Can I use British or American English spellings in the IELTS exam?
IELTS.WORK IELTS FAQ # 1711348199
Yes, you can use both British and American English spellings in the IELTS exam, but it's important to remain consistent with your choice throughout the test.
Here are some general guidelines for British and American English spellings:
1. In British English, "ize" verbs (such as realise, organise) are usually spelled with a "s" at the end, while in American English they are spelled with an "ize" suffix (realize, organize). However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
2. Some words have different spellings depending on whether you're using British or American English. For example, "colour" is spelled with a "u" in British English (colourful), but not in American English (colorful). Similarly, "grey" is spelled with an "e" in British English (grey squirrel), but without it in American English (gray squirrel).
3. Some words are spelled differently between the two forms of English. For example, "favorite" is spelled with an "-orize" suffix in American English, while in British English it is spelled with an "-ourise" suffix ("colour").
4. In American English, compound words are often hyphenated (e.g., mother-daughter relationship), while in British English they may or may not be hyphenated, depending on the specific situation. However, this rule isn't always consistent and can vary based on context and style preferences.
5. There are many other spelling differences between British and American English that you should familiarize yourself with before taking the IELTS exam, such as "centre" vs. "center," "labour" vs. "labor," "favourite" vs. "favorite," and so on.
In summary, it's essential to understand and follow the spelling rules of either British or American English consistently in your writing for the IELTS exam. However, keep in mind that consistency is key, and whichever form you choose to use, ensure that you stick with it throughout your test to avoid any potential deductions in marking.
Source:
https://ielts.work/?id=1711348199&page=ielts-faq
For more:
https://ielts.work/?page=ielts-faq