Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-26

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)

The prompt suggests that the ubiquity of free digital content will eventually render printed books and newspapers obsolete. While I acknowledge the profound shift toward digital consumption, I disagree with the notion that print media will vanish entirely, primarily because the assumption of “everything being free” is a fallacy. The Rise of Digital DominanceThe migration to digital platforms is undeniable, driven by unparalleled convenience and real-time accessibility. In the contemporary era, the ephemeral nature of news makes the 24-hour cycle of a printed newspaper appear anachronistic. Furthermore, from an environmental and fiscal perspective, the elimination of physical production and distribution costs allows publishers to reach a global audience instantaneously. For many, the ability to house a vast library within a single, lightweight device has transformed reading from a stationary activity into a portable, seamless experience. The Endurance of PrintHowever, the argument that print will disappear ignores the tactile and aesthetic value of physical media. For bibliophiles, a book is not merely a vessel for information but a tangible object that offers a sensory experience—the scent of paper and the weight of a volume—which digital screens cannot replicate. This has led to a resurgence in “slow reading” as a form of digital detox. Moreover, the prediction that online content will remain free is increasingly inaccurate. As digital advertising revenues fluctuate, many reputable publications have implemented stringent paywalls to preserve journalistic integrity. Consequently, the high-quality content that consumers value is often still a paid commodity, whether digital or physical. In conclusion, while digital media will undoubtedly remain the primary mode of information consumption due to its efficiency, printed materials are unlikely to face total extinction. Instead, they will likely transition into a niche or premium market, valued for their longevity and the focused experience they provide. The future is not one of total digital replacement, but rather a hybrid landscape where both formats coexist.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the task by taking a clear, well-supported position regarding the future of printed books and newspapers. Your introduction clearly states your stance that print media will not vanish entirely, challenging the premise that online content will remain free. Throughout the body paragraphs, you extend and support your ideas logically, discussing both the drivers of digital dominance such as 'unparalleled convenience' and the enduring appeal of print like the 'tactile and aesthetic value of physical media.' The arguments are well-developed, addressing both sides of the prompt before arriving at a balanced conclusion. There are no omissions or under-developed points, reflecting strong performance matching the Band 8 descriptor criteria.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

Your response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are carefully sequenced, moving smoothly from the rise of digital dominance to the endurance of print, and culminating in a well-considered hybrid conclusion. You make effective use of cohesive devices, such as 'Furthermore,' 'Moreover,' and 'Consequently,' which guide the reader effortlessly through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently, though note that there appears to be a slight formatting glitch where headings like 'The Rise of Digital Dominance' ran directly into the body text without a line break. Nevertheless, overall cohesion is well managed, justifying a solid score.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

You display a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource that enables you to convey precise meanings. You skillfully incorporate uncommon and sophisticated items such as 'ubiquity,' 'anachronistic,' 'bibliophiles,' 'digital detox,' and 'journalistic integrity.' Word choice and collocation are generally very natural, as seen in expressions like 'ephemeral nature of news' and 'paid commodity.' There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication in any way. The vocabulary deployed clearly surpasses the requirements for Band 7 and easily satisfies the criteria for an 8.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic elements such as participial phrases ('driven by unparalleled convenience') and concessive clauses ('while I acknowledge the profound shift...'). Punctuation and grammatical control are maintained at a high standard throughout the text, with only very occasional minor slips. The complexity and precision of your sentence patterns reflect strong grammatical competence, placing your writing comfortably at a Band 8 level.

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