Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-03
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In the future nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Student answer (Band 5.5)
In this contemporary era, the technological advancements are seen everywhere, most of the people would prioritize electronic books and newspapers in the coming future. I largely agree with this perspective.
There are several reasons that the upcoming generations will prefer to read books and newspapers online instead of paying money to buy them. First, online platforms are easily accessible and are more reliable then the physicals novels. For example, we have to purchase the abstract books and would spend a lot of money on them. However there is no need to pay to read these articles online.
Secondly, people can use their digital gadgets to reach news instead of carrying papers or books with them.
Thirdly, individuals can get trending articles and novels online. Moreover, they can be aware about the current circumstances about the country or world. While newspapers may provide old news. The most effective thing about online reading is the flexibility and availability. For example, people can read anything according to their own pace. They can access any information they are interested in. Furthermore, online platforms are more engaging and stimulating as mobile phones are being widely used all over the world.
The students can learn about their desired topics online, electronic media is highly beneficial for the students living in rural areas, they can easily get education online. These are the reasons that explains why I agree with the statement.
In conclusion, although some people still love to feel physical books, the advantages of getting knowledge online outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, people will prefer online resources in the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument that online platforms are 'more reliable' than physical novels is not clearly explained or supported with logical reasoning. Additionally, the claim that all online content will be free is a significant over-generalization that weakens the argument. While the response covers the main points, the ideas lack the depth and analytical rigor required for a higher band score. The conclusion effectively summarizes the stance, but the body paragraphs rely on repetitive points about accessibility rather than exploring the broader implications of the shift to digital media.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Secondly', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used to link sentences and paragraphs. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more natural, sophisticated structure. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be strengthened by using a wider variety of linking words and better integration of supporting examples.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'online', 'books', and 'newspapers'. While the student attempts to use some topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'technological advancements', 'digital gadgets'), the word choice is occasionally imprecise, such as 'abstract books' or 'reach news'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the overall lexical range is limited, preventing the expression of more nuanced ideas. To improve, the student should focus on using more sophisticated collocations and synonyms to avoid repetitive phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'the technological advancements are seen everywhere' (unnecessary article), 'more reliable then' (incorrect comparative conjunction), and 'reasons that explains' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage in complex sentences. While the student attempts complex structures, they are not always error-free. The majority of the sentences are simple, and the lack of consistent control over more complex grammatical forms limits the score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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