## **Learning Outcomes**

After reading this article, you will be able to use correct spelling, number forms, and conventions for dates, addresses, and numbers as required in the IELTS exam. You will know how to write dates, addresses, and figures (such as telephone and room numbers) clearly and in accepted exam formats, identify and avoid typical mistakes, and apply conventions that affect your marks in Listening, Reading, and Writing tasks.

## **IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus**

For IELTS, you are required to use accurate spelling and proper conventions for entering dates, addresses, and numbers. For revision, focus on these syllabus areas:

- Write days of the week, months, street types, and place names with correct spelling and capitalisation in all answers.
- Use British date formats and acceptable variants as specified for IELTS.
- Enter addresses by following accepted order, abbreviations, and punctuation conventions as required by the instructions.
- Record telephone numbers, room numbers, prices, and other figures accurately and in accepted formats, including conventions for "double" and "oh."
- Avoid common errors in writing numbers or misapplying required word/numeral formats that can lead to lost marks.

## **Test Your Knowledge**

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. Which date formats are acceptable for writing "seventh of September 2024" in an IELTS Listening answer?
2. How should you write the phone number "zero one one eight double four two three seven five nine two" on your Listening answer sheet?
3. What address format is used for "Flat 12A, 15 New Road, Bristol, BS6 3QP" in IELTS?
4. Write a price for "three pounds fifty" in an IELTS answer.

## **Introduction**

IELTS answers must follow clear spelling, number, and formatting conventions, especially for dates, addresses, and figures found in Listening, Reading, and Writing tasks. Inaccuracies—such as spelling days or months wrong, missing capital letters, writing addresses with omitted elements, or miswriting a phone number—will cost you marks, even if the information is technically correct. Knowing and practising the required formats ensures you record answers quickly, clearly, and as IELTS examiners require.

> **Key Term: Spelling Convention**
> Rules for the correct spelling, capitalisation, and abbreviation of names, days, months, and addresses as required for IELTS.
>
> **Key Term: Date Format**
> An accepted way to write or record dates that is allowed by IELTS, primarily following the British English model.
>
> **Key Term: Address Format**
> The standard order and presentation of address information (number, street name/type, city/town, postcode) required in IELTS answers.
>
> **Key Term: Numerical Format**
> IELTS-approved methods for writing numbers—including single digits, double digits, and dictated phrases like "double" or "oh" for zero.

## Spelling and Capitalisation Requirements

Correct spelling is required for all days, months, and address parts. Always use capital letters for:

- Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
- Months: April, October, December
- Places and streets: London, High Street, Queen’s Avenue, Bristol

Do not use abbreviations unless the question requires it or audio dictates (“St” for “Street” is usually accepted; “Ave” for “Avenue” is also permitted). Do not add extra punctuation such as periods/full stops.

### Typical Errors and How to Avoid Them

Common mistakes include:

- “Febuary” (incorrect: should be “February”)
- “tuesday” (incorrect: should be “Tuesday”)
- “apartment 4b” (dose not capitalise “Apartment” or “B”)
- Not capitalising city names or missing postcode capitals

## Writing Dates in IELTS

Date answers must use correct British (and accepted international) formats to earn marks:

Accepted formats:

- 7 September 2024
- 7th September 2024
- 07/09/2024 (if writing in number-only spaces e.g. on a form)
- 7 September, 2024 (comma optional)
- September 7, 2024 (American style, accepted but not preferred)

Instructions may specify “in words” or “in numbers only.” Do not mix systems (e.g., “07th Sept 2024” is NOT accepted).

> **Key Term: Ordinal Number**
> A number designating order—like "1st", "2nd", "3rd", "21st"—used in speaking or sometimes written in British date formats.

## Address Formats in IELTS

Standard order for addresses:
Number/Flat – Street type/name – Town/City – Postcode

- Example: Flat 12A, 15 New Road, Bristol, BS6 3QP
- Example: 221B Baker Street, London, NW1 6XE

All parts should have correct capitals. Postcodes must use only capitals and must not have invented hyphens or spaces (copy the format spoken).

Usual abbreviations are:

- "St" for Street, "Rd" for Road, "Ave" for Avenue, "Dr" for Drive

Omit extra punctuation—do not write “St.” or “Ave.” with a full stop.

## Telephone and Number Entry

Numbers—such as phone, room, car registration, account, or street numbers—are usually dictated digit by digit. Write “0” as either a digit (“0”) or capital letter “O” (both are accepted by IELTS for British numbers).

