How to write and paraphrase an IELTS task 2 introduction. Includes exercises.
On this page, we will start by looking at how to paraphrase an IELTS task 2 introduction. Many students often lose marks by paraphrasing inappropriately, over paraphrasing, or being unaware of the strength paraphrasing can have on your essay.
What is paraphrasing and how can we use it well in an IELTS essay?
Paraphrasing is when we restate someone else’s ideas (text or speech) using our own words, while keeping the same meaning. It is important to paraphrase in IELTS writing because we want to try to avoid repeating exactly the same words and word order within the question.
We can paraphrase in our IELTS essays by:
✅ Changing the word order
✅ Using synonyms
✅ Changing the word form
Let’s have a look at a task 2 writing question and look at the different options we have to paraphrase in introductions using the methods above.
In many countries, schools have major problems with student behaviour.
What do you think the causes of this are?
What solutions would you suggest?
✅Changing the word order example
Paraphrased = The behaviour of students is a major problem for schools in many countries.
In this example, we have kept exactly the same words, but we have simply changed the word order. This is an effective use of paraphrasing especially if you cannot think of any accurate synonyms or different word forms.
✅ An example using accurate synonyms
Paraphrased = In a number of nations, schools have significant difficulties with student behaviour.
In this example we have kept a similar structure to the question, but we have paraphrased accurately using the synonyms below:
A number of = Many
Nations = Countries
Significant = Major
Difficulties = Problems
✅ Changing the word form example
In many countries, student behaviour can be problematic for schools.
In this example we have changed the word form ‘problem’ (noun) to ‘problematic’ (adjective).
All of these examples show how we can effectivily paraphrase a background statement for the IELTS writing task 2. Of course you can combine these techniques:
Paraphrased = The behaviour of students is often challenging for a number of schools around the world.
The simplist solution is often to change the word order, and then if you feel confident try to use synonyms only if you feel are are accurate. Students we teach often think they need to paraphrase every word, which leads to many mistakes and a reduction in score.
Here is an example of inaccurate paraphrasing:
In many republics, educational institutions have crucial drawbacks with scholar’s manners.
Of course, this example is exagerrated. However, it illustrates the inaccuarate use of synonyms we commonly see.
Let’s analyse why.
Republics/Countries = Some countries are republics such as ‘The People’s Republic of China’, or ‘The Republic of Ireland’. However, not all countries are republics.
Educational institutions/Schools = ‘An educational institution’ This a very open and broad term which would include universities and colleges. Sometimes we do use the word ‘school’ with universities like ‘The London School of Economics’. However, the word school used alone, nearly always refers to children and not adults.
Crucial/Major = The word ‘major’ shows the degree of something with its opposite being ‘minor’. However, ‘crucial’ has a different meaning and is very similar to the word ‘important’.
Drawbacks/Problems = The word ‘drawback’ is similar to the word ‘disadvantage’, and therefore is not an accuate synonym for the word ‘problem.
Scholars/Students = ‘Scholars’ are specialists within a field of study whereas ‘students’ is a wide term which can include children.
Manners/Behaviour = ‘Manners’ relates to how someone’s behaviour is acted out and this is usually in social situations:
‘He has bad table manners’
Behaviour is the general action of an individual.
‘He has a very irresponsible behaviour towards investing’
Paraphrasing Exercises for IELTS Writing
Have a look at these background statements which are taken from task 2 questions:
Exercise 1.1
There are lots of different styles of music in the world today.
How could you finish the sentence below to get the same meaning?
The world today______________________
The world today has lots of different styles of music.
Exercise 1.2
The world today has ____________ different styles of music.
Which two quantifiers below could replace ‘lots of’?
✅ a large number of ✅ many
Quantifiers are quite easy to paraphrase. Please try our exercises on quantifiers in the main menu to become familiar with different options.
Exercise 1.3
The world today has a large number of __________ styles of music.
Which word could replace ‘ different’?
✅ diverse
‘Diverse’ could be used. However, be aware that it is not an exact synonym for ‘different’
These two colours are ‘different’ 🔵 🟡 . They are not ‘diverse’.
This picture has a lot of diverse colour:
We use diverse when there is a lot of variety.
• “She likes diverse music”
• “Italy has a lot of diverse food”
Unless you are 100% certain that the synonym is correct and suitable, do not use them, otherwise it you will lose marks.
Exercise 1.4
There isn’t an exact synonym for the word ‘music’, but how could we change these words?
‘styles of music’
Try to change the form of the word ‘music’ into an adjective. Then, how could you say ‘styles of music’ differently?
There are lots of different styles of music in the world today.
✅ ‘musical styles’
These are just a few other options. There are plenty more variations.
