How to Paraphrase

in IELTS
May Willyana
 4 Ways to Paraphrase

1. 3.
Using synonyms Changing words form

2. 4.
Not changing all words Changing sentence structure
 1. Using Synonyms
Using different words with a similar meaning shows the examiner a range of vocabulary
which you need to get over band score. However , synonyms do not have exactly the
same meaning and cannot always be used at the same time!

Example:
The reasons for increasing levels of pollution are the development of the industry and air
travel.

Paraphrased:
The causes of rising levels of pollution are the growth and expansion of industry as well as
the number of people travelling by air.
 2. Not all words need changing
You need to decide which words to paraphrase and which words to keep the same. Be
selective!

If you try to paraphrase too much, you might:

● Make mistakes which will lower your score
● Change the meaning which might result in you going off the topic

Example: Many people, when driving their cars, go over the speed limit in city centers.

Paraphrased: ???

Options:
● Riding
● Town
● Urban
● Exceed
 2. Not all words need changing
You need to decide which words to paraphrase and which words to keep the same. Be
selective!

If you try to paraphrase too much, you might:

● Make mistakes which will lower your score
● Change the meaning which might result in you going off the topic

Example: Many people, when driving their cars, go over the speed limit in city centers.

Paraphrased: Many people, when driving their cars, exceed the speed limit in urban
centers.

Options:
● Riding (for bicycles)
● Town (usually small in size)
● Urban
● Exceed
 3. Changing the word form
Changing the word form means that we use the same words as IELTS questions, but we
change the form.

Example:
Many people are unhealthy because they fail to eat well and exercise.

Paraphrased:
Many people have poor health because they are failing to eat well and are not exercising
enough.

Unhealthy (adjective) - Poor health (noun)

Fail (verb) - Are failing (verb, but different tenses)
Exercise (verb) - Exercising (verb, but different tenses)
 4. Changing sentence structure
Changing sentence structure means changing the structure of the sentence.

Example:
Many people are unhealthy because they fail to eat well and exercise.

Paraphrased:
Many people fail to eat well and exercise and, for that reason, they are unhealthy.

Better paraphrased:
Failing to eat well and not exercising are the reasons that many people have poor health.
 Paraphrasing and Band Score
Band score 5
● Minimum range of vocabulary
● Frequent errors which cause problems with
meaning

Band score 6
● Adequate range of vocabulary
● Some errors but the meaning is clear

Band score 7
● Sufficient range of vocabulary
● Few errors

Band score 8
● Wide range of vocabulary
● Most sentences are error free
 Practice
Some people think that planning for future is a waste of time. They believe it is more important to focus
on the present . To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Large companies use sport events to promote their products. Some people think this has a negative
impact on sports. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people
think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both these views and
give your own idea.

Nowadays in some countries children are given fewer responsibilities compared to the past. Some people
believe it is a positive development while other argue otherwise. Discuss both views and give your own
idea.

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?
Thank You