IELTS Essay Introduction Templates: Band 7 Examples (Without Penalty)

A strong introduction sets the tone for the entire essay. But IELTS introduced a template penalty in 2026 that caps essays at Band 4 if examiners detect rote phrases like "In contemporary society, the issue of X has become increasingly prevalent." The solution is not to avoid templates entirely — it is to use flexible templates that adapt to the prompt.

This guide gives you Band 7 introductions for every Task 2 question type, with the underlying structure you can adapt without triggering the penalty. Read the 2026 Writing changes for full details on the template penalty.

What examiners want in an introduction

The introduction should do three things in 2-3 sentences:

1. Paraphrase the topic (NOT the entire prompt — just the topic)
2. Outline your approach (your position or what you will discuss)
3. Optional: brief preview of body paragraphs

That is it. Do not start with "In modern times" or "Throughout history" — those are template flags.

Question Type 1: Opinion essays (Agree / Disagree)

Prompt example: "Some people think that schools should focus only on academic subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Band 7 introduction template:

"[Topic paraphrase in your own words]. While [acknowledgment of the opposing view], [your clear position]. This essay will explain why [brief reason 1] and [brief reason 2]."

Sample:

"There is a growing debate about whether schools should narrow their curriculum to academic disciplines alone. While I understand the appeal of academic specialization, I firmly disagree with this view. This essay will explain why physical education and the arts are essential, and how a broad curriculum better prepares students for adult life."

Word count: 49 — perfect for an introduction.

Question Type 2: Discussion essays (Discuss both views and give your opinion)

Prompt example: "Some people believe that university students should pay full tuition fees, while others argue that higher education should be free. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

Band 7 introduction template:

"[Topic paraphrase]. While some argue that [view A], others maintain that [view B]. In this essay, I will examine both perspectives before explaining why I [your position]."

Sample:

"The funding of higher education divides public opinion in many countries. While some argue that students should bear the full cost of their tuition, others maintain that universities should be funded by the state. In this essay, I will examine both perspectives before explaining why I believe a hybrid model is the most equitable solution."

Question Type 3: Problem-solution essays

Prompt example: "Many cities suffer from severe traffic congestion. What are the causes, and what measures can be taken to address this issue?"

Band 7 introduction template:

"[Topic paraphrase introducing the problem]. This essay will identify the main causes of [problem] and propose practical measures that [stakeholder] can take to address them."

Sample:

"Severe traffic congestion has become a defining feature of urban life in many major cities, with commuters facing daily delays and rising pollution levels. This essay will identify the primary causes of this issue and propose concrete measures that municipal authorities can take to alleviate it."

Question Type 4: Advantage-disadvantage essays

Prompt example: "Some people work from home, while others prefer to commute to an office. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?"

Band 7 introduction template:

"[Topic paraphrase noting the trend]. This essay will explore the main benefits and drawbacks of [topic], focusing on [angle 1] and [angle 2]."

Sample:

"Working from home has become significantly more common since the early 2020s, with many companies adopting hybrid or fully remote arrangements. This essay will explore the main benefits and drawbacks of this shift, focusing on its impact on individual productivity and on team cohesion."

Question Type 5: Two-part questions

Prompt example: "Many young people leave their hometowns to study in larger cities. Why is this trend happening? Is it a positive or negative development?"

Band 7 introduction template:

"[Topic paraphrase]. This essay will first explain [reason for trend], then evaluate whether the development is [positive/negative/mixed]."

Sample:

"An increasing number of young people are migrating from small towns to major urban centres for higher education. This essay will first explain the underlying drivers of this trend, then argue that, despite some drawbacks, the overall development is positive for both individuals and society."

Words to avoid (template penalty triggers)

These phrases are flagged by examiners as memorized:

• "In contemporary society / In modern times / In this day and age"
• "It is a well-known fact that"
• "From time immemorial"
• "It is widely accepted that"
• "There is no doubt that"
• "Nowadays, the issue of X has become increasingly prevalent"

Replace them with specific, prompt-relevant phrasing.

How to adapt these templates safely

The core skill is paraphrasing the prompt's topic, not its entire structure. Each prompt has 1-3 keywords you can synonym-swap:

• "Schools should focus only on academic subjects" → "narrow their curriculum to academic disciplines alone"
• "Traffic congestion" → "severe traffic congestion in urban areas"
• "University students should pay tuition" → "students should bear the full cost of their tuition"

Practice this paraphrasing skill on 20 prompts before the test. Once it becomes automatic, you can write a Band 7 introduction in under 4 minutes.

Putting it together: the full Band 7 process

1. Read the prompt twice — identify question type
2. Underline the topic and any qualifiers
3. Paraphrase the topic in 1 sentence
4. State your position or approach
5. Optional preview (helps Coherence)

Total time: 4 minutes. The remaining 36 minutes go to body paragraphs and conclusion.

For body paragraph technique, see 10 Tips to Reach Band 7+ in Writing Task 2 and Top 10 IELTS Writing Mistakes That Block Band 7. For the underlying scoring rubric, see the Task 2 band descriptors.