Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-06

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 printed newspapers or books and will become obsolete because people will be able to access all the information they need online for free. I partly agree with this statement because digital media is becoming increasingly popular, but I believe printed publications will continue to have a place in society.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why online reading may eventually replace much of printed media. First, the internet provides people with instant access to a vast amount of information. For example, readers can use new websites, online libraries and educational platforms to find articles and books within seconds, often at little of no cost.

In addition, digital content is more convenient because people can access it using smartphones , tablets or laptops without carrying heavy notebooks or newspapers. Furthermore, online news can be updated immediately, while printed books and newspapers need time to print and circulate physically.

On the other hand, I do not believe that printed books and newspaper will disappear completely. Many people still prefer reading physical books because they find it more comfortable and less distracting than digital devices. Printed books also do not require electricity and internet connection, making it convenient in certain situations. Moreover, some readers enjoy collecting books and consider them as a valuable collections. Newspapers are also used by government to publish budget, new laws, rules, tender, and publish public information.

In conclusion, although free and easily accessible online content will probably reduce the demand of printed newspapers and books, I disagree that nobody will purchase that in future. Digital media is likely to dominate, but printed publications will probably survive as a preferred option for certain readers.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that balances the convenience of digital media with the enduring value of physical publications. Your ideas are relevant and supported by logical arguments, such as the convenience of digital devices versus the tactile preference and utility of physical books. To reach a higher band, ensure that your arguments are more fully developed; for instance, the point about government usage of newspapers could be expanded to explain why this specific function is unlikely to be fully digitised in the near future. Overall, the response is well-focused and maintains a consistent stance throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Moreover', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. To improve, ensure that referencing is always precise; for example, in the final paragraph, 'nobody will purchase that' is slightly vague as 'that' refers back to a plural noun phrase. Strengthening the transition between the convenience of digital media and the specific reasons for the survival of print would further enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'obsolete', 'circulate', and 'digital content' appropriately. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'little of no cost' (should be 'little or no cost') and 'valuable collections' (which is slightly redundant). While you attempt to use some less common vocabulary, the range is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and precise academic terminology, such as 'ubiquitous nature of the internet' or 'tangible reading experience', to demonstrate greater flexibility and precision in your word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is consistently clear. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'printed books and newspaper will' (should be plural 'newspapers') and 'making it convenient' (which lacks a clear subject or reference). Punctuation is generally sound, though there is an unnecessary space before the comma in 'smartphones , tablets'. While you show good control, the variety of complex structures is somewhat limited. Increasing the use of varied subordinate clauses and ensuring subject-verb agreement throughout will help you move into the higher band range.

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

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