Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-01

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 7.0)

It is often argued that, in the future, people will stop buying printed newspapers and books because they can read everything online for free. I partly agree with this statement, because online reading is becoming more popular, but printed materials will still be useful to some people.

There are several reasons why online newspapers and books may become more common. First of all, reading online is convenient and cheap. People can use their mobile phones, tablets or computers to read news and books at any time and from any place. They do not need to carry heavy books or buy newspapers every day. Secondly, online information can be updated quickly. For example, news websites can publish information immediately after an important event, while printed newspapers usually provide information only once a day. In addition, many websites provide free articles and e-books, which can save people money.

However, I do not believe that printed newspapers and books will completely disappear. One important reason is that many people enjoy reading physical books. They may find it easier to concentrate when reading from paper because there are fewer distractions from notifications, social media and advertisements. Printed books are also useful for students because they can underline important information and make notes easily. Furthermore, some people, especially older people, may not be comfortable using digital devices. Therefore, they may continue to prefer newspapers and books in printed form.

In conclusion, I believe that online reading will become more popular because it is convenient, cheap and easy to access. Nevertheless, printed newspapers and books are unlikely to disappear completely because many people still prefer physical reading materials.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout: the writer partly agrees that online reading will take over while physical books and newspapers will retain their utility. The main ideas are well-selected and extended with relevant supporting details, such as the convenience of mobile devices, the speed of online updates, and the sensory and practical benefits of physical books for note-taking and older demographics. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise certain points, such as assuming that all websites provide free articles and e-books without qualification. To move closer to the top tier, the arguments could be pushed further by exploring deeper nuances regarding economic models of digital publishing or long-term cultural shifts, ensuring that every supporting point is thoroughly nuanced rather than relying on generalised assertions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from a balanced introduction to body paragraphs addressing the rise of digital reading and the enduring appeal of print, and concluding with a concise summary of the stance taken. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments, as seen with transitional phrases like 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is managed sufficiently and logically. To achieve an even higher standard, the essay could employ more sophisticated and less mechanical cohesive links, ensuring that cohesion remains entirely unobtrusive while maintaining the seamless flow between complex ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary demonstrated in the essay is adequate for the task, providing a sufficient range for some flexibility and precision. The writer successfully incorporates less common items and topic-specific vocabulary such as 'convenient', 'distractions', 'digital devices', and 'physical reading materials' with an appropriate awareness of style and collocation. However, the range remains somewhat safe and standard, occasionally lacking the higher-level lexical sophistication and idiomatic phrasing expected at higher bands. There are also occasional limitations in variety, with certain terms like 'information', 'books', and 'newspapers' repeated frequently. To reach a higher level, the writer should integrate more precise synonyms, sophisticated phrasing, and less common idiomatic expressions while maintaining precise word choice and collocation control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good control of grammar and punctuation, featuring a variety of complex structures alongside simple forms. Frequent error-free sentences are successfully produced, particularly when employing conditional and concessive clauses such as 'while printed newspapers usually provide information only once a day' and 'although online reading is becoming more popular'. Verb forms, tenses, articles, and prepositions are generally well managed with good accuracy throughout the text. The few minor errors that persist do not impede communication or obscure meaning. To attain an even higher standing, the writer could incorporate a wider variety of more intricate syntactic structures, such as inverted forms or advanced participial clauses, while sustaining a higher density of error-free sentences.

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