Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-25

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 7.5)

While online platforms offer instant access to a vast array of content, I largely disagree with the claim that printed media will disappear entirely due to free digital access. Digital media will certainly remain dominant, but physical books and newspapers will continue to exist due to economic realities, tangibility, and shifting consumer habits.

First, the premise that everything online will be available without paying is flawed. Quality journalism and publishing require significant financial investment. As digital advertising revenues fluctuate, publishers are increasingly shifting toward paywalls, digital subscriptions, and premium membership models. High-quality reporting and books are rarely free; online access simply alters the payment method rather than eliminating the cost.

Second, print offers distinct tactile and cognitive benefits that digital formats cannot replicate. Reading on screens causes digital eye strain and cognitive fatigue, leading many readers to suffer from "screen burnout." Studies consistently show that print media provides better reading comprehension, focus, and memory retention because it is free from notifications and hyperlinked distractions.

Furthermore, physical books hold significant cultural and personal value as collectible items, decor, and gifts. The enduring popularity of print among younger demographics—driven by trends like "BookTok"—demonstrates that physical media is often preferred for deep, deliberate reading, even by digital natives.

However, printed newspapers face a much steeper decline than books. The fast-paced nature of modern news makes physical daily papers economically inefficient and environmentally costly compared to real-time online updates. Despite this shift, print will not vanish entirely. Instead, daily print newspapers will transition into niche, high-end weekend editions, while print books will remain a resilient primary medium.

In conclusion, digital media will dominate quick information gathering, but economic paywalls and the distinct sensory benefits of physical print ensure that newspapers and books will adapt rather than become extinct.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt, exploring both the future of printed newspapers and books while taking a clear, well-supported stance against the prompt's absolute claim. The writer successfully develops ideas around economic realities, cognitive benefits of physical media, and changing consumer habits, such as the mention of "BookTok" trends among younger demographics. The arguments are extended effectively throughout the body paragraphs, and the conclusion neatly summarises the nuanced position without contradicting earlier points. The task is handled thoroughly, meeting all criteria for a high band performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression from the introduction through well-defined body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used very appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-theme, such as economic investment, cognitive benefits, and cultural value. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally throughout the text, as seen in transition words like "First," "Second," "Furthermore," and "However." Referencing is clear, and the overall progression guides the reader smoothly through the writer's line of argumentation without any awkward transitions or mechanical phrasing.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic response. Less common vocabulary items and collocations are used skillfully, such as "cognitive fatigue," "reading comprehension," "memory retention," and "environmentally costly." Word choice is precise, and the phrasing sounds natural and sophisticated. There are virtually no lexical errors, and the vocabulary choices contribute significantly to the clarity and academic tone of the essay, easily satisfying the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated subordination and participial phrases, such as "driven by trends like 'BookTok'" and "While online platforms offer instant access to a vast array of content." Control of grammar, punctuation, and tense consistency is excellent throughout. Only very occasional, non-systematic errors could possibly be found, which does not impede communication in any way. The grammatical control is strong and secure.

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