Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-25

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)

The advancement in technology has led some people to think that in the future, everyone will prefer to read free newspapers and books online. I completely disagree with this opinion because people already spend a lot of their time on social media platforms that can divert their focus while reading online; also mostly people prefer to experience reading in printed format because it is more beneficial.

First of all, I believe that people mostly spend most of their time on social platforms for entertainment rather than reading. When people use smartphones for study purposes, their focus is significantly affected by social media notifications, which directly divert their focus from reading books or newspapers. For instance, a study report by the UN from 2025 found that technology has harmed study by more than 60% in the last three years. However, in the future it will have by far a much higher adverse effect on those who prefer to study online.

Secondly, more individuals lean towards buying printed newspapers and books instead of ebooks. Handbooks foster a more open and engaging experience while learning anything. For example, a handbook creates a sensory connection more effectively when touching paper and significantly rise knowledge gaining power. Furthermore, those who are keen to learn in a book and physical format do not care about paying for it because they prioritise the learning experience over money.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that learning through handbooks is more beneficial compared to ebooks to avoid any distraction from social media sites. Subsequently, people who study books succeed in achieving their desired knowledge.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position against the idea that printed media will disappear. The ideas are relevant, focusing on the distractions of online environments and the sensory benefits of physical books. However, the development is somewhat limited. The reference to a 'UN study from 2025' is an example of an unsupported, invented statistic, which detracts from the academic tone. While the main arguments are clear, they could be further extended with more nuanced reasoning regarding the economic or cultural aspects of publishing to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'For instance', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition 'Subsequently' in the conclusion is used incorrectly, as it does not logically follow the previous sentence. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure relies on a standard template that lacks sophisticated linking between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their opinions clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'significantly affected' and 'sensory connection'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward collocations, such as 'rise knowledge gaining power' and 'lean towards buying'. These errors do not impede communication, but they demonstrate a lack of precision. To improve, the student should focus on more natural collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'mostly people prefer' (should be 'most people'), 'harmed study' (should be 'harmed academic performance'), and 'keen to learn in a book' (should be 'keen to learn from a book'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the control over complex structures is inconsistent. The majority of sentences are understandable, but the recurring errors prevent the essay from reaching a higher band.

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