IELTS Writing Task 2 - How to write the introduction paragraph?

🎯 The Core Concept

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The introduction is just a functional paragraph (功能性段落). Your essay score depends mostly on the main body paragraphs (主體段落), so keep the introduction short and save time.

(Source: IELTS Simon Writing Video Course Lesson 2 Introductions)

🧱 The Two-Sentence Structure

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This approach eliminates overthinking (消除過度思考) and saves precious time (節省寶貴時間) by giving you a clear, repeatable formula (重複使用的公式) for every introduction. Each introduction should take no more than 5 minutes and contain roughly 30-40 words.

📊 Four Question Types & Examples

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1. Discussion Question

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Example Prompt (例題): Some people think that it is more effective for students to study in groups, while others believe that it is better for them to study alone. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Plan with keywords (快速寫關鍵字):

• Topic - study in groups or alone

• Answer - sometimes better alone, usually better in a group.

Two-Sentence Introduction (兩句引言):

1. People have different views about the effectiveness of group study as opposed to (相對於) studying alone.

2. While there are some benefits to studying independently (獨自), I believe that group work is usually more productive (更有效).

2. Opinion Question

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Example Prompt (例題): Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory (強制性的) part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan with keywords (快速寫關鍵字):

• Plan: Topic - community service for all teenagers*

• Answer - agree / disagree / balanced opinion 平衡觀點 (when possible)

**Two-Sentence Introduction (兩句引言) — Agree:

1. It is sometimes argued that high school students should be made to do some work in their local communities.

2. I completely agree that this kind of scheme would be a good idea.

Change Sentence 2 — Disagree:

2. In my opinion, it would be wrong to force teenagers to do any kind of unsalaried (無薪的) work.

**Change Sentence 2 — Balanced opinion (平衡觀點):

2. While I disagree with the idea of making such programmes compulsory, I do believe that voluntary community service could benefit young people.

3. Problem and Solution Question

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Example Prompt (例題): Many criminals reoffend after they have been punished (懲罰). Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

Plan with keywords (快速寫關鍵字):

• Plan: Topic - criminals reoffend*

• Answer - several reasons, a variety of measures (governments, communities)

Two-Sentence Introduction (兩句引言):

1. It is true that punishments do not always deter criminals from committing more crimes.

2. There are various reasons why offenders repeatedly break the law, but governments could certainly take steps to address this issue.

4. Two-Part Question (雙問題)

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Example Prompt (例題): As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction (滿足感) is an important element of individual well-being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expetation of job satisfaction for all workers?

Plan with keywords (快速寫關鍵字):

• Plan: Topic - job satisfaction*

• Answer - several factors, unrealistic / impossible

Two-Sentence Introduction (兩句引言):

1. Work plays a central role in our lives, and we would all like to feel fulfilled professionally.

2. While a variety of factors may lead to a job satisfaction, it would be unrealistic to expect everyone to be happy at work.

🚫 What NOT to Do

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• Don’t write a long introduction (引言不可過長): It is just a waste of time. Don’t repeat the question word-for-word (不可照抄題目): Always paraphrase (改寫) using synonyms (同義詞) and different sentence structures (不同句型).

• Don’t skip the planning phase (不要跳過構思階段): Planning will help you write so much faster later on.

💡 Key Takeaway

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