Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

It is argued that, in the future, people will no longer purchase printed newspapers or books because they will be able to access all the information they need online free of charge. I largely agree with this view because digital content is becoming more accessible and considerably cheaper to produce and distribute than printed material.

One major reason why printed newspapers and books may become less popular is their relatively high production cost. Printing companies have to pay for paper, ink, printing equipment, transportation and physical distribution, which makes printed material more expensive to produce and purchase. For some households, buying newspapers or books regularly can therefore become a financial burden. By contrast, many digital publications are available at little or no cost, allowing readers to access a large amount of information without paying for a physical copy. As a result, consumers may increasingly choose online alternatives instead of purchasing printed material.

Another important factor is the greater accessibility of digital content. In the past, finding a particular book or newspaper could require considerable time and effort, especially if it was not available in a nearby library or shop. Nowadays, however, people can search for and access information almost instantly through the internet. For example, major news organizations such as the BBC and CNN provide extensive online content, allowing readers to access news without purchasing a physical newspaper. This convenience is likely to encourage more people to consume digital rather than printed content.

In conclusion, I agree that printed newspapers and books are likely to become much less common in the future because digital content is cheaper and considerably easier to access. However, printed material may not disappear completely, as some people will continue to prefer physical books and newspapers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task with a clear position throughout, earning a solid rating. The writer presents a well-formulated stance, stating, 'I largely agree with this view because digital content is becoming more accessible and considerably cheaper to produce and distribute than printed material.' Ideas are extended and supported effectively, such as contrasting the high production cost of physical books—paying for paper, ink, and transportation—with the low cost of digital alternatives. However, there is a slight tendency to overgeneralise certain aspects regarding the absolute disappearance or free nature of online information, which keeps the response at this level. To reach a higher tier, the ideas could be developed with even greater depth and nuance, perhaps by exploring specific economic models of subscription services versus ad-supported digital journalism rather than relying on broader generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from production costs in the second paragraph to digital accessibility in the third, introduced effectively with transitional markers like 'One major reason' and 'Another important factor'. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, such as 'By contrast', 'As a result', and 'Nowadays', ensuring seamless flow between sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, framing the introduction, two body paragraphs, and conclusion logically. To achieve an even higher mark, referencing could be made slightly more subtle and the logical bridges between paragraphs could demonstrate an even tighter, more sophisticated level of cohesion without relying on standard signposting phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully demonstrating awareness of style and collocation with phrases such as 'financial burden', 'digital publications', and 'major news organizations'. Less common lexical items are attempted appropriately, such as 'distribution', 'alternatives', and 'convenience'. Word choices are generally natural and appropriate for an academic context, and spelling and word formation are accurate throughout. Occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice prevent a higher score; for instance, while the vocabulary is adequate and clear, it occasionally stops short of the wider, highly fluent range and skilful use of uncommon idiomatic or stylistic items required for the next tier. Continued exposure to advanced academic reading will help integrate even more precise phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

A variety of complex structures is successfully employed, including conditional and participial clauses such as 'allowing readers to access a large amount of information without paying for a physical copy' and 'especially if it was not available in a nearby library or shop.' The response contains frequent error-free sentences, showing good overall control of grammar and punctuation. Verb forms, tense consistency, and subject-verb agreement are managed accurately across complex sentence forms. A few minor slips persist, but they never impede communication. To push further into the highest band, the writer would need to incorporate a wider repertoire of sophisticated syntactic structures with complete consistency, ensuring that virtually all complex sentences are completely error-free.

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