Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
The official rules
ielts.org's Listening and Reading pages give the same rules: read the instructions carefully because the number of words or numbers can change; a word limit is given, for example 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER'; you lose the mark for writing more than the limit; contracted words such as 'they're' are not tested; and hyphenated words such as 'check-in' count as single words (ielts.org Listening, ielts.org Reading). IDP quotes another variant, 'NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER' (IDP).
Worked examples from IDP
IDP's examples show how the limit applies to real answers (IDP number punctuation, IDP avoiding zero).
| Instruction | Answer | Result |
|---|---|---|
| NO MORE THAN ONE WORD | two-thirds | Correct: hyphenated, one word |
| NO MORE THAN ONE WORD | two thirds | Wrong: two words |
| NO MORE THAN ONE WORD | 2/3 or 2 thirds | Wrong: uses a number |
| ONE WORD AND A NUMBER | 4.5 million | Allowed |
| Any limit | good-looking, 3-year-old | Each counts as one word |
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Two more ways to lose the mark
Do not repeat a word that is already in the sentence. IDP's example: if the gap follows "generous", writing "giving family members" is wrong because "giving" duplicates the question; "family members" is right (IDP).
Do not cut so much that the answer becomes too general. In IDP's next example, "immediate family members" is correct and "family members" is wrong, because the text contrasts close and distant relatives (IDP). Use the words you are allowed when they are needed for precision.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hyphenated word count as one word in IELTS?+
Yes. ielts.org says hyphenated words such as check-in count as single words.
What happens if I write three words when the limit is two?+
You lose the mark, even if the words are correct, per ielts.org.
Does 'a number' mean I must write a number?+
No. 'And/or' means the answer may be words, a number, or both, within the limit.
Is the word limit the same for every task?+
No. ielts.org says it can change, so read the instruction above each task.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS Listening test format
- Do you have to use exact words in IELTS Reading?
- How to write numbers in IELTS Listening
- Short-answer Reading practice
- All 3112 guides
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