of transport such as the bicycle.”
Biggest Mistake with Capital Letters
- but / because / and
- These linking words should NEVER be used to start a sentence in formal writing. See my page of linking words for writing task 2 to learn tips and get a useful list: IELTS Writing Task 2 Linking Words
What about speaking part 2? Well, the notes you make for your talk are not marked and only you see them. The examiner will not check them or mark them. So, don’t write sentences or bother with punctuation, just write words, ideas and tips to help you present a good talk.
More IELTS Tips
What about using a pen or pencil? Click on this link: IELTS Pen or Pencil
How are words counted in IELTS Listening? Click on this link: How Words are Counted in IELTS
Can I use “I” or “my” in writing task 2? Click on this link: How to express your opinion in IELTS WT2
Tips & Practice for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking:
- IELTS Listening
- IELTS Reading
- IELTS Writing Task 1
- IELTS Writing Task 2
- IELTS Speaking
- Vocabulary for IELTS
……………..
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Liz, I was doing a test on YouTube and I followed your instruction to write in capital letters. But the question was about about the man’s email address and when he called out his email address, he specifically said the address is in lower case. Should i still keep on with the capital or change to lowercase?
You must follow instructions. If it specifically says “lower case” or “small letters”, then you write that answer in that way.
Hi,
If in listening test for an example, I write “French restaurant” instead of ” A french restaurant” is it same?
I m practicing on a website, which marks my answers wrong due to these kind of minor discrepancies or difference of words used by me and the examiner.
Should we be so specific?
I m going for computer based by the way.
Thanks in advance
It is always best to use all capital letters for your answers. However, your answer would be marked right. It is important that you stop using such websites. Only use Official Practice Tests which you get directly from IELTS, not from an unofficial website.
Hi dear Liz
I’m so frustrated with capital letters!
Which of this answer is correct in Listening part?
1. October
2. october
3. OCTOBER
4. oCtoBer
I know the number 1 and 3 are correct but what about the other ones ( 2 and 4)?
Thanks a lot
Just stick with all capital letters and that way you can avoid being confused 🙂
Can we answer in all capital letters for computer-based exam also?
I’ve just edited the page above to include information about that. Please read the page again to learn 🙂
Dear Liz,
I am planning to take the computer- based IELTS. In this section, you talked about the paper based IELTS.
For the listening and reading parts, is it safe to write all answers in capital letters? ( like MOTIVATION instead of motivation) even if I chose the computer-based option ?
Thank you so much for your kind assistance
Jean
Yes, it’s fine for the computer based test as well.
does IELTS computer-based exam gives you an indication that the word is not correct (red underline) like Word for example. As I have read something like that
There is no language correction in CD IELTS. This is a language test, the computer cannot help you with grammar or vocabulary.
Hi Liz,
Thank you so much for the videos and practice materials it’s really been helpful. I have a question on the use of capital letters in speaking or writing IELTS test. Incase we have to spell and email address should it be I caps too? When writing Mr. Or Mrs. in caps do we maintain the full stop at the end? When writing initials such as J.K. is there need for the full stops too?
The dot is not required with their initials or titles.
In my reading test i wrote the answers instead of the alphabet options, like the answer was A. Middle East, so instead of writing A, i wrote Middle East. Will my answer be entirely incorrect?
If the answer is “A” and you wrote “Middle East” – they are not the same. A letter is a letter. You can’t write a letter and a word. And you can’t write a word only. You must write one letter and nothing else.
In my exam I write Roman numbers like I, II but in ques paper it was mention I, ii do I penalized or it will be ok
It’s fine to write them either way. Personally, I follow the instructions and write them as they are shown by IELTS, but it will still be marked correct your way.
Hi Liz,
I would like to know whether capital format will be accepted during online exam.
What would you recommend
Yes, of course. Just click the Caps Lock.
Hi Liz, what i can understand. Here, online exam means CD IELTS, right? So, does that mean, we can use all CAPS for Listening and Reading?
CD IELTS = Computer Delivered IELTS. Yes, you can use caps lock to type in all capitals.
