IELTS Writing for Master's applicants: 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: Master's applicants
Problem: An introduction that copies the question
Scoring criterion: Coherence and Cohesion
Task affected: Task 2 (essay)
IELTS test: Academic
Typical effort: about one week
First step: Replace two or three key words in the question with accurate synonyms.

Why this happens to master's applicants

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 master's applicants: academic reading is strong, but formal writing in a second language is often slower than expected.

Long, dense paragraphs hide the central idea.

A strength to build on: Experience of reading and summarising sources helps with Task 1 and with structuring arguments.

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 master's applicants 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. Long, dense paragraphs hide the central idea.

How long does it take master's applicants to fix an introduction that copies the question?

Most learners need about one week. Offer deadlines fix the date, so work backwards from the test date and book practice feedback early.

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 master's applicants?

Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Offer deadlines fix the date, so work backwards from the test date and book practice feedback early.

How can master's applicants 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 master's applicants know about their IELTS Writing target?

Postgraduate programmes set a minimum overall IELTS score and often a higher minimum for Writing. Confirm the exact condition on your offer.

Should master's applicants 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. Experience of reading and summarising sources helps with Task 1 and with structuring arguments.

Can an AI checker help master's applicants 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.

Run a free first check

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.