IELTS Spelling: US or UK?

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Does IELTS accept UK or US spelling? Can you write “colour” or “color” in your IELTS test? Will you lose marks if you use US vocabulary?

What is IELTS?

IELTS means “International English Language Testing System”. This means that it is not a UK English test, it is an International English Language test.

US or UK Spelling in IELTS?

As IELTS is international, it means that you can choose either UK or US spelling. So, if you write “specialized” or “specialised”, both are accepted.

Can I use UK and US spelling in my writing?

No, you can’t mix your spell. You must choose all US spelling or all UK spelling. You can’t write some words with American spelling and other words with British spelling. Choose your language and stick to it.

US / UK Vocabulary List

See this list of vocabulary with both spelling: US UK Vocabulary Spelling List (this is from a different website).

More IELTS Test Information

If you want to learn more about the IELTS test – get rules and tips, see my IELTS Information Page

If you want model answers, tips and free video lessons, see the main pages below:

Main IELTS Pages

Develop your IELTS skills with tips, lessons, free videos and more.

Get my free lessons by email

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IELTS GT Letter 2017 with Model Answer

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The IELTS General Training letter below was reported in the IELTS test this year. It is a typical formal letter that can appear in IELTS GT writing task 1. The task was reproduced as accurately as possible by IELTS students.
 
IELTS General Training writing task 1 is a letter which you must write in 20 mins with over 150 words. You can find useful tips on this page: Essential Tips for IELTS GT Letter Writing. For more useful links, see below.
 

IELTS General Training Letter 

 
You recently read an article in newspaper about someone you know personally. You found some information is wrong. Write a letter to editor to inform him about it. Use following points:
  • What is the article about?
  • What is the error?
  • What you expect an editor to do?

IELTS GT Letter Model Answer

  • Spot the errors in the letter below to find out why this letter didn’t get band 9.
 
Dear Sir,
 
I am writing to you regarding the recent article you published about Sir David Markham last week, April 2nd , in The Times newspaper.
 
The article gives a breif biography of Sir David’s life and then continues to focus on his work and the impact it has had. The biography starts with his birth in Edinburgh and his later move in 1962 to Durham University. From there, it focuses on his work with the UN.
 
I would like to point out an error in your article. Documentation shows that Sir David did not go directly from Edinburgh to the University of Durham, in 1961. In fact he took a gap year in Europe working with a volunteer program and then went to University in 1962.  I know this as I worked with him in Europe and become friends with him. His year abroad, which is absent from your article, created the foundation of his philosophy of life which guided him through his work in later years.
 
I hope you will publish this correction in the newspaper. Sir David’s work is still of immense importance and people should know the importance of that gap year in his life.
 
Looking forward to a positive reply.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Jane Frankland
 
Comments: Estimated band score 8. The task has been completed but there are some issues with the letter. Below are a few points highlighted:
1) Second Paragraph: breif = brief
2) Third Paragraph: become friends = became friends
3) Yours sincerely = Yours faithfully

IELTS General Training Useful Links:

 Click links below to open …
 
All GT Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Letters etc: IELTS Writing Task 1 (please note you need to scroll to the bottom of the page to find the GT section)
 

……………….

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IELTS Tops Scores Feb 2017: Band Score 9

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Hi guys,

I thought you would like to see some of the top scores that some students have achieved last month (Feb 2017). I want you all to know that top scores in IELTS are possible.

Below you can also find useful IELTS preparation tips 🙂

Overall Band Score 9

Two students achieved OVERALL BAND SCORE 9  !!!

ielts band score 9 top results

See their results below:

  1. Saif: L 8.5, R 8.5, W 9 and S 9 = overall band 9.  His personal details have been removed from the certificate. He mentioned in his email:

“You can also mention that I only used your videos as study material for test preparation. I watched around ten of your videos and that was good enough to get an understanding of the test layout.” 

