Using Brackets in The IELTS Listening Answers is not right because brackets are used to provide optional answers ( more than one answer), and You must choose ONE ANSWER ONLY. Read the information below to understand more.
What are brackets?
Here is an example of some answers using brackets:
- charity (work)
- detail(s)
- (a) reception (room)
Brackets are used to provide optional answers ( more than one answer).
Why are brackets used in IELTS Listening test books?
The brackets are used in the answer keys of books to show different possible answers for one question. It is a quick easy way to show multiple answers. For example:
- charity (work)
- charity or charity work (both answers are correct)
- detail(s)
- detail or details (both answers are correct)
- (a) reception (room)
- reception or a reception or reception room or a reception room (all 4 answers are correct)
Even though the answer key in books show different possible answers, you cannot do that in your test.
Can you use brackets in your IELTS test?
No, not for IELTS listening or IELTS reading. However, if you are taking Academic writing, you can use brackets in your writing task 1 to present data. See the writing section of this website for examples of this.
Final Note
You must choose ONE ANSWER ONLY. You can’t give two possible options for your answer. If you think the answer is “detail”, then you must write it like that. You must decide if the answer is plural or singular. If the answer is plural, your answer will be marked wrong. So, take your time deciding if you need to give a plural answer or not. Or if you need to use an article (a/the) or not.