Hello Liz,
Thanks a lot for your resources, they have been really helpful
I have a question. On this page, you mentioned that we must never use linking words to begin sentences hence, they must never be in capital letters and you cited the word ‘because’ as an example.
However,’because’ is used to begin sentences sometimes. e.g. ‘Because of the rising level of crime in urban areas, parents are more careful with the way they send their children on errands’.
I just need to confirm if this is wrong.
Thanks a lot.
Kelly
When you are writing a formal English language test, you should not use “because”, “and” or “but” at the start of a sentence.
Hey Liz,
I enjoy visiting your website. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone writing IELTS. The advice you give has been helpful. My question is, do you write time like this “7AM” or “7 AM”?
It makes no difference – as you want.
DEAR MADAM,
I’D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE VIDEOS AND MATERIAL.
IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPUTER BASED EXAM, I BELIEVE THAT CAPITALIZING ALL LETTERS WOULD BE AN EASY OPTION AND HAS LOWER CHANCE OF HAVING PUNCTUATION MISTAKES.
IF IT’S A VALID OPTION, WHY WOULD I GET LOW PUNCTUATION MARKS BY EXAMINER?
THANKS IN ADVANCE
It is fine to use capital letters for reading and listening. It is not recommended for writing. The correct use of capital letters is part of English grammar – if all your letters are capital, this aspect of grammar cannot be assessed. It also makes it harder to notice new sentences which of course are notable because they start with a capital letter.
I just want to be sure, I am getting conflicting information. In the listening and reading, when writing the answer, if the answer is a day of the week or a month of the year, “Monday”, or “May” for example, and you do not use capitalization.. > “monday” or “may”, this is not counted against you?
In the IELTS book, it shows an example answer sheet with some example answers and it shows for example “April” spelled with a capital letter, while the other answers are shown to have regular lower case letters. I assumed that this meant that all proper nouns, days of the week and such had to be spelled correctly and capitalized.
Thanks for your time.
I will repeat the advice I always give and the advice on this page: USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS TO WRITE YOUR READING AND LISTENING ANSWERS.
If the space on the answer sheet for listening or reading is not enough when i use capital letters what shall i do?
The space will always be enough. You can find sample answer sheets on the BC IELTS website to practise with.
Hello Madam. Your site is indeed a wealth of information for IELTS. Thanks for that. I am going to take my exam on February 9th,so I just got a doubt. Would be great if I get some inputs from you. While writing the answer either for reading or listening, if I am not able to fit the answer in the answer box,can I use a hypen and write below
The answer can always fit in the box.
Liz,
You have mentioned not to start a sentence with “but”. However, you have started one of your sentences on this page and another page with “But my advice is …” and “But it is not recommended …”!
I am confused if they are an error or exception.
You do not use “But” to start a sentence in a formal essay. It is fine to use it in informal communication. Try to see the difference between advice I give you for writing your essay, and how I communicate with you all informal on this blog.
hey Liz, well i facing problem to write alphabet ‘r’ in small, as answers of listening and reading are check by computer, so if i write all answers in capital letter it would affect my result or not?
As recommended, it is best to write ALL ANSWERS FOR LISTENING AND READING USING CAPITAL LETTERS.
Dear Liz,
I have the weakness right from childhood of writing Capital letters in between where they are not exactly required.
Request to kindly advise whether in IELTS Writing Task ( General Training) if i write Capital letters ( in the middle of the sentence or at places where they are not required) and use Non Capital letters ( where the Capital letters are actually required ) , will it affect my Writing Score) ?
Thanks You in Advance.
Best Regards,
Ankit Prakash
Yes, it will definitely lower your score. It would be a basic grammar mistake. If you plan your essay properly and control your timing, you can time things sot that you have 2 mins before the end of the test to correct your capital letters.
Thanks a ton Liz for answering the query. I’ll definitely follow your advice in IELTS examination.
Hey liz, thanks for your selfless help. I’m following all your tips and tricks thoroughly but i still have a query.
My question is will I get some extra 2-3 minutes before the academic writing test to read the question paper??
I don’t understand your question? What do you mean about extra time for the writing paper?
Will i get 2-3 mins extra to read and understand the question related to graph or diagram?
