IELTS Writing for Candidates aiming for Band 7: How to Fix A conclusion that only repeats the introduction
Write a two or three sentence conclusion that restates your position in new words and summarises the two reasons. Do not introduce a new argument, and do not copy the introduction word for word.
At a glance
- For
- Candidates aiming for Band 7
- Problem
- A conclusion that only repeats the introduction
- Scoring criterion
- Task Response (Task 2)
- Task affected
- Task 2 (essay)
- IELTS test
- Academic or General Training (check your requirement)
- Typical effort
- a few days
- First step
- Begin with a signal such as 'In conclusion' or 'Overall'.
Why this happens to candidates aiming for Band 7
With time running out, candidates paste the introduction again or add a late idea. The first looks lazy and the second breaks the logic that the body paragraphs built.
Why this affects candidates aiming for Band 7: preparation covers many topics but few criteria in depth.
Develop two ideas fully instead of listing four.
A strength to build on: A clear target allows a criterion-based plan from the start.
Fix it in four steps
- Begin with a signal such as 'In conclusion' or 'Overall'.
- Restate the position using different vocabulary from the introduction.
- Summarise the two reasons in a single balanced sentence.
- Stop. A conclusion of 30 to 45 words is enough.
Before and after
Before
In conclusion, this is a very complex problem and there are many things to think about.
After
Overall, I remain convinced that free public transport would cut congestion, provided cities fund it through road charges.
Ten-minute drill: Take three of your past introductions and write a conclusion for each in under 2 minutes without copying a phrase from them.
Questions and answers
What is the fastest way for candidates aiming for Band 7 to fix a conclusion that only repeats the introduction?
Write a two or three sentence conclusion that restates your position in new words and summarises the two reasons. Do not introduce a new argument, and do not copy the introduction word for word. Develop two ideas fully instead of listing four.
How long does it take candidates aiming for Band 7 to fix a conclusion that only repeats the introduction?
Most learners need a few days. Plan six to ten weeks if your current band is 6, and use weekly feedback cycles.
Is a conclusion required?
Yes. The band descriptors expect a clear conclusion that follows from the argument, and an essay without one can feel incomplete.
Can I add a recommendation in the conclusion?
A brief recommendation is fine if it follows directly from your position. A brand-new argument is not.
What does a good practice drill look like for candidates aiming for Band 7?
Take three of your past introductions and write a conclusion for each in under 2 minutes without copying a phrase from them. Plan six to ten weeks if your current band is 6, and use weekly feedback cycles.
How can candidates aiming for Band 7 tell they have fixed a conclusion that only repeats the introduction?
The conclusion shares meaning with the introduction but almost no exact phrases, and adds no new idea.
What should candidates aiming for Band 7 know about their IELTS Writing target?
A Band 7 Writing score needs a clear position, well-developed ideas, logical progression and mostly error-free sentences.
Should candidates aiming for Band 7 practise this on Task 1, Task 2 or both?
This is a Task 2 issue, so practise it on full essays. Task 2 carries about twice the weight of Task 1 in the Writing band, so progress here moves the score most. A clear target allows a criterion-based plan from the start.
Can an AI checker help candidates aiming for Band 7 with a conclusion that only repeats the introduction?
An AI checker can show where this pattern appears in your own essay and which criterion it affects, which makes the fix concrete. It gives a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score, so use it to choose the next revision, rewrite, and check again. The first check on this site is free.
Check your own essay
See where a conclusion that only repeats the introduction appears in your own writing and which criterion it affects, then rewrite the weakest paragraph.
Feedback is a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score. Last reviewed 2026-11-11. Score requirements change, so confirm them with the organisation that will read your result.
Related guides
- IELTS Writing for candidates aiming for Band 7: overview
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: the gap between Band 6 and Band 7 in Writing
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: ideas that are listed but not developed
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: body paragraphs with no clear topic sentence
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: having no time or method to proofread
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: unnatural word combinations
- Candidates aiming for Band 7: an unclear position in Task 2
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