“Double” means you write two of that digit:

- “double four” = “44”

Enter all digits with no extra punctuation unless there are clear spaces in the question. Do not use words for numbers unless specifically told to.

> **Key Term: Number String**
> A series of digits to be written together for answers like phone numbers or codes, without added punctuation or words.

## Recording Years, Prices, and Other Figures

- Years: Write in full numerals (e.g., 1999, 2024)
- Prices: Use the correct symbol and numbers (e.g., £3.50, €7.20, \$18)
- Ages: Use digits (e.g., 21, 16, 47)
- Measurements: Use digits and abbreviations as spoken (e.g., “15 km”, “50 kg”)

If a Reading or Listening question has “one word or a number,” either the word (“seven”) or the digit (“7”) is usually correct.

> **Key Term: Price Convention**
> The accepted style for writing money values in IELTS, always with the currency symbol before the number, and a full stop for the decimal.

## Capitalisation Practice

Rules to remember:

- Always capitalise the first letter of months, days, cities, and street names.
- Address elements (apartment/flat, street, building) all require capitals.
- Never substitute lower-case words or misspellings.
- Telephone and room numbers as digits only, without extra capitals.

## Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Styles

- **Correct:** 27 Algernon Road, Oxford, OX4 9EL
- **Incorrect:** 27 algernon road, oxford, ox4 9el
- **Correct for phone:** 011844237592 or 0118 442 37592
- **Incorrect:** oh one one eight double four two, three seven five nine two

## Penalties in IELTS

- Incorrect spelling of days, months, or names: answer is marked wrong.
- Incomplete address (missing flat, city, postcode), missing capitals, or invented abbreviations: answer is marked wrong.
- Writing a number as a word when digits are required—or vice versa—may also cost a mark.
  > **Key Term: Address Format**
  > The set sequence and appearance of address details and place names required for full marks in IELTS.

## Abbreviations in IELTS

Only use standard abbreviations that appear in the recording or test paper, such as:

- St, Rd, Ave (for addresses) as spoken
- No abbreviation for days/months (do not write “Sept” or “Wed” unless it is in the recording/question)

### **Worked Example 1.1**

Suppose you hear in a Listening section:

> "Her address is Apartment twelve B, sixteen Nelson Road, York, Y O one 6 R F."
> **Question:** How should this address be written for IELTS?
> **Answer:** Apartment 12B, 16 Nelson Road, York, YO1 6RF  
> Always capitalise Apartment, numbers, all street/road name parts, city, and postcode.

### **Worked Example 1.2**

You are asked for the phone number "zero double seven double three eight six five one five six."
**Question:** What is the correct way to write this answer?

> **Answer:** 07733865156  
> Each digit is written; double means “33” or “88,” etc. If instructions state “digits only,” add no spaces.

### **Worked Example 1.3**

A Listening answer requires a price for "four pounds seventy-five." The audio says:

> "Tickets cost four pounds seventy-five."  
> **What is the correct format?**
> **Answer:** £4.75  
> Always use the currency symbol before the number, and a full stop for the decimal.

### **Exam Warning**

> Many marks are lost when candidates write days, months, or names with spelling or capital errors, or abbreviate address elements in an unacceptable way. Always check for these errors before writing your final answer.

### **Revision Tip**

> Practise writing typical addresses, dates, and telephone numbers as quickly and clearly as possible, checking for correct spelling, capitals, and the required format. Review IELTS answer sheets or sample tasks to see exactly how to lay out your answers.

## **Summary**

Using correct spelling, required capitalisation, and standard formats for dates, addresses, and numbers is essential in IELTS. Examiners do not award marks for answers with spelling, capital, or format mistakes, even if the information is correct. Always follow the conventions as modelled in British English, and check the instructions for number/word preferences.

## **Key Point Checklist**

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- Explain accepted spelling and capitalisation for days, months, street types, and places.
- Use the correct formats for British dates and addresses in IELTS, and recognise allowed alternatives.
- Enter phone and other number strings using “double” and “oh” conventions, always writing digits as required.
- Record prices, years, and ages with the correct symbols, punctuation, and format.
- Avoid extra punctuation, invented abbreviations, or wrong case that will void your answer.
- Understand that incorrect spelling, missing capitals, or format errors lose marks in IELTS, regardless of content.

## **Key Terms and Concepts**

- Spelling Convention
- Date Format
- Address Format
- Numerical Format
- Ordinal Number
- Number String
- Price Convention

Spelling, numbers, and conventions - Dates, addresses, and numbers