IELTS Writing for Teachers: 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
- Teachers
- 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 teachers
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 teachers: classroom explanations are simple and repeated for clarity, which can read as repetitive in a written argument.
Habitual repetition for emphasis shows up as repeated linkers and re-stated ideas.
A strength to build on: Experience of explaining ideas step by step supports clear paragraph logic.
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 teachers 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. Habitual repetition for emphasis shows up as repeated linkers and re-stated ideas.
How long does it take teachers to fix an introduction that copies the question?
Most learners need about one week. Marking and planning fill evenings, so one focused weekly timed essay plus daily micro-drills works best.
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 teachers?
Paraphrase five questions in 90 seconds each and compare each with the original for matching words. Marking and planning fill evenings, so one focused weekly timed essay plus daily micro-drills works best.
How can teachers 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 teachers know about their IELTS Writing target?
Teacher registration and overseas teaching routes usually set a minimum IELTS score. Check the specific board or employer, because the test type and score vary.
Should teachers 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 explaining ideas step by step supports clear paragraph logic.
Can an AI checker help teachers 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 teachers: overview
- Teachers: an unclear position in Task 2
- Teachers: overused linking words such as 'however' and 'moreover'
- Teachers: sentences that all have the same simple structure
- Teachers: repeating the same words from the question
- Teachers: a conclusion that only repeats the introduction
- Teachers: weak paragraphing and essay structure
- 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
- Software developers: an introduction that copies the question
- High school students: an introduction that copies the question
- Working parents: an introduction that copies the question