IELTS lesson · Listening

IELTS Listening Spelling and Numbers notes

Write exactly what you hear, then check every letter. This IELTS lesson is a deck of 10 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 10 cards
  • 3 cards free
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 4-step method: letters, numbers, endings and check. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.

The first 2 of 10 cards

Preview

  1. IELTSListening · Spelling and numbers

    Heard it, still lost it

    the spelling trap

    A gap answer is marked for spelling too. Hearing the word is half the job. The letters have to be right as well.

    Heard: two recommendations. Written: recomendationone m short. One m missing, and no plural s.

    Wrong letters, no mark.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 10
  2. IELTSListening · Spelling and numbers

    Say it, then write it

    what the ear gives, what the pen writes

    What you hear, what you write
    You hearYou write
    double TTT
    oh, in a phone number0
    twelve fifty, a price12.50
    a hundred and fifty150
    the third of May3 May
    nineteen ninety-eight1998

    Write it the way the form prints it. A hyphenated word such as check-in counts as one word.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 10
  3. Card 3 of 10 onwards

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10 cards

Contents

  1. 1Heard it, still lost itthe spelling trapIn the preview
  2. 2Say it, then write itwhat the ear gives, what the pen writesIn the preview
  3. 3Four checks for every answerletters, numbers, endings, checkFree account
  4. 4Move 1: spelled-out lettersa name, one letter at a timeWith a plan
  5. 5Move 2: numbers and datesteens, tens, prices and daysWith a plan
  6. 6Move 3: endingsthe plural -s is a letter tooWith a plan
  7. 7Two spelling trapsdouble letters and missing sWith a plan
  8. 8Teen or ty?the ending decides the numberWith a plan
  9. 9Your turnspell it, format it, pluralise itWith a plan
  10. 10Save thisthe spelling and numbers checklistWith a plan

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Questions

FAQ

Is the Listening spelling and numbers lesson free?+

The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.

Can I download the Listening spelling and numbers PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS Academic or General Training?+

Both versions of the test: it covers what they share and says where they differ.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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