IELTS Writing for Korean 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
- Korean 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 Korean 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 Korean speakers: Korean has no articles, often omits the subject, and places the verb last, which carries into English.
Heavy use of memorised connectors is common.
A strength to build on: Strong study discipline and test experience help with timed practice.
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
How can Korean speakers 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 connectors is common.
How long does it take Korean speakers to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Most learners need about one week. A short daily routine focused on articles and subjects gives steady gains.
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 Korean speakers?
Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. A short daily routine focused on articles and subjects gives steady gains.
How can Korean 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 Korean speakers know about their IELTS Writing target?
Korean-speaking candidates often need targeted work on articles, plurals and subject use that Korean marks differently.
Should Korean 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 study discipline and test experience help with timed practice.
Can an AI checker help Korean 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 Korean speakers: overview
- Korean speakers: mistakes with a, an and the
- Korean speakers: examples that are too general to prove the point
- Korean speakers: overused linking words such as 'however' and 'moreover'
- Korean speakers: unnatural word combinations
- Korean speakers: subject-verb agreement mistakes
- Korean speakers: weak paragraphing and essay structure
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