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)

t is often argued that the availability of free online reading materials will make newspapers and books less preferred among individuals. While buying newspapers and books can help develop a habit of reading regularly, I believe that the economic advantages and convenience offered by online platforms are more significant.

Through online platforms, people can read anything at any time and from anywhere. In this modern age, when people increasingly expect information to be available at their fingertips, online media have provided this convenience. People can read an article or scroll through a news feed while relaxing in their own homes. Similarly, it is difficult to get a newspaper at any random time. If an event occurs in any part of the world, people must wait until the next morning to obtain information if they rely on newspapers. However, news can be uploaded instantly to websites, leading to its rapid circulation among the public. This convenience can also be used to warn the public about emergencies. For example, if a government needs to inform the general public about sudden flooding, it is technically impossible to print newspapers and circulate them around the country immediately. Online media, on the other hand, can be used as a quick medium for this purpose.

Generally, people do not need to spend money to access books available online, whereas buying physical books involves considerable expense. Only the cost of an internet connection and a relatively small investment in a mobile phone or computer may be enough to access a large number of books. This can reduce financial barriers to education and study. Moreover, online platforms provide access to multiple sources of information, allowing readers to compare information and gain knowledge from various authors. In contrast, physical books may provide information from only a limited number of sources, and a single book may not contain sufficient study material.

In conclusion, although physical books and newspapers may offer some benefits, I believe that the ease of access, lower cost and flexibility offered by online media are more significant. Therefore, printed newspapers and books are likely to become less popular as more people turn to online sources for reading materials.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student presents a clear position throughout the essay, arguing that economic advantages and convenience make online reading preferable. All parts of the prompt are addressed, specifically considering whether printed materials will disappear completely because of free online reading. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as emergency announcements where newspapers would be too slow compared to instant online updates. The arguments are extended effectively, covering both the temporal convenience of news and the financial barriers of physical books. The response meets all criteria for a Band 7.0 by maintaining a clear progression and fully supporting the central stance with sound reasoning and appropriate examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's position, followed by body paragraphs focusing on convenience and financial factors respectively, and concluding neatly. Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'However', 'Moreover', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is managed sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing and linking words are generally natural, there is occasional minor mechanical usage, which keeps the response at a Band 7.0 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for flexibility and precision with terms like 'circulation', 'financial barriers', and 'rapid circulation'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary items such as 'subsequent' or phrase equivalents, and general collocation is fairly natural. Although there are some minor word-choice tendencies and repetitive structures like 'online platforms' and 'newspapers and books', the vocabulary used is adequate to convey precise meanings without impeding communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptors, specifically meriting a Band 7.0 due to the effective handling of topic-specific lexis.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer employs a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional and temporal subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If an event occurs in any part of the world, people must wait...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor slips occur occasionally, but they never impede communication or obscure the writer's meaning. The balance of simple and complex forms is well-executed, satisfying the criteria for Band 7.0 where good control and frequent error-free sentences are demonstrated.

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