IELTS Writing for Chinese speakers: How to Fix An introduction that copies the question
Write a two-sentence introduction: paraphrase the question in your own words, then state your position. Copying the question wastes words and adds nothing the examiner has not already read.
At a glance
- For
- Chinese speakers
- Problem
- An introduction that copies the question
- Scoring criterion
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Task affected
- Task 2 (essay)
- IELTS test
- Academic or General Training (check your requirement)
- Typical effort
- about one week
- First step
- Replace two or three key words in the question with accurate synonyms.
Why this happens to Chinese speakers
Paraphrasing is difficult under pressure, so candidates copy the question or add vague opening lines. This delays the position and weakens the opening of the essay.
Why this affects Chinese speakers: Chinese has no articles and no verb tense endings, and sentences are often joined by commas, so these patterns carry into English writing.
Heavy use of memorised linkers is common.
A strength to build on: Strong exam discipline and wide study vocabulary help with practice routines.
Fix it in four steps
- Replace two or three key words in the question with accurate synonyms.
- Change the sentence structure if you can, for example from a statement to 'It is sometimes argued that…'.
- Add one sentence with your position or what the essay will do.
- Skip generic openings such as 'In modern society…'.
Before and after
Before
Some people think that children should start school at a later age. Do you agree or disagree?
After
It is sometimes argued that formal education should begin later in childhood. I largely agree with this view.
Ten-minute drill: Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words.
Questions and answers
What is the fastest way for Chinese speakers to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Write a two-sentence introduction: paraphrase the question in your own words, then state your position. Copying the question wastes words and adds nothing the examiner has not already read. Heavy use of memorised linkers is common.
How long does it take Chinese speakers to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Most learners need about one week. Consistent short daily practice with feedback works better than long, infrequent sessions.
Should I give background in the introduction?
Only one short sentence if it is genuinely useful. Most of the introduction should be the paraphrase and your position.
How long should the introduction be?
Two sentences, around 35 to 50 words, are enough for Task 2.
What does a good practice drill look like for Chinese speakers?
Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Consistent short daily practice with feedback works better than long, infrequent sessions.
How can Chinese speakers tell they have fixed an introduction that copies the question?
Your introduction shares only unavoidable key words with the question and states the position clearly.
What should Chinese speakers know about their IELTS Writing target?
Chinese-speaking candidates often have strong reading and vocabulary knowledge and need targeted work on English-specific grammar and organisation.
Should Chinese speakers 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. Strong exam discipline and wide study vocabulary help with practice routines.
Can an AI checker help Chinese speakers with an introduction that copies the question?
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 an introduction that copies the question 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 Chinese speakers: overview
- Chinese speakers: mistakes with a, an and the
- Chinese speakers: switching tenses without a reason
- Chinese speakers: run-on sentences and comma splices
- Chinese speakers: unnatural word combinations
- Chinese speakers: memorised paragraphs that do not match the question
- Chinese speakers: overused linking words such as 'however' and 'moreover'
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