Writing numbers as words or in number form for IELTS

Question

Recently, I' ve been trying to find out what form IELTS accepts for listening answers related to the listening test.

For example, if you hear that there were 70 people invovled in something. then would your answer be 70 or seventy?

Many IELTS websites seem to contradict each other.about this.

My main concern is whether or not to use words or numbers for answers that refer to dates ,age, money. measurement etc.

Is there an actual IELTS website run by the company itself that gives advice about this.

PS: I am volunteering with a newcomer in Canada and want to provide her with accurate information.

THANK YOU.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I just poked around online and found nothing specific from IELTS regarding the style they want. That was disappointing. I expected them to say.

The standard for US English is The Chicago Manual of Style. In the UK, The Oxford Guide to Style will tell you what to do.

CarewFor example, if you hear that there were 70 people invovled in something. then would your answer be 70 or seventy?

In academic writing, a good rule of thumb is to spell out single-digit numbers and use numerals for the rest. There are exceptions, of course (there always are). For instance, you spell out "million" and the like sometimes.

CarewMy main concern is whether or not to use words or numbers for answers that refer to dates ,age, money. measurement etc.

You and me both. You have to use a stylebook. Any college bookstore will sell you a decent one if you don't want to spend a bundle on the bibles. The rules for numbers are legion and persnickety. You should also bring any questions you have about particular items here.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Here is the answer from the APA style guide. University level writing frequently uses this guide for academic writing. The "OWL" (Online Writing Lab) from many universities refer to this guide.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa6_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_numbers.html

Here is an exercise with writing numbers:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl_exercises/writing_numbers/writing_numbers/writing_numbers_exercise.html

AlpheccaStars · Answer

CarewFor example, if you hear that there were 70 people invovled in something. then would your answer be 70 or seventy?

My perspective:

1. If they actually said "seventeen" and you wrote 70 or seventy, there would be no difference in the score.

2. On the other hand, if you wrote "seventeen" or 17, there would be no difference in the score, either.

There would be a significant difference between the score you get for ( 1) and the score you get for ( 2).

Writing numbers as words or in number form for IELTS

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions