Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-26
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)
It is often argued that people will prefer to read everything online for free in the near future instead of buying the physical forms like books or newspapers. I partially agree with this view because, online access to books or news are much more convenient. However, they might have to pay for premium services.
One of the major reasons why people will not purchase printed newspapers or books in the coming years is the convenience that online platforms provide. Anybody can get easier access to global or local news in just few clicks. In terms of books, many authors nowadays publish their books online making it simpler for people to enjoy them without having to go out to purchase them. Moreover, people can get a various range of options according to their tastes in one place, which is not possible for most printed options. For example, one might have to visit multiple stores or library to find or know about other alternatives with printed medias, but online options make it less complicated.
However, all the services will not be for free. For instance, readers will have to pay something for premium services. Even today, book publishing websites provide free trial for a month or so and after that require users to pay for further services. Hence, there is a high possibility of people preferring online platforms over brick-and-mortar stores for newspapers and books, but they can not have access to every single thing without paying anything.
In conclusion, it is true that in the coming future, people will not buy physical newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything online as its much more convenient and offers numerous options in one place compared to printed options and i completely agree with that. Nevertheless, the services are not gonna be for free as subscriptions require users to pay something for the services provided and thus I partially agree with the statement.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the shift to online reading and the financial aspect of this transition. You maintain a clear position throughout, acknowledging the convenience of digital media while correctly identifying that it will not be entirely free. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the mention of subscription models and free trials. However, the development could be more nuanced; for instance, you could explore why some people might still prefer physical books (e.g., tactile experience or eye strain) to provide a more balanced argument. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'Nevertheless' to link ideas effectively. However, there are some minor issues with referencing and flow; for example, the phrase 'the physical forms' in the introduction is slightly vague. Additionally, the transition between the convenience of online reading and the cost of premium services is clear, but the paragraphing could be slightly more refined to ensure a smoother progression of ideas. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'premium services', 'brick-and-mortar stores', and 'subscriptions'. There is some repetition of basic words like 'options' and 'services'. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, there are occasional inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'get a various range of options' instead of 'a wide range of options' and 'printed medias' (media is already plural). Despite these minor errors, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'online access to books or news are' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'in just few clicks' (missing article). You also use informal language like 'gonna' in the conclusion, which is inappropriate for an academic essay. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that your writing maintains a formal, academic tone by avoiding contractions and colloquialisms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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