Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-21
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 recent years, the issue of whether buying newspapers and books or reading it online has sparked considerable debate. Some people predicted that there is nobody who buys newspapers or books due to without any cost they will be able to read everything they want online. I firmly disagree with this view because although some people love to read online, there are many people who are comfortable to reading in paper.
On the one hand, there are several reasons to read newspapers online. Firstly, in online people may easily access several news, article or different types of books by using smartphones, laptops and other device. News will be updated very fast and it will be another reason of this view. As a result, people get the latest news much faster than through newspapers without waiting. Due to the increasing demand of online, reading newspaper on paper will be reduced and the pollution of the environment may improve than before because there is much pollution created due to paper.
On the other hand, I believe that reading on paper will not completely disappear. There are many people who are not comfortable to read on electronic devices. In addition, without an internet connection individuals may not be able to read online and it can be distraction for people. Moreover, many students are comfortable to reading on paper because they can easily underline crucial information on their books. For instance, if the students read online, there will be several types of destruction such as lack of internet, notifications, electricity etc.
In conclusion, in my perspective reading on paper is better than online because reading on paper is more comfortable. Although free online information is likely to reduce the demand for printed newspapers and books, I do not believe that these materials will disappear completely. Printed publications will probably continue to be used by people who prefer traditional reading methods.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position throughout the essay. The introduction outlines the writer's disagreement with the prompt's statement, and body paragraphs present reasons supporting this stance, such as user preference for traditional media and the limitations of online reading. However, some ideas are slightly repetitive or under-developed. For instance, the discussion on environmental pollution in the first body paragraph is loosely linked to the main argument and could have been extended more rigorously. Despite these minor limitations, the main position is sustained and the task is adequately answered, aligning well with the requirements for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraphing structure, including an introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. However, some referencing is faulty or mechanical, and the use of cohesive markers occasionally feels repetitive or unnatural, such as 'News will be updated very fast and it will be another reason of this view.' Paragraph logic is generally sound, though transitions between ideas within paragraphs could be smoother. This level of organisation and cohesion fits the Band 6 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases such as 'considerable debate', 'unfavourable', and 'traditional reading methods'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'reading it online', 'comfortable to reading in paper', and 'several types of destruction' (intended to mean distractions). Spelling is generally accurate, but limitations in collocation and word formation prevent the score from reaching a higher band. The vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the main points but shows some strain.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing conditional structures and relative clauses (e.g., 'if the students read online, there will be several types of destruction'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding prepositional use and verb forms, such as 'comfortable to reading' instead of 'comfortable reading', 'due to without any cost', and confusion with singular/plural nouns like 'device' instead of 'devices'. While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, they occur regularly throughout the response, placing the grammar firmly within the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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