  • Below are links to my videos and tips

Student Band Score 9

2. Niharika: L 9, R 9, W 8.5 and S 8.5 = overall band 9

“I already shared my scores on your blog post about the test results (N G CST is the username). Please feel free to share my results/experience with others. Reading others’ experiences helped me tremendously and I think sharing my experience will definitely be useful.  I resat for IELTS exam on 11 February 2017 in Saint Paul, USA.” Her speaking score went from 7.5 to band 8.5 after taking the test again. You can see her scores posted on my Post Results Page

Below are some of the tips for speaking I gave her:

Part 1 – Listen for the grammar in the question. Past tense question = past tense answer. Second conditional question = 2nd conditional answer. This is an English language test – show the accuracy of your language. For example:
Q: Can you swim?
A: Yes, I can but I wish you could do better and had more time to practice.
This demonstrates the right grammatical answer “can you = I can” and also future forms by adding hopes.
You will know the topics in part 1 because the examiner will say “Lets talk about sport” – then you know you will get 3 or 4 questions about sport. Or “moving on to weather” – now the topic has changed to weather. Listen for the topic and give examples of topic vocab.
Part 2
This is a chance for you to control the language you produce. A chance for you to show you deserve a high score by giving examples of great English.
Showcase your skills. You can add any information and change the prompts – but stick to the topic and pay attention to grammar tenses. Because you can add anything, it means you should be speaking for 2 mins. There is no reason to stop – you can say anything!!!!! So, show the examiner you have no problem to speak at length – fluency!!
Part 3
Discussion. This is chance to you to explain your ideas and develop ideas. It is not because you are marked on ideas, it is because you can show higher level language. The examiner doesn’t care what you think – only what your English is like. So, explain in depth and use higher level English.
 ———————————————————————–

Overall Band Score 8.5

6 students got an IELTS overall band score of 8.5 this month.
  • Gurinda = L 8, R 9, W 7.5 and S 8.5
  • Kristine = L 9, R 8.5, W 7.5 and S 9
  • Rohan =  L 8.5, R 9, W 7.5 and S 8.5
  • Patricia = L 9, R 9, W 8.5 and S 8.5
  • M Harris = L 9, R 8.5, W 7.5 and S 8.5
  • Ajuraj = L 8.5, R 8.5, W 9 and S 7
 ——————————————————–

Overall Band Score 8 or 7.5

  • 11 students got an overall score of 8
  • 13 students got an overall score of 7.5
 ———————————————-

IELTS Preparation Tips

Nobody finds IELTS very easy. Even band score 9 students need to prepare and develop the right skills for the test. Here are a couple of tips for your preparation. Click the links to open useful pages:
  1. Learn everything you can about the test. Learn the rules. Learn what is allowed and not allowed.  See my IELTS Information page to learn as much as you can about the IELTS Test.
  2. Develop your English. For speaking and writing, you need to avoid making errors in vocabulary and grammar. Find some Useful Websites to help you.
  3. Learn tips to ensure you use the right techniques, practice and FREE VIDEO LESSONS. Click below to open page:
    1. IELTS Listening Tips
    2. IELTS Reading Tips
    3. IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips
    4. IELTS Writing task 2 Tips
    5. IELTS Speaking
  4. Start learning Ideas for IELTS Topics and also Vocabulary for IELTS Topics
  5. Never do your IELTS test until you have practiced a real IELTS test at home under the time limit. You need to get the IELTS Cambridge Test books

Well done to all of you who have done so well in your tests!!!

And good luck to all of you about to take your test!!

Liz

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kids or children / teens or teenagers

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A lot of students have a problem knowing what type of vocabulary to use in their IELTS test. Below are two examples:

Which words to use?

kids or children?

teens or teenagers?

Answer

You can find the answer to this here: Answer to Kids or Children

 

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Do you understand how words are counted in IELTS?

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Many students don’t understand how words and numbers are counted in IELTS.

Below is a list of answers. Are they counted as:

  • one word?
  • one word and one number?
  • two words?
  • two words and a number?
  • three words?

Answers are found in the link below.

How are words counted?

How are the following answers counted in IELTS?

  1. fair-haired
  2. 55%
  3. 1960’s
  4. 21st July
  5. can’t
  6. blackboard
  7. 9am
  8. up-to-date
  9. at school
  10. $19.17

Answers

To see the answers and explanation for the above, click on this link: Answers to how words are counted

 

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Can you answer TFNG? Answers to Q1

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What is your answer to the following? Think carefully before you check the answer with the explanation. Do you think the following is True, False or Not Given. Decide your answer, then check if you are right – good luck!

Passage: Workers are entitled to up to 10 days paid sick leave per year, however, more than 4 continuous days requires a medical certificate.


Question : A full worker needs a doctors note if he is sick for 4 days in a row.

