Paraphrasing IELTS Writing Task 2 questions can be tricky for many students due to the stress of the situation and limited time. If you practice and have methods you can use, it makes it much easier in the test. Here are four points you should always remember.
Take Note
It is important to keep the meaning as close to the original as possible
If that is done, then the reader can read the essay without knowing what the question is. In other words, the essay can stand alone.
It is not necessary to change every word
If you change the form of the main words, then it preserves their meaning more accurately.
5 Paraphrasing Methods
Here are some ways to help you paraphrase quickly.
1 – Change the word order – sentence order and structure
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. | Some think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. Other people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. |
2 – Change the Form
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| give access to knowledge | make all knowledge accessible |
| Original | Paraphrase |
| born with certain talents | An inborn talent |
3 – Synonyms
(Preferably word to phrase, because word to word often leads to a slightly different meaning)
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Many museums charge for admission while others are free. | Numerous museums require visitors to pay an admission fee, while others do not. |
4 – Change from active to passive
(Do not say – it is believed that….)
For example:
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this. | It is a contentious issue whether teaching children how to socialise should be left to their parents at home or their teachers in school. |
5 – Change positive to negative
For example –
| Original | Paraphrase |
| Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement. | Some say that not recycling household waste should become illegal to encourage people to recycle more. |
Examples
In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.
There is a decrease in health and fitness levels of various countries along with an increase in average weight.
People in various countries have declining health and fitness levels as well as an increase in their weight on average.
Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.
Some say that not recycling household waste should become illegal to encourage people to recycle more.
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.
Some believe that universities should make all subject knowledge accessible to any student who is interested, while others think that they should only learn what is needed for their future employment.
It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.
A common belief is that some people have an inborn talent for sports, music or other fields, while others declare that children can be taught to become proficient at such skills.
Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.
While some hold the opinion that information regarding science, business and academia is too precious or sensitive to share with anyone, others feel that it should be shared as much as possible.
It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.
Some believe that to help children to be able to distinguish between right and wrong, punishments are necessary.
Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.
Rail transport rather than road transport should benefit from state funding.
Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment.
While some advocate that extenuating circumstances should be considered when punishing a crime, others believe each kind of crime should have fixed sentences.
Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.
It is a contentious issue whether an increase in the number of sports amenities only would positively affect public health, or if other additional steps would also be needed.
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.
These days, some countries’ population demographic is skewed towards younger people.
Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
The issues of rising traffic and pollution can only be addressed by an increase in the price of fuel.
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.
It is a contentious issue whether teaching children how to socialise should be left to their parents at home or their teachers in school.
Many museums charge for admission while others are free.
Numerous museums require visitors to pay an admission fee, while others do not.
I hope that gives you some good ideas for paraphrasing in IELTS Writing Task 2. remember, keep on practicing and you will only get better.