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IELTS Listening Answers: Words in Brackets

by Adewoyin Josh
(ondo,nigeria)

In the listening test some answers have a word that is in brackets preceeding the other word.

Why is it important to put it in brackets?

e.g (strong) tower

Comments for IELTS Listening Answers: Words in Brackets

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Jun 16, 2018
 Listening Test Bracketed Words
by: IELTS buddy

That does not mean that you should be putting any of your answers in brackets.

When you see a word in the answer key in brackets, that is just telling you that the word is optional, so you will get the mark with or without it.

So if you write 'tower' as your answer, it is correct and 'strong tower' is also correct.

Don't put anything in brackets yourself on the answer sheet as it will probably be marked wrong.
Apr 20, 2020
 Formats of words to be used "capital" or "small" throughout listening & reading where-ever applicable
by: Anonymous

Hi Buddy,

I have been going through some confusion's. While, attempting a computer delivered IELTS (Reading & Listening) test, which size of the letters shall we use "CAPITAL" Or "small" letters, throughout our answer sheet. Apart from the one where it is required to use drag and drop and copy-paste.

Awaiting response from your end.

Regards
Anonymous
Aug 03, 2021
 Academic Reading doubt
by: Anonymous

If I wrote "fleshy husk" on my answer sheet and the mark scheme says "husk", my answer would be marked incorrect right?
This is for passage 1 in the reading test.
Aug 03, 2021
 Academic Reading doubt
by: IELTS buddy

I can't say for sure without seeing the actual test and the reading.

Sometimes extra words do fit in correctly but they have not been put on the answer key. So it could be an error on their part.

Of course I can't say for sure what instructions the person marking it may have, but you'd assume they would pick up any other possible answers and account for it.

If 'fleshy' doesn't fit though or you were only allowed to use one word, not two, then it will be wrong.

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Can we use brackets for IELTS listening test answers?

by amrit cheema
(india,punjab)

Hey,

Plz tell me if in listening module can we write 's' in brackets for plural?

For instance.....the answer is cats but I'm not sure if it is 'cat' or 'cats'

Can I write cat(s)?

Plzz tell me

Comments for Can we use brackets for IELTS listening test answers?

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Aug 18, 2013
 Using brackets
by: IELTS buddy

Hi,

No you won't be able to do that. Your answer needs to be grammatically correct.

Only 'cat' or 'cats' will fit, so you you must use the right one.

Thanks
Jul 28, 2015
 using slash in IELTS Listening and Writing
by: Mona

I will be appearing in IELTS exam in next couple of days. I am really confused on this. If an exact word is not given but we do understand what the writer means,then is it ok if we answer the question with two different words with the same meaning(synonyms) and put a slash or the word 'or' between them.
Jul 28, 2015
 using slash in IELTS Listening and Writing
by: Mona

i meant using slash in Listening and Reading
Jul 29, 2015
 Giving two possible answers
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Mona,

No you should not do that. If you do that it is just like you are having two attempts at a possible answer.

There will be one correct answer and you must put that.

Brackets or slashes are just seen in answer keys to show what could be acceptable as an answer.

For example if it was "(the) town" in the answer key, then is is ok if you put "the town" or "town" in your answer.
Feb 12, 2016
 Do we use "/" in writing tasks?
by: Anonymous

What about using "/" in writing tasks? for examples he/she, his/her? Is that accepted or best avoided? thanks,
Feb 12, 2016
 Do we use "/" in writing tasks?
by: IELTS buddy

They won't put you in a position where you need to choose between 'he' or 'she'. That would just complicate things.
Mar 17, 2016
 answer key in brackets for IELTS listening
by: Anonymous

When evaluting the key after the practice test listening and reading, i observed some of the answers written in brackets, is it optional to write or compulsory to write?
Plz tell me.
Mar 17, 2016
 answer key in brackets for IELTS listening
by: IELTS buddy

Yes the words in brackets are optional. It is correct with or without them.
Jun 15, 2016
 reading session
by: saima

How I write the yes / No inn Not Given. In the book they write in all capital such as YES, NO, NOT GIVEN. How I write the in answer sheet, should we write in all as capital letters
Jun 16, 2016
 reading session
by: IELTS buddy

Either would be ok
Apr 22, 2017
 Doubt
by: Anonymous

The listening answer was 4....And I written in this way 4/four....Is this allowed for marks or not ...Plz mention it
Apr 24, 2017
 Doubt
by: IELTS buddy

There's no information on the official IELTS website as to whether they would accept that so it's not possible to know.

But generally speaking as they are looking for just one answers you should just choose one format and use that rather than using a slash and both.
Jun 21, 2017
 Word limit
by: Anonymous

When evaluating the key after the practice test listening, it was mentioned not more than 2 words and/or numbers.

The answer in the key is written as 13(th) May 2012 and 29 Sunset street. Actually the answers should be this but its clearly given not more than 2 words.

So is it correct to mention as this is coming as 3 words.
Jun 28, 2017
 Word limit
by: IELTS buddy

Actually that is classed as 'one word' and 'two numbers', not three words for the first one and 'two words' and 'one number' for the second.

So the instructions do not seem correct. Maybe there is an error with them.

Were you using one of the official Cambridge practice tests or something else?
Jul 09, 2017
 Double meaning right answers
by: Anonymous

In recording she said "the food of the hostel is awful so i have a problem with it in the accommodation"

Now the question was "her feelings about the accommodation".

I wrote "food is awful"

But answer was "awful food"

Is my answer correct? Plz tell me.
Jul 14, 2017
 Double meaning right answers
by: IELTS buddy

How many words did the instructions say you could use? If it was two your answer will be wrong. If it's three I think they would allow it as your answer fits grammatically.
Jul 31, 2017
 Listening multiple answers to a single question
by: Sushant

In listening, if there are two answers in a single question like:

1) Name 2 things that are provided for free
______________ and _____________

And suppose the answers are 'Camera' and 'flights', then how should I write in the answer sheet.

Please help me
Aug 01, 2017
 Listening multiple answers to a single question
by: IELTS buddy

If it is just one question then just write the two words onto the sheet in the space for that question, that will be fine.
Mar 16, 2018
 Use of Slash in IELTS Listening
by: Zahid

Hi IELTS Buddy

I have one question pertaining to IELTS listening. Suppose that the speaker said Suggestions while speaking on any topic and Suggestions is the right answer, but if I was unable to listen clearly whether it was suggestions or suggestion and I mention the answer in listening answer sheet in this way SUGGESTIONS/SUGGESTION, would my answer be marked wrong or right?
Mar 17, 2018
 Use of Slash in IELTS Listening
by: IELTS buddy

No you wouldn't get the mark because that is like giving you two chances and it wouldn't be fair on others who gave one answer.
Apr 21, 2018
 Brackets for IELTS listening
by: David

Hello,

I would like to know about putting brackets. For example if the answer is 'in writing' and if I have written '(in) writing' is it considered as wrong just because for putting it.
Apr 27, 2018
 Brackets for IELTS listening
by: IELTS buddy

It's very likely it would get marked wrong.

The brackets are just for the answer key to show that a word could be used or omitted and still be correct.

It's not for the candidate to use, as that is like having two guesses.

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