When you start the writing test, you will have one hour. You choose what to do with that one hour. If you want to spend 5 mins reading the diagram, you will have 55 mins left. You must manage your time as you want and decide how much time you spend planning before you start writing. There is no extra time for speaking, reading or writing.
Thankyou very much the information liz. 🙂
Hello Liz will you please help me understand this better? I always get confused about these.
If questions is like (10)$……….?
In answer is it okay to have the dollar sign on? i.e – $15 or 15
Similarly how should the time be written?
If question is like (10)……..pm
Do i write? 7 or 7pm?
Please help. Thanks in advance
You need to fill in the gap. That means you write what is missing only.
thanks a lot
Hie liz,
I have a doubt and its kind of giving me sleepless nights !
I gave my st on 27th october. There was a question in the reading section where the answer was student railcard and i wrote A STUDENT RAILCARD.
the condition was to use 3 words only and a number. Do you think its okay to use the letter A or will it be marked wrong ??
It completely depends on the question type. A short answer question would require no “a”. A sentence completion might require an “a”.
Hey, Liz! Thanks for your amazing lessons! I would like to clarify something with you.
If am using capital letters in ALL my answers then, when the answer is for example “25th March”. Should I write 25TH MARCH? or 25th MARCH?
Both fine. You can even write “25 MARCH”
If I want to write the line – ‘Sports like football, cricket, and rugby are becoming increasingly popular’, do the words – Football, Cricket, and Rugby need to be written in capital letters?
I think you know that we do not capitalise sports in English. They are capitalised only on charts as headings, but not in report writing.
Good day Liz,
Is writing $2,000 is correct or $2000(without a comma) is correct. though it is a number that can be written without the comma, I was told that it requires a comma. hence I would like to get it clarified with you please.
We use commas in English to help the reader see the number of 0’s. It is best to use commas.
thanks
Hi Liz,
Just want to know how do I write my answer as Mrs. Green or MRS. GREEN in ielts listening test as i will be writing all my listing answers in capital letters on 24-May exam.
The above page gives my recommendation.
Hey liza
I want to know if I am giving my reading session with small letters but true or false says to write in capital as they normally instruct.
What do I have to do?
Silly question but I would appreciate if you answer(:
I suggest all answers are written using capital letters.
How to write 18th in capital letters …like this18TH or what??
It makes no difference. You can in fact write the date without “th” in IELTS listening.
please tell about romen number ix i ii ? aur l ll lX etc please tell if we write them in upper case if we are writing all answers in upper case? same for choosing best options a b c d or ABCD?
They are numbers, not letters. Write them as you see them on the question paper.
Thank you so much for all the tips and videos.
Just to clarify, even if i choose to write all my responses in capitals for listening and reading, when it comes to options that are given in the qn paper such as ‘iv, ‘ii’, i should follow it as it is given and do not have to change it to ‘IV’, ‘II’ etc.
Also when it comes to units, these should be in capitals as well?
If the answer is 5KM, is it written as 5KM or as 5KMS with a ‘s’
For words such as long-term, is this considered as 1 word or 2 words.
Thank you and appreciate your help!
They are not letters, they are numbers. As long as they can be understood – write them as you will. I often tell students to write them as they see them on the question paper. 5km – no “s”
If I am not pretty sure about either “s” is pronounced or not.
Can I answer like this.
Car(s)
Television(s)
No, you can’t.
Hi Liz,
Is it allowed to write ” ‘s ” in IELTS? For example: “the world’s inhabitants” or “the planet’s expenditure” etc.
Thanks.
Yes, it’s fine.
So basically in reading and listening it’s not important whether it’s capital or small letter I will get the same mark?
I recommend all answers are WRITTEN USING CAPITAL LETTERS.
Hi Liz ,
If my answer is wrong but is it almost correct will I get marks
No. Your answer is either wrong or right.
Hi liz i wrote my writing test in capital letters nd i got 5.5.. am i penalised for capital font …
It is possible to use all capital letters for writing but it is not something that I advise. There are many reasons to get under band 6.
Hi Liz,
I write all the answers in reading and listening tests in capitals but i am confused about the questions in which you are required to choose the headings which are quoted as roman no.s(i,ii,iii…..ix, x). So do i have to write these as well in capitals in answer sheet as(I, II ….IX, X)?
Thanks for the time.Hoping for a reply.
Roman numerals are not letters. Write them as you see them on the question paper. However, it doesn’t actually matter which one you choose as long as your number can be read easily.
Hi Liz! I was wondering. In the listening test, a single question would require 2 answers sometimes. How should I write 2 answers in one box (or item number)? Should I use a semi- colon (;) to separate my answers?
Ex. APPLES; ORANGES
I’m hesitant to use “AND” because it is counted as 1 word already.
Your answer to my question is greatly appreciated.
Don’t use “and” because it is a word and will make your answer incorrect. The most usual way is to leave a space between the words so they are easy to read and easily distinguishable. For example: APPLES ORANGES
Hi Liz. please tell me the following for NOT MORE THAN 3 WORDS –
1) if we can separate both answers using a comma. for eg:
APPLE, ORANGES ( if the ans is of 2 words )
is that ok? or we have to write as you said
APPLE ORANGES?
2) one of the answer was
INTERVIEWS, JOURNAL ARTICLES
( they had a comma in the ans itself )
and my answer was –
INTERVIEWS , ARTICLES ( isnt this correct ? )
also what if i had written
INTERVIEWS AND ARTICLES ( it is still not more than 3 words )
You can use or not use a comma as you wish. A comma is not a word.
Yes, your answer would be right.
If you had added a word “and” it would have been wrong – depending on the question type.
Hi Liz!
Is it ok if I write the listening answers in all caps but answer the reading questions in small letters?
It’s fine.
How to write date in capital letters?
20th OCTOBER or 20TH OCTOBER
It’s better to write 20 OCTOBER. You don’t need to use “th” in the answer.
Dear Liz,
then does it mean that even if in the audio speaker says 20th October then also can we write 20 OCTOBER?
Yes.
Thank you very much Liz.
Wish you good luck and a healthy long life.
Hey liz!
Can we write on the pamphlets provided for reading and listening ?
Of course you can. You should underline key words both in the passage and the questions.
what if we write 22nd October instead of 22 October
Both answers are fine.
I always write in capital so 22ND OCTOBER IS RIGHT OR NOT plz reply
Yes.
Hi Liz,
Can I write all answers in Capital letters in Listening and Reading?
In your Listening tips video there is a pop-up saying, “capital letters are not marked in listening & the tip is not relevant”. Is this a new rule?
Please Liz explain me. I’m going to sit my exam next week. I am confused about this now.
Thank you..
My recommendation is that you use all capital letters for listening and reading answers.
Thank you Liz. I thought I will lose marks, if I write all in capital. You made it clear now. I will write all in capital letters.
Your lessons are very helpful for me.
Thank you again…
How to write date? for eg 22nd october is correct or else 22 october ? Which is correct?
Both are fine for listening.
What if it says in the listening 25th July !!!can I still write 25 July!!????
Is it correct !!???
yes
Hi Liz,
One of your video has a note saying IELTS Listening and Reading the Capital letters are not marked, is it true? Is this a new development? Do we have write in Small letters in Listening and Reading answer sheets?
My advice is to write all answers using capital letters.
Thank you Liz, I will go by your advice.
I have 4-5 days left for the test . I am aiming for a band 9 in all sections, I feel prepared for the listening and reading but feel the need to improve writing and speaking. How can I utilize my last 4-5 days to improve my writing and speaking score? I am currently planning to do more tests and also going through model answers on your blog. But, I am not sure if this is the right thing to do. Please advice.
Thanks,
Anupama
Get to know the band scores more: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/. Think of purchasing my advanced lessons for writing task 2 which are very detailed about techniques: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore. For speaking, review current topics and also practice inserting flexible grammar tenses into your answers in a natural way – practice expanding answers using future forms, past tenses, comparatives, second conditionals etc.
hello mam.
please answer my question as just only one day remains to my test. if i use all lower case in both reading and listening even for those words like days, names, or places its wright or wrong???
