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🎯 5 Advanced Paraphrasing Techniques for IELTS Writing Band 8+ (With Examples & Quiz!)

One of the most important skills for scoring Band 8+ in IELTS Writing is paraphrasing — expressing the same idea in different words. Whether you’re writing an introduction in Task 2 or rephrasing information in Task 1, the ability to paraphrase effectively shows examiners that you have a wide lexical range and strong command of English grammar.

In this post, we’ll go beyond the basics and explore 5 advanced paraphrasing techniques used by Band 8+ candidates. Let’s dive in!


1️⃣ Use Collocations & Word Partnerships

🔁 Original: Many people believe that the government should ban cars in city centers.
✅ Paraphrased: A large number of individuals hold the view that vehicle bans should be introduced in urban areas.

Why it works: Native-like word pairings such as hold the view, urban areas, and vehicle bans demonstrate a sophisticated command of English.


2️⃣ Transform Word Forms (Noun ↔ Verb ↔ Adjective)

🔁 Original: Pollution is a serious issue.
✅ Paraphrased: The environment has been seriously polluted in recent years.

Why it works: Changing the word form while keeping the meaning helps you avoid repetition and shows flexibility in grammar.


3️⃣ Use Passive Voice (when appropriate)

🔁 Original: Scientists discovered a new method to treat cancer.
✅ Paraphrased: A new method to treat cancer was discovered by scientists.

Why it works: The passive voice allows you to restructure the sentence, which is useful when the subject is less important.


4️⃣ Apply Synonyms Strategically (Not blindly!)

🔁 Original: Young people today spend too much time on social media.
✅ Paraphrased: The youth nowadays devote excessive time to online networking platforms.

Why it works: Effective synonym use requires context awareness — not all synonyms are interchangeable. “Devote” and “spend” differ slightly in tone, which adds variation without changing the meaning.


5️⃣ Change Sentence Structure or Clause Type

🔁 Original: If the government increases taxes, people may protest.
✅ Paraphrased: An increase in taxes by the government could lead to public demonstrations.

Why it works: You’re turning a conditional sentence into a noun phrase, which adds variety to sentence structure — a key element for Band 8+.


🧠 Quick Paraphrasing Quiz (3 Questions)

Can you spot the better paraphrased version for each?

Q1:
Original: Many parents are concerned about their children’s screen time.
A. A lot of parents are worried about how long their kids use screens.
B. Numerous guardians express anxiety regarding their offspring’s digital engagement.
Best: B (More formal, academic tone)

Q2:
Original: Tourism is beneficial for the local economy.
A. Tourists help small businesses earn more money.
B. Tourism contributes positively to the economic development of local communities.
Best: B (More formal, complex structure)

Q3:
Original: Technology is changing the way we work.
A. Technological advancements are reshaping work environments.
B. Technology is making jobs different.
Best: A (Richer vocabulary and clearer structure)


✅ Final Tips

  • Don’t force complex vocabulary — accuracy matters more than complexity.
  • Practice paraphrasing newspaper headlines and IELTS questions daily.
  • Always check for grammatical correctness and natural tone.

Download our free PDF worksheet with 10 paraphrasing exercises + answers!

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