Answer 

Click below:

Answer and Explanation

Explanation & Paraphrasing:
Full worker – is this information given in the passage? Yes, it is because word “workers” refers to all types of workers.
Need = required
doctors note = medical certificate
in a row = continuous
for 4 days = this does not match. The passage says that someone needs to be sick for MORE THAN 4 days to need a doctors note.

The information in the statement is given in the passage but it does not match the passage because people do not need a sick note for being sick for 4 days – they need a sick note for more than 4 days.

Answer = FALSE

Well done to all students who got the answer right 🙂

 

IELTS TFNG Practice

Click below to get more TFNG and YNNG practice.

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Spelling Practice

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This is a chance for you to practice your spelling. In IELTS writing, spelling mistakes will lower your score so make sure you improve your spelling as much as you can before your test.

Look at the words below and decide:

  1. if the words are spelled correctly
  2. if there is a mistake – if so, how should the word be spelled?

Spelling Practice

Are the following words spelled correctly or not?

  1. polution
  2. detrimental
  3. juviniles
  4. differentiate
  5. confidance
  6. enviromental
  7. infastructure
  8. wheras
  9. categories
  10. circumstence
  11. sufficently
  12. proffesional
  13. intigrate

Answers – click below

Answers

  1. wrong = pollution
  2. correct
  3. wrong = juvenile
  4. correct
  5. wrong = confidence
  6. wrong = environmental
  7. wrong = infrastructure
  8. wrong = whereas
  9. correct
  10. wrong = circumstance
  11. wrong = sufficiently
  12. wrong = professional
  13. wrong = integrate

 

To learn vocabulary for IELTS, follow this link: IELTS Vocabulary

Main IELTS Pages

Develop your IELTS skills with tips, lessons, free videos and more.

Get my free lessons by email

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Why are My IELTS Results Withheld or Delayed?

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Learn why your IELTS results are withheld and what you can do about it. 

Why your IELTS results are withheld

When you apply for your IELTS test and fill in the application form, you will find the terms and conditions attached to the form. You should read these terms and conditions very carefully because you will find three points which explain that your results may be withheld or cancelled.

IELTS Terms and Conditions: Withholding Results

The following points can be found on your IELTS application form under the terms and conditions:

  • Your result may not be issued 13 days after the test if the IELTS Test Partners decide that it is necessary to review any matter associated with your test or the administration of your test. To assist any investigation, you may be required to provide writing and speaking samples. In exceptional circumstances you may be required to re-take one or more IELTS components.

The above point explains that you may not get your results after 13 days because IELTS want to check them more carefully. There are two main reasons given: 1) they want to check your test again 2) they are doing quality control checks on how the test is managed.

  • Your result may be cancelled after it has been issued if any irregularity is identified. You may be required to re-take one or more IELTS components.

This means that if there are any problems with your test, your results might be cancelled  and you might need to take your test again or part of your test again. An “irregularity” means that something occurred relating to your test or how it was managed which was not usual or acceptable.

  • If any of the data on the Test Report Form provided by you or your agent to Recognising Organisations has been altered in any way, your original test result may be cancelled.

This point shows that if any information you give has been altered, your result might be cancelled. So, be careful about providing the right information and only use reputable agents.

You now see that IELTS have the right to withhold or cancel your results for certain reasons, usually for analysing and quality checking.
When you sign your application form, you also agree that you accept a possible delay in results. Your signature is agreeing to the terms and conditions above.

IELTS will email you if your results are withheld or cancelled. If you don’t get this email, check your spam folder or contact your test center.

What can you do about it?

If your results have been delayed, you just need to wait and be patient.

Your results will arrive but there is no fixed time limit. Some students receive their results within just one week or a couple of weeks. However, for others, it might be longer – a month or even 3 months.

Can you take your test again? Sure you can. See below for advice:

Taking your Test Again

If you don’t want to wait, you can take your test again.

When you take more than one test, you can choose which results to use. You can choose to use the highest results. So, it won’t matter that you end up with two sets of results – just choose the best one to use for your future.

Booking your Test in Advance

When you decide the date for your IELTS test make sure you have a few months before your actual deadline because your results might not arrive after 13 days.

Give yourself lots of time to prepare for IELTS and to get your results!!

IELTS Test Information

Learn more about your IELTS test. Learn conditions, rules and tips: IELTS Test Information Page

Main IELTS Pages

Develop your IELTS skills with tips, lessons, free videos and more.

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

 

 

 

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