Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-29
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)
With the rapid development of technology, most people like to read magazines and newspapers online in this way, but some people believe that, with the passage of time, printed newspapers and books are disappearing. I completely disagree with this point of view now that online reading is very popular, but print materials will become unavailable.
On the one hand, there are several reasons to read newspapers online because it is budget-friendly and easy to take wherever it is needed. Most of the people like to read newspapers or books on phones, tablets, and laptops. In addition, they can provide updates about current affairs and provide information about what is currently happening in our country. In this way, online learning is very popular among people who can have a job and continue their studies, and the information on the internet will increase in the future.
However, printed newspapers and books will not be obsolete in the future; some people like to read printed books because the physical thing can help them to feel comfortable and also benefit people who do not like to watch the screen for a long time. On the other hand, not all online content is free for everyone; special material has high charges
In my opinion, the digital development of technology can change the way of learning; usually, people like to read online books. I agree to buy printed books has decreased significantly.
In conclusion, online learning can expand day by day, and it will not stop the purchase of printed books. The publishers will know the importance of readers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student addresses the prompt by expressing a clear position of complete disagreement with the statement that printed books and newspapers will disappear and be entirely free online. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For example, the writer mentions that online reading is budget-friendly and convenient, and later touches upon financial barriers such as high charges for special materials, but these points are not fully extended or supported with robust examples. The conclusion slightly contradicts the body by introducing ideas about online learning rather than strictly focusing on reading habits. While all parts of the task are addressed, the depth of discussion places this response at a Band 5.5 to 6.0 level. Because the core position is clear and the arguments are relevant, a score of 6.0 is awarded.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a recognisable introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is attempted, though some paragraphs mix distinct ideas, such as combining screen fatigue and paid online content in the same paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes mechanically or awkwardly, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and repetitive uses of 'On the other hand'. The logical progression is occasionally disrupted by abrupt transitions between sentences, such as moving from current affairs to online learning for people with jobs in the second paragraph. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between ideas could be smoother. This level of cohesive control and paragraphing aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'budget-friendly', 'current affairs', 'obsolete', and 'purchase'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, the phrase 'the physical thing can help them to feel comfortable' is rather basic and imprecise, and 'online learning' is used when the prompt specifically concerns reading. Furthermore, there is an incomplete thought in the sentence 'special material has high charges', which affects clarity. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main arguments, these lexical inadequacies and occasional errors prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Therefore, a score of 5.5 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some ambition with structures such as 'with the rapid development of technology' and concessive clauses introduced by 'although' or 'while'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several run-on sentences and punctuation errors, particularly in the introduction and concluding sections, where clauses are linked without proper punctuation or conjunctions (e.g., 'I completely disagree with this point of view now that online reading is very popular, but print materials will become unavailable' creates a contradictory meaning). Other errors include awkward phrasing and minor tense shifts. Because the errors occur frequently enough to occasionally cause confusion for the reader, but communication is still achieved, a band score of 5.0 is warranted.
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