How to Write a Band 7 IELTS Introduction in 2 Minutes

Reading time: 13 minutes

Many students spend far too long agonising over their introduction. They believe it needs to be creative, impressive, or contain sophisticated vocabulary to grab the examiner's attention.

Here's the truth: examiners aren't looking for creative flair. They want clarity, relevance, and evidence that you understand the question. A simple, well-structured introduction written in 2 minutes will score just as well as one that took 10 minutes.

This guide gives you a reliable formula that works for every essay type—plus examples so you can see exactly what Band 7 introductions look like.

What Does an Introduction Need to Do?

Your introduction has two jobs:

1. Paraphrase the question to show you understand what's being asked
2. State what your essay will do (your thesis or essay outline)

That's it. Two sentences, two jobs, two minutes.

You don't need:

• A "hook" or attention-grabbing opener
• Background information about the topic
• A definition of key terms
• Your life story or personal connection to the topic

These elements waste precious time and often lead students off-topic.

The Two-Sentence Formula

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question
Sentence 2: State your position OR outline your essay structure

This formula adapts to any question type while keeping your introduction focused and efficient.

Paraphrasing: The Essential Skill

Paraphrasing means expressing the same idea using different words and sentence structures. It's crucial for IELTS because:

• It demonstrates vocabulary range
• It proves you've understood the question
• It avoids copying the question word-for-word (which wastes word count and looks unimpressive)

How to Paraphrase Effectively

1. Use synonyms

Original: "Young people are leaving rural areas to live in cities"
Paraphrased: "The youth are migrating from countryside regions to urban centres"

2. Change word forms

Original: "The increase in car ownership"
Paraphrased: "More people owning cars" or "Growing car ownership"

3. Change sentence structure

Original: "Many people think that children should start learning foreign languages in primary school"
Paraphrased: "There is a belief that foreign language education should begin at primary level"

4. Use different grammatical structures

Original: "Computers are being used more in education"
Paraphrased: "Educational institutions are increasingly relying on computers"

Paraphrasing Mistakes to Avoid

Don't change key topic words: Some words don't have good synonyms or shouldn't be changed.

• "IELTS" should stay as "IELTS"
• "Government" can stay as "government" (or use "authorities")
• "Internet" can stay as "internet" (or use "online/digital technology")

Don't use risky synonyms: If you're unsure a word means exactly the same thing, don't use it.

Risky: Changing "children" to "offspring" (too formal/unusual)
Safe: Changing "children" to "young people" or "the youth"

Introduction Examples by Essay Type

Opinion Essays (Agree/Disagree)

Question: "Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Introduction:
"There is ongoing debate about whether university students should have complete freedom in choosing their courses or be restricted to vocational subjects. This essay will discuss both perspectives before arguing that a balance between personal interest and practical value is most beneficial."

Why it works:

• Sentence 1 paraphrases both views from the question
• Sentence 2 outlines what the essay will do AND hints at the writer's position

Advantages/Disadvantages Essays

Question: "People today can work and live anywhere in the world. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?"

Introduction:
"Advances in technology and transportation now enable individuals to work remotely from virtually any location globally. Although this development has some drawbacks, this essay argues that the advantages are stronger due to improved work-life balance and expanded career opportunities."

Why it works:

• Sentence 1 paraphrases the situation
• Sentence 2 clearly states the writer's position (advantages outweigh) and previews the supporting reasons

Problem-Solution Essays

Question: "In many countries, young people are committing more crimes. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can be offered?"

Introduction:
"Youth crime rates have been rising in numerous nations, causing concern among governments and communities alike. This essay will examine the primary reasons behind this trend and propose practical measures to address it."

Why it works:

• Sentence 1 paraphrases the problem
• Sentence 2 clearly states the essay will cover BOTH parts (causes and solutions)

Discussion Essays

Question: "Some people think that the government should provide free healthcare for all citizens. Others believe that individuals should pay for their own medical treatment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Introduction:
"Healthcare funding remains a contentious issue, with some advocating for fully subsidised medical services while others support a private payment model. This essay will analyse both positions and argue that a hybrid system combining public and private healthcare offers the best solution."

