Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-02
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)
Many people believe that in the future nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will able to read everything they want online without paying. I partially agree with this view because online sources provide greater convenience and instant updates, but at the same time due to online sources, people may lose their reading habit from physical books and may increase the risk of eye problems.
On the one hand, online sources provide greater convenience. This is because news on apps or websites is accessible 24 hours. For example, if a person has a busy schedule during the day, they may use an app to read news at night without carrying a physical newspaper. People can read about various news topics at anytime and anywhere. Therefore, online sources are more convenient than physical newspapers. Additionally, online broadcasts provide instant updates about the news. The newspapers get updated on daily basis, but online sources get updated within a few hours. For instance, if a disaster occurs in a particular state, people may get updates of it on the next day through newspapers. However, online sources help to spread this news within a few hours. In addition, online sources can be beneficial for those with a lower salary. Individuals who cannot afford to buy books, may use online sources without paying, just with the help of the internet.
On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks to consider. Firstly, people may lose their physical book reading habit by relying only on online sources. Younger generations may not develop a book reading habit and may require electronic devices such as mobile phones or laptops to do their studies. The children may misuse these devices by playing games or wasting time on the unproductive things. Secondly, reading from screens can be dangerous for eyes. The screens of the electronic devices release a huge amount of harmful rays, which can become a threat for eyes. If a person frequently uses screen for reading news, they may increase a chance of getting specs at a younger age.
In conclusion, I partially agree that in the future nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because of online sources. Although online sources provide greater convenience and instant updates, it can also create challenges such as a loss reading habit and affects the eyes. A balanced approach works best where online sources should continue to grow, while physical newspapers and books should exist alongside.
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 all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout. The arguments regarding convenience and instant updates are well-developed, and the counter-arguments regarding reading habits and health are relevant. The essay is balanced and provides a logical conclusion. To reach a higher band, the student could deepen the analysis of the 'without paying' aspect of the prompt, as the current discussion focuses more on the format (digital vs. print) than the economic implications of free access. Overall, the ideas are well-supported and the response is fully relevant to the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Additionally', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more varied to improve the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument well.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'instant updates', 'busy schedule', and 'balanced approach' are used correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'getting specs' (informal) and 'unproductive things' (vague). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophistication and idiomatic control required for higher bands. The student successfully avoids repetition, but the range of less common lexical items remains somewhat limited.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While there is good control over basic grammar, there are recurring errors, such as 'they will able to' (missing 'be'), 'on daily basis' (missing article), and 'a loss reading habit' (missing preposition). Punctuation is generally accurate, but some phrasing is slightly awkward, such as 'the newspapers get updated on daily basis'. The majority of sentences are clear, and errors do not impede communication, but the frequency of these minor slips prevents a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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