IELTS Writing for Candidates stuck at Band 6.5: 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: Candidates stuck at Band 6.5
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 candidates stuck at Band 6.5

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 candidates stuck at Band 6.5: practice is broad when it should target the single weakest criterion.

Cohesion is good but topic sentences are inconsistent.

A strength to build on: Most criteria are already close to Band 7, so one fix can lift the result.

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 candidates stuck at Band 6.5 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. Cohesion is good but topic sentences are inconsistent.

How long does it take candidates stuck at Band 6.5 to fix an introduction that copies the question?

Most learners need about one week. Two to four weeks of targeted practice on the lowest criterion is a realistic window.

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 candidates stuck at Band 6.5?

Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Two to four weeks of targeted practice on the lowest criterion is a realistic window.

How can candidates stuck at Band 6.5 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 candidates stuck at Band 6.5 know about their IELTS Writing target?

At Band 6.5, one criterion is usually holding the score back. Finding it matters more than more general practice.

Should candidates stuck at Band 6.5 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. Most criteria are already close to Band 7, so one fix can lift the result.

Can an AI checker help candidates stuck at Band 6.5 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.