Do you think that modern technology, such as the internet and computers will ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?
Sample Response
It is certainly true that these days, as technology advances, we are definitely drifting further towards the internet for our research needs. But I think that computer technology will never ever be a replacement of books and written information because they are the main tools used for our reference purposes and education. It is true that as technology advances and the net becomes more and more efficient; it is gaining a reputation for being the first and sometimes the only source to go when we need to search a subject. However, as the web has a large base of information, locating exactly what we need is sometimes quite a trying task. In some instances, we find that it probably would have been easier to have gone to the library and used a book. Another problem we are faced with while searching online is whether or not the information is correct. We sometimes can be deceived by information on a website and be unaware that what we are writing down is incorrect. So books will never ever be replaced even if there are lots of people using the cyberspace. This is due to the fact that books are the main tool of education and are commonly used for our leisure time. In fact, books have been with us for many thousands of years and usually used for our enjoyment purposes. For instance, reading stories in books is an ancient pastime, and although the variety of activities can undertake in our spare time has increased dramatically over the years, it is still quite common to read books. Of course, they are not only used for our pastimes, but for our studies too. They play a major part in our primary, secondary and in tertiary education. In conclusion, I think that as computer age takes over, we may use books less, especially for information purposes. However, books as we know them will not disappear; they will never ever be replaced by the information in the screen because they are used in our leisure time and the main tool for our education.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct collocation Original: replacement of books Suggested revision: replacement for books Why it matters: Use "replacement for" when one thing substitutes for another.
- 2. Use comma Original: the net becomes more and more efficient; Suggested revision: the net becomes more and more efficient, Why it matters: A semicolon is not suitable before this dependent continuation.
- 3. Natural phrase Original: source to go when Suggested revision: source to go to when Why it matters: The phrase needs the preposition "to."
- 4. Correct phrase Original: search a subject Suggested revision: research a subject Why it matters: "Research" is the better verb for studying a subject.
- 5. More precise phrase Original: be deceived by information Suggested revision: be misled by information Why it matters: "Misled" is more natural for inaccurate online information.
- 6. Modern wording Original: using the cyberspace Suggested revision: using the internet Why it matters: "Cyberspace" sounds dated and takes no article in most uses.
- 7. Article error Original: main tool of education Suggested revision: main tool for education Why it matters: This is the natural prepositional phrase.
- 8. Concise phrase Original: used for our enjoyment purposes Suggested revision: used for enjoyment Why it matters: The added possessive and plural noun are unnecessary.
- 9. Missing subject Original: the variety of activities can undertake Suggested revision: the variety of activities people can undertake Why it matters: The verb "undertake" needs a subject.
- 10. Parallel preposition Original: in tertiary education Suggested revision: tertiary education Why it matters: Remove "in" after a list already governed by "in our."
- 11. Missing article Original: as computer age takes over Suggested revision: as the computer age takes over Why it matters: The singular noun phrase needs an article.
- 12. Correct preposition Original: information in the screen Suggested revision: information on the screen Why it matters: Information appears "on" a screen.
Suggested Rewrites
- replacement of books replacement for books
- the net becomes more and more efficient; the net becomes more and more efficient,
- source to go when source to go to when
- search a subject research a subject
- be deceived by information be misled by information
- using the cyberspace using the internet
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The response clearly argues that books will not be replaced and supports this with points about reliability, education, and leisure. The position is relevant, though the argument is repetitive and does not fully consider how technology may become the main source for some uses.
Add a concession explaining where the internet may replace books for quick information, then explain why books remain important overall.
Coherence and Cohesion
The progression is understandable, but the essay is one long paragraph and contains repeated claims about books never being replaced.
Use separate paragraphs for online information, reliability, educational use, and conclusion to improve readability.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is adequate and sometimes effective, but there is repetition and some unnatural collocation.
Replace repeated phrases such as "never ever" and use precise terms like "printed books," "digital sources," and "reliable references."
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar is generally clear, but long sentences, article errors, and preposition errors appear throughout.
Shorten long sentences and check prepositions after common nouns such as "replacement," "source," and "information."