Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-29
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)
In today's period digitalization of books, newspapers and other reading materials have rapidly increased. It has became very accessible for everyone to find materials and to read and watch news online. Well, I agree with this point, but within certain circumstances. I'll discuss my view on both the topics in forthcoming paragraph.
Now with the expanded exposure to get any reading material online through websites, applications and portals, it have given us a freedom to get any material at preferred time. It has prevented the period of wait for getting some material from library and books/newspaper stores. Through digitalization people have started getting access to buy or read nay needed/helping materials through authentic websites and portals, which provides convenient format of storing them. In couple of years, there would be some possibilities to have access to read materials online with any paid subscriptions or logins, with certain additional benefits.
On the other hand, it is believed that some people still prefer reading in traditional way, in order to feel emotionally more connected to reading. Additionally people with disabilities in vision prefer reading by feeling the curves and impression of text. There are some books available in the market for blind people with dot language. In these circumstances, fully digitalization in reading would be a full-stop to people with disabilities.
To conclude, future possibilities of getting access to reading materials online cannot fully replace the traditional way of reading. Additionally, increased screen-time due to reading could lead us to the health issues related to vision. In prevention of that, it would still be preferable to read in traditional way. Printed newspapers or books still will be printed on paper to keep the users more connected to the reading experience.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the shift to digital media and the reasons why traditional formats might persist. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For example, the argument regarding 'dot language' (Braille) is a good point, but it is not fully integrated into a broader discussion about the future of publishing. The position is clear, but the essay lacks a sophisticated exploration of the economic or cultural implications of the shift to online content. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed examples and ensure that your arguments are logically extended rather than just stated.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Additionally' and 'To conclude', which help the flow of the text. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'both the topics' in the introduction, which does not clearly define what those topics are. The progression of ideas is generally easy to follow, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by using more varied linking words to connect sentences more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your ideas, such as 'digitalization', 'accessible', and 'authentic'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'dot language' (instead of Braille), 'full-stop to people' (instead of a barrier or obstacle), and 'nay needed' (a typo). These errors do not impede communication, but they limit the precision of your writing. To improve, focus on learning collocations and using more academic terminology to express complex ideas more naturally.
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 subject-verb agreement issues ('It have given', 'it have became') and awkward phrasing ('In today's period'). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of your main points. To achieve a higher score, you need to demonstrate better control over basic grammar, particularly verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, and aim for more error-free complex sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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