Sample response & feedback

Future of Printed Newspapers and Books

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?

Annotated response

11 correction notes

Showing 11 correction notes.

The emergence of the digital age has revolutionized the way we consume information, leading to the widespread belief that printed newspapers and books . Some argue that with the increasing accessibility of free online content, there will be no need to pay for physical copies of newspapers or books. However, I strongly disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, while it is true that digital media has significantly impacted the publishing industry, it has not completely replaced the traditional print format. Many readers still prefer the tangible experience of reading a physical book or newspaper, which cannot be replicated by digital media. Furthermore, physical copies are not reliant on internet access or power sources, making them in areas with poor connectivity.

Secondly, the value of printed materials extends beyond their content. Books, in particular, have that cannot be replaced by digital media. For many, the act of holding a physical book, flipping through its pages and smelling the ink and paper is an integral part of the reading experience. Printed books are often collected and passed down through generations, becoming cherished family heirlooms.

Lastly, the belief that online content is entirely free is a misconception. While it may be true that many websites offer free content, quality journalism and writing still come at a cost. Journalists and writers require fair compensation for their work, and without revenue from paid subscriptions, the quality of online content may suffer. This is why all online content will be free is a misguided concept.

In conclusion, while it is true that technology has made it easier to access information online, the demise of printed newspapers and books is not imminent. Physical books and newspapers will continue to hold a special place in people's hearts, and the tactile experience of reading a physical book or newspaper cannot be replaced.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The strongest aspect is the clear, consistently maintained disagreement with the prompt, supported by three well-developed arguments covering reader preference, sentimental value, and the misconception of free content. The main limitation is a degree of repetition, particularly the frequent reiteration that digital media cannot replace print, which slightly limits the depth of idea development.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

TR Task Response

7.5

The response presents a clear position of strong disagreement, develops three relevant main ideas with explanation, and reaches a consistent conclusion, though support remains somewhat general rather than richly extended.

CC Coherence and Cohesion

7.0

Ideas are logically organized into clear paragraphs with cohesive devices used naturally, although some referencing and repetition across paragraphs slightly reduce the sense of continuous progression.

LR Lexical Resource

7.5

Vocabulary is flexible and precise, with natural collocations such as 'tangible experience,' 'fair compensation,' and 'cherished family heirlooms,' with only minor reliance on repeated phrasing.

GRA Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.5

A wide range of complex structures is used with strong control, including relative and concessive clauses and varied sentence openings. Errors are rare, although the final sentence about free online content has a faulty embedded-clause structure.