IELTS Writing for New Zealand migration 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
- New Zealand migration applicants
- 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 New Zealand migration 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 New Zealand migration applicants: preparation often begins late because of paperwork, which compresses Writing practice.
Paragraphs lack clear central topics.
A strength to build on: Clear immigration targets help structure a study plan by criterion.
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 New Zealand migration 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. Paragraphs lack clear central topics.
How long does it take New Zealand migration applicants to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Most learners need about one week. Paperwork deadlines compete with study, so a weekly essay with feedback is realistic.
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 New Zealand migration applicants?
Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Paperwork deadlines compete with study, so a weekly essay with feedback is realistic.
How can New Zealand migration 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 New Zealand migration applicants know about their IELTS Writing target?
New Zealand skilled migration and registration routes set English requirements, often through IELTS. Confirm the current requirement for your category.
Should New Zealand migration 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. Clear immigration targets help structure a study plan by criterion.
Can an AI checker help New Zealand migration 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.
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 New Zealand migration applicants: overview
- New Zealand migration applicants: ideas that are listed but not developed
- New Zealand migration applicants: body paragraphs with no clear topic sentence
- New Zealand migration applicants: repeating the same words from the question
- New Zealand migration applicants: switching tenses without a reason
- New Zealand migration applicants: running out of time in the Writing paper
- New Zealand migration applicants: overused linking words such as 'however' and 'moreover'
- PhD applicants: an introduction that copies the question
- Working parents: an introduction that copies the question
- Candidates stuck at Band 5.5: an introduction that copies the question
- Candidates with 7 days before the exam: an introduction that copies the question
- Russian speakers: an introduction that copies the question
- Japanese speakers: an introduction that copies the question