Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-15
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)
There is an ongoing debate on whether people nowadays should continue to support and buy the traditional printed newpapers or books. While some argue that people should not waste or spend their money on this since they're able to access the contents on the internet without have to pay for it. While we can read the newpapers or books on the internet without have pay for it, I strongly disagree about unpaid viewing and people should pay for the contents they watch whether they are digital media and traditional printed newpapers. This essay will discuss the several disadvantages come from it if people not supporting or paying for the books or newpapers.
Firstly, if everyone not supporting or paying for the contents they watch it will creates major negative consequence for the quality information, the survival of professional writers and the stability of society leading to decline of quality journalism. Without subscription or purchase revenue, newsroom cannot afford to pay the reporters, researchers and editors result in loss of funding causing newsroom have to layoff some of the employee causing the quality of news to drop substantially. Furthermore, free website often rely on ads revenue, forcing them to write shocking or
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it is only 201 words long. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the essay is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence. While you establish a clear position and attempt to discuss the negative consequences of free content, the under-length nature of the response means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, you must ensure you fully develop your arguments with sufficient supporting evidence and examples to meet the length requirement, ensuring the essay reaches a logical conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay shows some attempt at logical organization, using transition words like 'Firstly' and 'Furthermore'. However, the abrupt ending and the incomplete nature of the second paragraph hinder the overall flow. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, and the lack of a concluding paragraph makes the structure feel unfinished. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that you include a clear introduction, body paragraphs with distinct points, and a summary conclusion to tie the arguments together.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'paying for the contents' and 'printed newpapers'. There are also minor spelling errors, such as 'newpapers' instead of 'newspapers'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied and sophisticated vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'digital transformation', 'journalistic integrity', or 'subscription-based models', and ensure you check your spelling carefully.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'if everyone not supporting' (missing auxiliary verb), 'it will creates' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'without have pay' (incorrect verb form). The sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when attempting complex constructions. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions and gerunds. Proofreading for these common errors will significantly improve the accuracy and readability of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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