Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20

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)

It is undeniable that digital media will entirely replace printed books and newspapers because consumers can access reading material online free of charge. I agree to a large extent with this notion due to many reasons which will be outline in forthcoming fragments with logical conclusion.

To commence with, the shift toward digital platforms is undeniable due to unparalleled convenience and accessibility. The prime one is that, e-books and news applications allow readers to carry an entire library in their pockets and access breaking news globally in real time. To explain more, the environmental benefits of reducing paper consumption align with modern sustainability goals, pushing educational institutions and corporations further away from print. Secondly, the market share of traditional newspapers and physical textbooks will undoubtedly continue to shrink significantly. To instance, online research papers and other study materials available at free or at very low cost helps poor children to learn efficiently as governments provide them laptops or other electronic device free of cost.

However, it is unrealistic to claim that printed books and newspapers will completely disappear. First and foremost, physical books offer a sensory experience the feel of the paper and the absence of screen fatigue that digital devices cannot replicate. For many avid readers, collectors, and print editions hold cultural and sentimental value. Additionally, in many developing regions, unreliable internet access and the high cost of digital devices mean that printed materials remain a crucial, reliable medium for education and literacy. However, high quality journalism and authoritative literature require substantial financial investment to produce.

To conclude, although there are several reasons in later point of view such as physical books offer a sensory experience the feel of the paper, hold cultural and sentimental value, yet according to me nobody in future will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying and also convenient to carry.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that digital media will replace print. However, the development is inconsistent. While the first body paragraph provides relevant points regarding convenience and sustainability, the second paragraph introduces counter-arguments that are not fully integrated into the overall argument. The conclusion is particularly problematic; it contradicts the nuance introduced in the third paragraph by reverting to an absolute stance, which weakens the logical progression of the argument. To improve, ensure that counter-arguments are effectively refuted or balanced rather than simply listed, and ensure the conclusion reflects the complexity of the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Secondly', and 'However'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'To instance' instead of 'For instance'. Furthermore, the referencing within the final paragraph is confusing; the transition 'although there are several reasons in later point of view' is unclear and disrupts the flow of the argument. While the overall progression is generally coherent, the lack of sophisticated linking between the counter-arguments and the final conclusion limits the score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, including terms like 'unparalleled convenience', 'sustainability goals', and 'authoritative literature'. There are some instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'in forthcoming fragments' and 'To instance'. Additionally, there is some repetition of basic vocabulary. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Expanding the range of collocations and avoiding informal phrasing would help improve the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'which will be outline' (should be 'outlined'), 'available at free or at very low cost' (should be 'for free'), and 'the feel of the paper and the absence of screen fatigue that digital devices cannot replicate' (which lacks a main verb in that clause). Punctuation is generally functional, but some sentences are run-on or lack necessary commas. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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