Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-28
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)
The trend towards online learning has become increasingly popular among people. Some people believe that the online sources will replace printed books altogether, while others argue the importance of physical books will remain intact in the future. Although digital platforms provide a wider variety of information, I believe physical sources will remain valuable.
There are reasons why people claim that physical books will be replaced by online platforms. Firstly, they provide greater convenience and affordability. By this I mean, students can have access to thousands of study materials, research articles and surveys within seconds. They can find plenty of focused data from the comfort of their homes. This is particularly beneficial for individuals living in areas distant from educational institutes and public libraries and more importantly for people with limited incomes and those who cannot afford to purchase physical reading materials. As a result, people can enjoy the facility of accessing books from their homes and free of cost.
Having said that, books available online cannot replace the need for physical books. Firstly, printed books allow people to gain authentic information as the data available on the internet may not always be authentic. Moreover, books are published after several tests and checks, and have a lower chance of incorrect and misleading information. Secondly, many people, particularly older citizens, find printed books more reliable since they are used to a traditional mode of learning and have eyesight issues. Furthermore, it is recommended to teach children via printed materials as excessive screen time can be destructive for their mental and physical health.
All things considered, although digital services are providing peple with plenty of information in a moment, they will not replace printed books and newspapers altogether. I believe that the combination of printed books and online sources would be the most suitable approach and can produce more productive outcomes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both sides of the argument and clearly stating a personal position in the introduction and conclusion. However, the prompt specifically mentions newspapers, books, and reading everything online without paying, whereas the student's introduction frames the topic around 'online learning' and 'study materials'. Despite this slight shift in focus, the essay covers the main ideas well, extending arguments regarding convenience, authenticity, and health impacts. The position is maintained throughout, and the ideas are supported with relevant examples, aligning best with a Band 6.5 descriptor, rounded here to 6.0 due to the initial framing on online learning rather than general reading materials.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction outlines the background and thesis, the second paragraph explores the arguments for digital platforms, the third presents counter-arguments supporting physical books, and the conclusion summarises the stance. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'All things considered' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is logical and used appropriately throughout the response. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions keep it at a solid Band 7 level.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'authenticity', 'misleading information', and 'subsequent outcomes'. Word choices are mostly appropriate, though there are minor inaccuracies like 'peple' (spelling typo) and slight awkwardness in phrasing such as 'facility of accessing books'. The range is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision, and spelling errors do not impede communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 6.5 descriptors, rounded to 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional and subordinate clauses such as 'Although digital platforms provide a wider variety of information, I believe physical sources will remain valuable.' There is a good variety of complex structures used throughout the response, and punctuation is generally handled well. While there are occasional errors and minor awkwardness in sentence construction—such as 'people can enjoy the facility of accessing books'—the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and communication is never impeded. This demonstrates strong control deserving of a Band 7.0.
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