Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-13

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 6.0)

As far as this topic is concerned, I do not completely agree with the statement that nobody will buy printed newspapers or books in the future. Although online information is becoming increasingly popular, I believe that printed materials will continue to have some importance.

Firstly, there are many advantages to reading newspapers and books online. People can access a huge amount of information quickly and often for free. Moreover, digital content is convenient because people can read it on smartphones, tablets and computers anywhere. For example, online newspapers can provide the latest news immediately, while e-books can be stored on a single device. Therefore, the popularity of digital reading is likely to increase in the future.

On the other hand, many people still prefer printed books and newspapers. Reading a printed book can be more comfortable because it does not require a screen and may help people concentrate better. Furthermore, people often enjoy collecting physical books and keeping them for a long time. Some newspapers and books may also contain high-quality information that is not freely available online.

In conclusion, although online reading is convenient, affordable and likely to become more popular, I disagree that printed newspapers and books will completely disappear. I believe that both digital and printed materials will continue to exist according to people's different preferences.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that printed materials will not completely disappear in the future. The response is generally relevant and explores both sides of the argument, such as the advantages of online media and the enduring appeal of physical books. However, the task achievement is significantly constrained by the word count. As stated in the length check, the response contains 219 words, falling short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the depth and extension of ideas, preventing the writer from fully exploring their arguments to meet the higher band descriptors. Consequently, the score is capped at Band 5.5 due to the length penalty and underdeveloped arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall arrangement with an introduction, well-defined body paragraphs focusing on separate aspects of the topic, and a logical conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to link ideas, as seen with transition words like 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is generally clear, and the progression of ideas is fairly logical throughout. However, the cohesive relationships can sometimes feel a bit formulaic, and the overall brevity of the text prevents a more sophisticated flow. Because the structure is coherent and easy to follow, it comfortably meets the criteria for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'advantages', 'increasingly popular', 'convenient', and 'preferences'. Word choice is generally appropriate and allows the writer to convey their meaning clearly. There are attempts to use slightly less common vocabulary, but the range remains somewhat limited, and there is a lack of truly sophisticated or precise lexical items that would elevate the writing to a higher band. Spelling and word choice are accurate, with no errors that impede communication. Overall, the lexical resource fits the Band 6 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a satisfactory mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Examples of complex structures include concessive and causal clauses, such as 'Although online information is becoming increasingly popular, I believe that...' and 'Reading a printed book can be more comfortable because it does not require a screen...'. Grammatical accuracy is reasonably high, and the majority of sentences are free from major errors. Punctuation is used correctly. While the range of structures is somewhat restricted due to the short length of the essay, the control over the grammar attempted is good, warranting a Band 6.5.

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

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