Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-06
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 recent years, digital technology has changed the way people read books and newspapers. Some people believe that printed material will be disappeared as everything will be available online for free. I partly disagree with the view because although online reading is becoming more popular these days, but newspaper and books will continue to hold place in society.
On one hand, many people prefer online reading as it is quick and convenient. They can access the books ,newspaper and magazines through their laptop, mobiles and laptops at any time . In addition , there are many online platforms that provide free libraries for free with wide range of reading materials. As a result people can save both money and time . Another fact is that the content can be updated to latest form , making it more useful than printed newspapers which become outdated within a day.
On the other hand, it is unlikely that printed books and newspapers will disappear completely. Many readers enjoy the experience of holding a physical book while reading and it also helps to concentrate on the paper while reading. Printed books do not require electricity or internet connection . Many high quality books , academic publications and newspaper are protected by copyrights, meaning the readers have to pay for them whether it is online or printed.
To conclude, while online reading will continue to grow due to its convenience and low cost , I believe that printed media will not vanish completely. I think both printed and online media will exist together in future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that you partly disagree with the statement. You have balanced the argument by discussing the benefits of online reading while also highlighting the enduring value of physical media. The ideas are relevant and generally well-supported, such as the mention of copyright laws and the tactile experience of reading. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting points are fully developed; for instance, the point about copyright could be expanded to explain how this limits the 'free' aspect of online content more thoroughly. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use transition signals such as 'On one hand,' 'In addition,' and 'To conclude' to guide the reader through your argument. However, some cohesive devices are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with punctuation and spacing (e.g., 'books ,newspaper'). The paragraphing is appropriate, and there is a clear progression of ideas throughout the text. To improve, focus on varying your linking words and ensuring that punctuation around commas is consistent to make the flow more natural.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'digital technology,' 'convenient,' 'outdated,' and 'publications.' There are some minor errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'will be disappeared' (should be 'will disappear') and 'provide free libraries for free' (which is redundant). You attempt to use some less common vocabulary, but the precision could be improved. To reach a higher band, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing to show a more flexible command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'newspaper and books will continue to hold place' (missing an article: 'a place') and 'updated to latest form' (missing an article: 'the latest'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation errors, such as spaces before commas. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing your control over articles and verb forms will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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