Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-14
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 6.5)
In the contemporary era, digital devices have transformed the way society consumes information. Many people argue that the rise in digital media will result in the complete disappearance of printed newspapers and books.However, I completely disagree with this idea that print media will become obsolete. This is because high quality content is rarely free online and, physical books offer tangible value that digital formats cannot replace.
First and foremost, the assumption that all online reading material is free of cost is incorrect. While General news can be found online free of cost but high quality journalism and academic resources are monetized. Most reputable newspapers use digital paywalls or monthly subscriptions for full access. Furthermore, digital novels and textbooks must still be purchased legally through online stores. Therefore, because premium content is not free, consumers will continue to invest money in reading, whether it is digital or physical.
Beyond financial considerations, printed media offers physical benefits which screens simply cannot. Unlike digital text, printed books provide a tactile experience that many consumers find deeply satisfying. In addition, prolonged exposure to screens is widely known to cause eye strain as a result many readers prefer to read from books to protect their eyes. Furthermore, there is emotional attachment to books which function as collectibles.
In conclusion, I completely disagree with the statement that in the future no body will buy printed newspapers or books while online reading is convenient but it’s not always free due to the subscriptions and paywalls .
Furthermore, the physical and health benefits of paper copies mean that print media will always have loyal consumers. Therefore, traditional publishing will definitely survive in the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
You have clearly addressed all parts of the prompt, maintaining a consistent position throughout the essay. You effectively argue against the idea that print media will disappear by highlighting the economic reality of digital content and the unique physical benefits of books. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the point regarding the cost of high-quality journalism and the health benefits of avoiding screen time. To reach a higher band, ensure that your conclusion does not introduce new phrasing that feels slightly repetitive; instead, focus on synthesizing your main arguments more concisely. Overall, your response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through your arguments. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with punctuation that affect the flow. For instance, the sentence 'While General news can be found online free of cost but high quality journalism...' contains a redundant 'but' after the 'While' clause. Improving the variety of your linking phrases and ensuring punctuation is precise would enhance the overall flow and coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'contemporary era', 'tangible value', and 'monetized' are used effectively. There are some minor issues with word choice and capitalization, such as 'General news' (should be lowercase) and 'no body' (should be 'nobody'). While your vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions would help elevate your score. You have a good grasp of the subject-specific terminology required for this academic task, which allows you to convey your ideas clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'as a result many readers' requires a semicolon or a full stop before 'as a result'. Additionally, the sentence 'I completely disagree with this idea that print media will become obsolete' is slightly clunky. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence boundary punctuation and subject-verb agreement will help you achieve greater accuracy in your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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