IELTS Writing for Russian 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
- Russian 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 Russian 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 Russian speakers: Russian has no articles, and its flexible word order and long sentences carry into English.
Long, complex sentences with many clauses can reduce clarity.
A strength to build on: A strong grammar foundation and an analytical writing tradition help with logical structure.
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 Russian 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. Long, complex sentences with many clauses can reduce clarity.
How long does it take Russian speakers to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Most learners need about one week. Focus on article and collocation drills in short daily blocks.
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 Russian speakers?
Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Focus on article and collocation drills in short daily blocks.
How can Russian 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 Russian speakers know about their IELTS Writing target?
Russian-speaking candidates often have strong grammar knowledge and need targeted work on articles and natural word choice.
Should Russian 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. A strong grammar foundation and an analytical writing tradition help with logical structure.
Can an AI checker help Russian 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 Russian speakers: overview
- Russian speakers: mistakes with a, an and the
- Russian speakers: examples that are too general to prove the point
- Russian speakers: switching tenses without a reason
- Russian speakers: unnatural word combinations
- Russian speakers: run-on sentences and comma splices
- Russian speakers: overused linking words such as 'however' and 'moreover'
- Japanese speakers: an introduction that copies the question
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- Self-study learners: an introduction that copies the question
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