Yesterday I posted a list of words and numbers. I asked you to decide how they were counted by IELTS. Check the answers below.

You can also find useful links about word count information in IELTS using the links below.

How are words counted – Answers

The answers below show how these words and numbers are counted in IELTS writing and IELTS listening. The reading test uses the same system as the listening test.

1. fair-haired
   1.  This is counted as one word. It is a compound noun but it is connected by a hyphen to make one word.
2. 55%
   1. This is counted as one word in writing and as one number in listening. 
3. 1960’s
   1. This is counted as one word in writing and one number in listening.
4. 21st July
   1. This is counted as two words in writing and in listening is it one number and one word.
5. can’t
   1. This is counted as one word. Although it has a meaning of two words, the words are contracted to make one word.
6. blackboard
   1. This is counted as one word only.
7. 9am
   1. This is counted as one word in writing. In listening, it is counted as one number only. The “am” does not count as a word on its own.
8. up-to-date
   1. This is counted as one word because it is a compound noun joined with hyphens.
9. at school
   1. This is counted as two words.
10. $19.17
    1. This is counted as one word in writing and in listening it is counted as one number. Symbols do not count at all.

Useful Links to Learn more about IELTS

Learn how all words are counted in IELTS

Learn about how many words to write for your essay

IELTS Test Information & Tips: over 100 questions answered

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Hi guys,

I’ve posted the answers to the prepositions lesson on the original page. Click here: Prepositions Lesson with Answers

All the best

Liz

Questions, Answers & Transcript: Blue-footed Bird Listening Practice

Do not look at the answers until you have finished the listening lesson.

If you have not finished this listening lesson, please click here: Blue-footed bird listening practice

Transcript:

These boobies live off the western coasts of Central and South America. The Galápagos Islands population includes about half of all breeding pairs of blue-footed boobies. They are aptly named, and males take great pride in their fabulous feet. During mating rituals, male birds show off their feet to prospective mates with a high-stepping strut. The bluer the feet, the more attractive the mate.

All half-dozen or so booby species are thought to take their name from the Spanish word “bobo.” The term means “stupid,” which is how early European colonists may have characterized these clumsy and unwary birds when they saw them on land—their least graceful environment.

Below are the questions and answers for the lesson on linking words this month. I hope you found this lesson useful 🙂

Questions 

1. ……………. the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
   1.  A) Although   B) Despite   C) So
2. ………….. the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
   1.  A) But    B) Although  C) Despite
3. People should eat a balanced diet …………….. avoid serious health problems.
   1. A) due to    B) so     C) in order to
4. …………… there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
   1. A) While  B) In spite of  C) Even so
5. ………………….. more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
   1. A) Consequently   B) As a result  C) As a result of  D) Owing to

Answers

1. B
   1. Despite the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
   2. It is not possible to have “Although” in this sentence. The meaning is correct, but the grammar is wrong. If you wanted to use “Although”, you would need to change the sentence: ” Although the government is building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.”
2. B
   1. Although the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
3. C
   1. People should eat a balanced diet in order to avoid serious health problems.
4. A
   1. While there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
   2. The linking words “in spite of” have the right meaning, but can’t be used in this sentence. If you want to use “in spite of” you need to change the grammar structure of the sentence: “In spite of some children not finding it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
5. C & D
   1. As a result of more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
   2. Owing to more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
   3. It is not possible to have “Consequently”. The meaning is fine, but the grammatical structure of the sentence makes it impossible to use. Using “consequently” = More and more people are moving to the city to find jobs and, consequently,  housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
   4. The linking word “as a result” must have the proposition “of” with it for this sentence. Using “as a result” without “of” = More and more people are moving to the city to find jobs and, as a result, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.

To use linking words correctly, you must understand both their meaning and the correct grammatically way to use them in a sentence. See a full list of linking words for your essay: IELTS Linking Words List.