I recommend you use all capital letters for listening and reading. I do not recommend anything else.
Can i use starting letter of word as capital and remaining small in listening and reading tasks. For eg. Sitting (where s is caps and remaining are small)
It is best to use to all capital letters for your answers in listening and reading.
Will they provide us headphones for listening task? As its a rule not to carey any gadgets to exam room
Each test center is different about using headphones or not. You need to ask your test center directly. You can’t carry gadgets into the exam room. IELTS is an international test which is very strict.
Hello Liz,,God Bless You ^_^,, I’m Eza.
I like your video because I understand what you’r explain and I’ve done download all of your video
It’s my first time to study IELTS ,,
I wanna ask some tips to you to answer the listening IELTS test part of maps
I got difficult to answer that..
Thank you so much ,, ^_^
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening/
Hi Liz,
Just to clarify, do you actually lose marks for grammatical accuracy in the writing test if you capitalise everything (including words at the beginning of sentences, proper nouns, etc)? For example, would you lose any marks for writing (e.g.) “THE BAR CHART DESCRIBES WHEAT EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1960 AND 2000”? This is for someone who says it’s quicker and easier for him to write all in capitals.
Don’t use all capital letters for writing. Although it is possible to do so, it isn’t recommended. Grammar and punctuation are part of the marking for writing so use normal size letters. When you use all capital letters is makes it more difficult to see the end and start of new sentences. It can be confusing for the examiner – you don’t want that.
Dear Liz,
I hope that you are doing well. Thank you so much for your blog which is really beneficial for all IELTS student. I did my exam few days ago and wrote all listening answers in Capital letters, but I wrote the reading answers in Small ones . IS IT FINE TO DO THAT? Please let me know as I am afraid and confused
My best regards,
It’s fine.
Did you get your results? Listening and reading was ok?
You r sooo nice ? Your ideas sooooooooooooooooo good . Thanks for give us
liz … i must say you are one n only god bless you
liz … i must say you are one n only
Hello, Liz
I had an inquiry concerning listening. I was practicing Ielts Cambridge Tests and I got into this question
Is there’s anyone else that will be using the car?
Yes, my Brother in law
—————
And that’s what I wrote but when I checked the answer key I found out that it is written as
brother-in-law
would my answer be considered wrong?
Thank you
Yes, your answer would be wrong. How many words were possible for the answer? Your answer contained 5 words because you didn’t hyphenate. Also the answer was asking for a person – not the word Yes. You need to review answer keys and get used the techniques for writing answers.
Hello Liz,
Is it okay to vary the use of CAPITALS and small letters in an answer sheet? For example, answer 1 is in all CAPITALS and answer 2 is in all small letters and so on.
I am taking a test next week, and my plan is to use the CAPITALS only when needed because I am prone to make spelling mistake with CAPITALS. For normal words that I am confident, I will use small letters.
Thanks for your advice in advance.
Best Regards, Nhan
It is best to write ALL answers using capital letters for reading and listening.
Hello, Liz, I have the same question, I have exam in 2 days so I hope you will make it clear for me, I’m really confused right now. Can I use CAPITALS for the 1st answer but small letters for the 2nd question? I was said that if you choose to answer your 1st question in capitals you HAVE TO continue this for the next questions as well. Is it true?
If you use choose to use all capital letters, IT MEANS ALL YOUR ANSWERS ARE WRITTEN IN CAPITALS. All means all.
HI Liz
Is this still valid to have our answers in Capital ? I just saw your video which says “Capital Letters are not counted in Listening”
Awaiting your reply.
Thanks
Vijay
Yes, you can write your answers in all capital letters for listening. In fact, I recommend it.
Hi Liz,
28.03.1997 is considered as a one number or three numbers??
Thank you very much for all the information given in your blog and they are really helpful.
Cheers!
It is one number.
Hello mam is it ok if we write listening answers in this format: December
Walk By
Take
Years
I mean to say the first letter in capital and others in lowercase?? Will it deduct my marks?
Just write in all capital letters to be safe – it’s easier for listening and reading.
