Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-30

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 7.0)

I partly agree with this view because digital publications are likely to become increasingly popular in the future. However, I do not believe that printed books and newspapers will disappear completely.

There are several reasons why people may increasingly choose to read online. One major advantage of digital publications is that they are often available free of charge, allowing readers to access a wide range of content without purchasing physical copies. In addition, people can access news instantly through the Internet instead of visiting different bookstores to find the books or newspapers they want. Digital books also require no physical storage space, which can be particularly useful for people with limited space at home. Furthermore, online access saves readers the time they would otherwise spend searching for a particular book in different bookstores.

Nevertheless, I do not think printed publications will disappear completely. Some people, particularly those who are less familiar with digital technology, may continue to prefer physical books and newspapers. In addition, many readers simply enjoy the experience of reading a physical book and may not want to replace it with a digital version. Printed newspapers may also remain popular among certain groups because they are familiar with this traditional way of accessing information. Therefore, although online publications are likely to become dominant, there will probably still be demand for printed materials.

In conclusion, I believe that online books and newspapers will become increasingly popular because they are convenient, inexpensive and easy to access. However, I disagree with the idea that nobody will buy printed publications, as some people will continue to prefer physical copies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout. The student acknowledges the rise of digital media while arguing against the total disappearance of print. The ideas are relevant and logically supported by points such as convenience, cost, and the tactile preference of readers. However, the development is somewhat predictable and could be enhanced by exploring the nuance of 'without paying' mentioned in the prompt, as the essay focuses more on convenience than the economic aspect of free content. Overall, the response is well-balanced and directly answers the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the structure is coherent throughout. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is smooth, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses terms like 'digital publications', 'physical copies', 'tactile', and 'dominant' effectively. While the range is adequate, it lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. The word choice is accurate, and there are no spelling errors. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to the publishing industry or technological trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Complex structures, such as 'although online publications are likely to become dominant, there will probably still be demand', are handled well. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the control is strong, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited, and the sentence patterns are occasionally repetitive. However, the majority of sentences are error-free, which is consistent with the band 7/8 criteria.

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

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