3.2. Paraphrasing
Reword the task in your own words, without changing what it says.
The short version
Copying the task earns nothing.
Change the words, never the meaning.
A forced synonym is worse than the original word.
Change the grammar, not only the vocabulary.
Why bother
Words copied straight from the task do not count as your English, so a copied opening earns nothing. Rewriting it is the first thing an examiner sees you do.
Three steps
- Keep every meaning part (who, what changed, how much, where, when).
- Change the grammar if you can.
- Swap only words you are sure of.
The same sentence
Some people think city centres should ban private cars on weekdays.
Some people want private cars kept out of city centres on weekdays.
Some people think all cars should be banned forever.
The source said city centres and weekdays. Forever and all cars are new claims. That hurts Task Response.
Quiz time2 questions
Check
Choose the rewrite that keeps the meaning.
Source: “Some people think city centres should ban private cars on weekdays.”
Your turn
Rewrite the sentence in your own words. Keep every meaning part. Change the grammar. Use only words you are sure of.
Many governments spend large sums on public transport instead of building new roads.
Set up your learning path at the top of this lesson to get band-specific feedback.
Recap
Copied words from the task do not count towards your score.
Change structure as well as vocabulary.
A wrong synonym costs more than a repeated word.
Next: how to join your sentences so a reader can follow them.