Hello madam, can I use all in answers in Capital letter? Is it accepted now? in your listening tips video, there is a pop-up screen showing capital letter is not accepted now while you were talking about capital letter issue. I have also found a pop-up at the end of the video about changed marking criteria. I am keen to know what are the recent changes in exam. Going to sit for exam next week, so I will be grateful if you let me know the changes made by exam authority.
It means it is fine to use capital letters – the message says they are no longer counted – it doesn’t matter.
If i write 5:00 pm instead of 5pm. Is it correct??
Yes.
Well, i just asked a question concerning the use of capitalization via the facebook of “IELTS OFFICIAL”.
The answer I got is
Hi Mook, you can write in capital or lowercase letters. It won’t affect your mark.
It doesn’t matter if you write in capital letters (MR SMITH), but if you write in lowercase letters, you will need to capitalise corretctly (Mr Smith NOT mr smith).
So, it is better and safer to write all in capital letters, isn’t it ?
Hello Liz,
I am from Bangladesh and I’m going to sit for the exam on 17th. I am really afraid on this issue regarding using CAPITAL LETTERS. So I’d like to ask you again, are you certain? I mean you’re from the UK and I was thinking are the examiners in my country going to consider it OK? Or they could disqualify my answers ( listening & reading) because of ALL CAPITAL LETTERS? Please let me know soon. My exam is very close 🙁
The country is irrelevant. This is an IELTS rule. Please see the Official IELTS Website: http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/test-day-advice/listening-test-advice
Hi Liz,
Thank you for the remarkable work you do.
Quick question regarding GT W1 – Is it acceptable to write “the summer” for e.g. “I have taken a course in the summer” or “I have taken a course in summer”
Thanks 🙂
We usually say “I have taken a summer course in history” or “I took a course in history this summer / during the summer”.
Hi Liz,
You nailed it with your examples about upper and lower case. Thanks for that.
I’ve couple of other questions.
Are the questions in listening always in order to the audio you listen to?
If I’ve to answer a question in ONE word would $10 be more appropriate than 10 dollars?
The answers in listening will follow the order of the questions. However, some questions, like selecting from a long list, might cover questions 4 to 6, this means that you select your answers from the same list for questions 4, 5 and 6. In that case, it will be in any order as it’s a list selection. Otherwise, it will all follow the order of the questions and you can use key words in the questions to navigate the recording. Does that make sense?
About words and numbers for listening. 10 dollars = one number and one word, $10 = one number. This is the same for writing, numbers are counted as words but symbols are not counted. But some questions already have the symbols provided so you don’t need them. I hope I’m not confusing you 🙂
Hi Liz,
I have a small confusion. In your earlier video about listening you told that to use either all capital letter or lower case but when using lower case in case of names of Day , Place, Acronyms, Countries and Titles then use the first letter of the word in Capital other can be written in lower case for example Japan, Mr, Sarah etc.
In this article you are saying that we can use lower and upper case in any way we like for listening and reading . Please elaborate
As you will see on the page of my website and youtube video, I have posted a notice that this information has changed.
Hello mam
I am Zinkal Patel from India.I have taken ielts exam on 8th of April 2017.Just I wanted to know about how can write dates formation in listening test. FOR Instance:- 11th December 2012.like this or 11TH DECEMBER 2012.
Anyway is fine.
Hello Liz,
Thank you for this blog I find it very useful for my IELTS preparation. I have a question concerning the WRITING TEST (both TASKs). I’m planning to write all the TASKS in Capital Letters. IF I WRITE A PHRASE LIKE THIS, WOULD IT BE CORRECT? I am planning in this sense to make the normal words with Capital Letters even higher/bigger than other one, in a way to let the examiner understand which are the Capital letters and what are the normal letter in the text. Would it be correct to write in such way? I planning to write like this because my style of writing could be more understandable.
Cheers,
from Italy
I advise you to write your answers in capitals for listening and reading. It is easier for the marker to read. However, I don’t advise this for writing. You need to show the correct use of punctuation, lower case and upper case – this is part of your grammar criterion.
Thanks my dear, your advice is very useful for us.