Why it works:

• Sentence 1 paraphrases both viewpoints neutrally
• Sentence 2 outlines the discussion structure AND includes a clear opinion

Two-Part Questions

Question: "Many museums charge for admission while others are free. Do you think the advantages of charging outweigh the disadvantages? Why or why not?"

Introduction:
"While some museums operate on a paid admission model, others allow visitors free entry. This essay contends that charging admission fees is ultimately beneficial, as it enables museums to maintain their collections and offer higher-quality exhibitions."

Why it works:

• Sentence 1 acknowledges the situation from the question
• Sentence 2 states a clear position with brief reasoning

Common Introduction Mistakes

Mistake 1: Starting with "Nowadays" or "In today's modern world"

These phrases are:

• Overused (examiners see them constantly)
• Often unnecessary
• Sometimes inaccurate (not every topic is about modern times)

Instead: Start directly with your paraphrase.

Bad: "Nowadays, more and more people are using smartphones."
Good: "Smartphone usage has increased significantly in recent years."

Mistake 2: Copying the Question

Writing the question word-for-word wastes words and demonstrates no language skills.

Bad: "Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like."
Good: "There is debate about whether university students should have complete freedom in course selection."

Mistake 3: Being Vague About Your Position

Band 5-6 introductions often have unclear or wishy-washy thesis statements.

Bad: "This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give my opinion."
Good: "This essay argues that the advantages significantly outweigh the drawbacks due to the positive impact on education quality."

Mistake 4: Writing Too Much

Your introduction should be 40-60 words (2-3 sentences maximum). Anything longer takes time from your body paragraphs where you actually earn marks.

Mistake 5: Including Ideas You Won't Discuss

Everything in your introduction should appear in your body paragraphs. Don't mention ideas you'll never develop.

Bad: "This essay will discuss the environmental, economic, social, and political implications of this policy." (Too many topics to cover properly)
Good: "This essay will examine the environmental and economic effects of this policy." (Realistic scope)

The 2-Minute Process

Here's how to write your introduction quickly:

Minute 1: Paraphrase

• Read the question carefully
• Identify key topic words
• Write sentence 1 using synonyms and changed structure

Minute 2: Position/Outline

• Decide your position (if opinion required)
• Write sentence 2 stating what your essay will do
• Ensure it matches what you'll actually write

Then move on. Don't perfect it—you can make minor edits during your final check.

Quick Reference: Thesis Statement Templates

Use these as starting points, adapting the language to your specific question:

Opinion essays:

• "This essay agrees/disagrees that..."
• "In my view, [position] because [brief reason]."
• "This essay argues that [position] due to [brief reason]."

Discussion essays:

• "This essay will discuss both perspectives before arguing that..."
• "After examining both views, this essay will support the position that..."

Advantages/disadvantages:

• "Although this has some drawbacks, this essay argues that the advantages are more significant."
• "Despite certain benefits, the disadvantages of this trend outweigh them because..."

Problem-solution:

• "This essay will examine the main causes of this problem and propose solutions."
• "This essay discusses why this is happening and what can be done to address it."

Practice Exercise

Write introductions for these questions using the two-sentence formula. Time yourself—aim for under 2 minutes each.

1. "Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

2. "Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you agree or disagree?"

3. "Global warming is one of the most serious issues facing the world today. What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?"

Compare your introductions to these criteria:

• Did you paraphrase the question effectively?
• Did you clearly state what the essay will do?
• Is your position clear (if required)?
• Is it under 60 words?

From Introduction to Full Essay

A strong introduction sets up your essay for success, but it's only worth about 10% of your overall impression. The body paragraphs are where you demonstrate the skills that earn Band 7+.

Key Takeaways:

1. Keep introductions to 2 sentences and 40-60 words
2. Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question
3. Sentence 2: State your position or essay outline
4. Avoid overused phrases like "Nowadays" and "In today's modern world"
5. Don't copy the question—demonstrate vocabulary through paraphrasing
6. Make your position clear from the start (when opinion is required)

Master the introduction, then move quickly to where the marks really are: your body paragraphs.

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