IELTS Reading Mastery

Master the "Three Words and/or Number" Question Technique

📚 What are "Three Words and/or Number" Questions?

Definition: A specific IELTS Reading question type where you must complete gaps using no more than three words and/or a number directly from the passage.

🎯 Key Characteristics:

  • Word Limit: Maximum 3 words PLUS a number (if needed)
  • Exact Match: Must use words exactly as they appear in the passage
  • Grammar: Answer must fit grammatically in the sentence
  • No Paraphrasing: Cannot change or substitute words

⚠️ Important Counting Rules:

  • Numbers (1.5, 86, 100%) = 1 word each
  • Hyphenated words (well-known) = 1 word
  • Articles (a, an, the) = 1 word each
  • Contractions (don't, can't) = 1 word each

Example Question Format:

"The research facility completed its project in 18 months using advanced technology."

Question: The project was completed in _______________.

Answer: 18 months (1 number + 1 word)

🎯 Why Master This Technique?

Understanding this question type is crucial for IELTS Reading success because it tests your ability to locate and extract specific information accurately.

💡 Strategic Benefits:

1. High Scoring Potential

These questions often appear 3-5 times per test, representing 15-25% of Reading marks. Mastering them significantly boosts your score.

2. Skills Development

This technique improves your:

  • Scanning skills - Quick location of specific information
  • Attention to detail - Exact word matching and grammar
  • Time management - Efficient answer extraction

3. Transferable Skills

The precision required helps with:

  • Other IELTS question types (sentence completion, form filling)
  • Academic reading and research
  • Professional documentation skills

🚨 Common Consequences of Poor Technique:

  • Lost marks due to word limit violations
  • Time wasted re-reading passages
  • Incorrect answers from paraphrasing
  • Grammar mistakes in sentence completion

🔧 How to Apply the Technique

Follow this systematic approach to master "Three Words and/or Number" questions efficiently and accurately.

1Read the Instructions Carefully

Action: Identify the exact word limit and requirements

Look for: "NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER"

2Analyze the Question Sentence

Action: Understand what type of information is needed

  • Identify keywords before and after the gap
  • Predict what grammatical form is needed (noun, adjective, number)
  • Consider the context and meaning

3Locate the Information in the Passage

Action: Use keywords to scan for the relevant section

  • Look for synonyms and paraphrases of question keywords
  • Check the area around located keywords
  • Information usually appears in order

4Extract and Verify the Answer

Action: Copy exact words and check requirements

  • Count words carefully (including articles and numbers)
  • Check grammar fits in the sentence
  • Ensure spelling is exactly as in passage
  • Verify meaning makes sense

📝 Application Example:

"The marine research team discovered that dolphins communicate using signature whistles, which function like unique names for individual identification within their social groups."

Question: Dolphins use _____________ for identification purposes.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Analyze: Need something dolphins use for identification
  2. Keywords: "dolphins," "identification"
  3. Locate: Find "signature whistles" in passage
  4. Verify: "signature whistles" = 2 words ✓, grammar fits ✓
  5. Answer: signature whistles

🎯 Apply Your Technique

Test your understanding of the "Three Words and/or Number" technique!

Question 1:

"The ancient library contained over 400,000 scrolls and manuscripts, making it the largest collection of written works in the Mediterranean region during the 3rd century BCE."

Complete: The library housed more than _____________ written documents.

A) 400,000 scrolls
B) four hundred thousand scrolls
C) over 400,000 scrolls and manuscripts

Question 2:

"Scientists have discovered that honey bees perform a waggle dance to communicate the location of food sources to other members of their hive."

Complete: Bees communicate through _____________ to share information about food.

A) a dance
B) a waggle dance
C) the waggle dance movement

Question 3:

"The solar panel installation project was completed in 6 months, reducing the building's energy costs by approximately 40 percent annually."

Complete: The project reduced energy costs by about _____________ each year.

A) 40%
B) 40 percent
C) approximately 40 percent annually