Paraphrasing the Prompt
Lexical and syntactic transformation · avoiding copying
Topic & Why It Matters
Paraphrasing is the first signal of control in IELTS Writing. In Task 1, it shows that you can introduce a visual without copying the question. In Task 2, it shows that you understand the topic before giving your position.
Candidates lose marks when they copy the prompt, use unnatural synonyms, or accidentally change the meaning. A strong paraphrase is simple, accurate, and connected to the thesis or overview that follows.
Knowledge Points
Structure Template
Use this four-move sequence before writing the first sentence. It takes about two minutes and prevents both copying and meaning drift.
| Move | Target | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Move 1 - Identify fixed terms | 20 seconds | Underline terms that should not be changed because they are precise: 'public transport', 'new roads', 'rural areas', 'university education'. Keep them or expand them carefully. |
| Move 2 - Replace high-value language | 40 seconds | Change general verbs and nouns: 'spend money' -> 'allocate funding'; 'people' -> 'individuals'; 'problems' -> 'issues'. Avoid rare synonyms you would not normally use. |
| Move 3 - Change the grammar | 40 seconds | Shift the sentence pattern: active to passive, noun phrase to verb phrase, or clause order. This creates a real paraphrase even when key terms stay the same. |
| Move 4 - Add the answer | 30 seconds | For Task 2, attach a thesis. For Task 1, attach the measured variables and time frame. The examiner should see both paraphrase and task control in the opening paragraph. |
Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit
| Prompt Language | Safer Paraphrase / Usage Note |
|---|---|
| Some people believe that... | It is often argued that... / Many argue that... |
| governments should spend money on... | public authorities should allocate funding to... |
| more money | a larger share of public spending / increased investment |
| instead of | rather than / as an alternative to |
| building new roads | further road construction / new road projects |
| public transport | buses, trains, and metro systems; keep the term if it is the category |
| people | individuals / citizens / residents; choose by context |
| children | young people / pupils / minors; do not use 'kids' in formal essays |
| old people | older adults / elderly residents |
| good | beneficial / valuable / effective; match the exact meaning |
| bad | harmful / damaging / counterproductive |
| important | significant / essential / central |
| problem | issue / challenge / difficulty |
| cause | lead to / contribute to / give rise to |
| because | since / as / given that; use only when the logic is clear |
| more and more | an increasing number of / increasingly |
| many countries | in many parts of the world / across a range of countries |
| To what extent do you agree? | I largely / partly / strongly agree that... |
| Discuss both views | While some argue..., others believe...; your opinion still needs to be visible |
| advantages and disadvantages | benefits and drawbacks / positive and negative effects |
| the chart shows | the chart illustrates / compares / provides information about |
| the number of | the figure for / the total number of; do not change count to percentage |
Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Using strange synonyms | Do not replace 'children' with 'offspring' or 'old people' with 'senescents'. Natural academic language scores better than dictionary language. |
| Changing the scope | If the prompt says 'some people', do not write 'most people'. If it says 'more funding', do not write 'all funding'. Scope changes create Task Response problems. |
| Paraphrasing fixed terms badly | Keep precise terms such as 'public transport' or expand them as 'buses, trains, and metro systems'. Do not write vague substitutes such as 'movement services'. |
| Copying the whole first sentence | Keep unavoidable key terms, but change the frame around them: 'Some people believe governments should...' -> 'Many argue that public funds should be directed toward...'. |
| Writing only a paraphrase in the introduction | Task 2 introductions also need a thesis. Task 1 introductions need the visual type, variables, units, and time frame where relevant. |
Practice Prompt
Set a 40-minute timer. Spend two minutes paraphrasing the topic accurately before writing the full essay.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people believe that governments should spend more money on public transport instead of building new roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
| Prompt Phrase | Model Rewrite | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Some people believe that... | Many argue that... | Changes the reporting frame without changing the level of certainty. |
| governments should spend more money on... | public funds should be directed primarily toward... | Upgrades 'spend money' and keeps the policy focus. |
| public transport | buses, trains, and metro systems | Expands the category with concrete examples instead of forcing an unnatural synonym. |
| instead of building new roads | rather than further road construction | Keeps the contrast and changes the noun phrase. |
Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 255 words
Many argue that public funds should be directed primarily toward buses, trains, and metro systems rather than further road construction. I largely agree with this view because mass transit reduces congestion and pollution more effectively, although some road upgrades remain necessary in areas that lack basic connectivity.
First, investment in public transport can move far more people with less space and energy. A reliable metro line or bus network gives commuters an alternative to private cars, which means fewer vehicles competing for road space during peak hours. This is especially important in dense cities, where adding lanes often attracts more drivers and quickly recreates the same traffic problem. By contrast, frequent and affordable public transport can change daily habits, making travel cheaper for low-income residents while cutting emissions for the whole city.
However, the argument should not be pushed to an extreme. Rural districts, industrial zones, and emergency services still depend on safe roads, and poorly maintained routes can isolate communities from schools, hospitals, and markets. The better policy is therefore not to stop building roads altogether, but to make new road projects selective. Governments should prioritise repairs, safety improvements, and links for underserved areas, while directing most new urban transport funding toward rail, bus lanes, and cycling infrastructure.
In conclusion, I agree that public transport deserves a larger share of government spending because it tackles congestion, cost, and environmental damage at scale. Road construction still has a role, but it should be targeted rather than treated as the default solution to every transport problem.
Annotated Commentary
Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice how the introduction paraphrases the prompt and immediately turns it into a clear thesis.
Self-Check
Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.
- What is the difference between changing meaning and changing wording?
- Which prompt words should usually be kept or expanded rather than replaced?
- Rewrite this prompt opening: 'Some people think governments should spend more money on public parks.'