You’re welcome 🙂 See this page for more information: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-exam-tips-on-the-day/
Is it OK to write listening answers in Capital letters and reading answers in small ones ?
Mam can we write true – t, false-f, not given- ng
Yes, you can write these answers in letters.
Please give me some guideline on this cue card
Describe a walk that you like going on
you should say:
where the walk is
when you first went on the walk
what the walk is like
and explain why you like the walk
You could talk about a walk in a park or down your favourite street – you decide which is easiest to talk about.
Hi Liz! I was asked the question in listening: what type of people are the celebrities in your country? Is the examiner asking about their behavior and attitude of the celebrities or he means what kind of people are known as celebrities in my country???
In the speaking test, the question usually refers to their jobs: sports players, movie stars etc. But there is no right or wrong answer – you could easily interpret the answer differently and it won’t affect your score.
Please give me some guidelines on this CUE CARD
Describe a time that you felt proud of a friend
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-part-2-a-friend-you-are-proud-of-tips/
Dear Liz,
I am trying to order IELTS 10 & 9 (with audio) on line with no luck.
I wonder if anybody else has faced the same problem. I have tried Amazon and ebay.
Can you suggest other websites that I can purchase these books??
Thank you
Mohammad
Please try Book depository(Online bookstore with all the books you can think of)
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your very useful videos and tips.
I have taken my IELTS test in Dubai on 4th March 2017 .I used capital letters in my all the tests even in even in writing. Will it affect my score ?
IELTS have said that it’s ok to use capital letters in writing. The only problem is that it makes punctuation more difficult to assess and mark. Hopefully you will still do ok. Please keep me informed when your results arrive.
Thank you for your reply.
I shall keep you posted. The result will be released on 19th March. Hopefully will get my desired band score 🙂
Hi,
You say ” mR bRown ” is acceptable in the Listening test. I think this is contrary to what you taught in one of your youtube videos on tips for IELTS Listening test. Please clarify. Thanks
I have put a note with the video that this has been up-dated.
So what is the new rule!!!??? Pleeeeease guide me!!!??
It is not a new rule. Just use all capital letters and you’ll be fine.
This is really a helpful site for us.Thank you Liz
Hello Liz,
Great website with useful and very helping material. My question is, if I write everything in capital like MONDAY or STATION in reading or listening? Will that be OK? Because I did that in my test yesterday.
Of course – it’s fine. I’ll add it to the list above.
Hi liz,
I subscribe your website yesterday. Your website material is so helpful for the IELTS preparation at home. Please upload more video’s then we can more learn. Thanks Liz madam….
Thanks. I’m so glad you like my lessons. I upload new lessons on this website but more videos won’t be until the end of the year 🙁
Thank you Liz. That was very useful. I am training to become an IELTS Trainer
Good luck! It’s a great job. There is nothing better than seeing a student get a great band score and watching them continue with their future 🙂
Dear Liz,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your videos and the tips are very very useful. I followed all your guidelines and was able to achieve my desired band of 8.
Keep up the good work.
That’s excellent news!! Thanks so much for letting me know. Well done 🙂
Hi there,
Here Simran Jeet Singh Kalsi from India.
The information that you give us is really helpful and with them I scored this –
Reading -7.0
Speaking-7.5
Writing-6.5
Listening-9.0
Overall-7.5
Thanks a lot from bottom of my heart 😘
Well done!! Great listening score 🙂
I got problem in my writing. I hope somebody could help me.
See this page for task 1: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ and this page for task 2: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/. I also offer advanced lessons for writing task 2 which you can purchase: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Hi Liz
These were exactly the points I wanted to clarify on before I sat for the IELTS Test. Thank you for providing a good clarity in these aspects.
A very useful Post!
You’re welcome and good luck in your test!!
Hi Liz, Dayo from Nigeria
just got my ielts ukvi (academic) result for 11th Feb. exam
Reading 8
Listening 8
Writing 7
Speaking 7
Overall band 7.5
it perfectly fits the purpose i want it for. Thanks so much for the lessons and videos, immeasurable value!
Well done getting 7.5!! It’s a great score. I’m glad you got your desired score 🙂