Some people think that books are losing importance as a source of information and knowledge due to the increasing popularity of the Internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
Many argue that books seem to be losing their significance as a useful source of information and knowledge in the epoch of the internet’s popularity. I disagree with this opinion and believe that the Internet never supersedes books because they are the authentic source of information and also structured in a specific way offering coherent arguments.
The main reason why the Internet cannot take the place of books is because of the editorial process maintained by publishers. Publishers usually go through a rigorous process such as proofreading, fact-checking, and peer review by experts working in the same subject area. Publishers, in fact, have set standards for authenticity and accuracy. In scientific disciplines, for example, research findings are usually reviewed by qualified experts on the subject first and then published in books. This strict procedure helps to validate the credibility of the knowledge presented. On the other hand, anyone can publish anything in this era of Web 2.0 on the Internet. Thus any information found on the Internet is not accurate and could often be misleading if not taken from authoritative sources.
Another compelling reason why physical books hold the capacity to retain their importance is that they provide readers with comprehensive coverage and in-depth analysis. Printed books allow authors to present complex topics in an organized and structured way so that readers can follow a clear learning path, thereby building knowledge systematically. A case in point is academic textbooks. These books offer learners information in a coherent manner that allows them to build their knowledge from the bottom up, thus providing a better learning tool to fully grasp the concepts.
To conclude, I believe that physical books cannot be superseded by the Internet because these books are published through a rigorous editorial process to ensure the credibility of the information presented and also offer information in a systemic structure so that readers can more easily grasp the concepts.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural modern phrasing Original: in the epoch of the internet’s popularity Suggested revision: in an era of widespread Internet use Why it matters: The replacement expresses the same time context more naturally and precisely.
- 2. Match the stated belief Original: never supersedes books Suggested revision: cannot supersede books Why it matters: After "believe," the modal form expresses the general claim more naturally than the simple present.
- 3. Match the plural subject Original: the authentic source Suggested revision: authentic sources Why it matters: The plural pronoun "they" refers to books and therefore requires a plural complement.
- 4. Avoid reason-because redundancy Original: is because of the editorial process Suggested revision: is the editorial process Why it matters: Using both "the reason" and "because" creates a redundant construction.
- 5. Introduce process components Original: a rigorous process such as proofreading Suggested revision: a rigorous process involving proofreading Why it matters: "Involving" correctly introduces steps that form part of the editorial process.
- 6. Remove redundant wording Original: Web 2.0 on the Internet Suggested revision: Web 2.0 Why it matters: The reference to the Internet is already contained in the term "Web 2.0".
- 7. Avoid an absolute claim Original: Thus any information found on the Internet is not accurate Suggested revision: Thus, information found on the Internet may not be accurate Why it matters: The modal wording preserves the caution while avoiding an unnecessarily absolute formulation.
- 8. Use a concise verb Original: hold the capacity to retain Suggested revision: can retain Why it matters: The modal verb conveys the same meaning without an inflated expression.
- 9. Use the standard collocation Original: offer learners information Suggested revision: provide learners with information Why it matters: "Provide someone with something" is the natural collocation in this context.
- 10. Clarify the result Original: thus providing a better learning tool Suggested revision: thus making them better learning tools Why it matters: The plural pronoun clearly refers back to textbooks and makes the result grammatically complete.
- 11. Choose the correct adjective Original: systemic Suggested revision: systematic Why it matters: "Systematic" means methodically organized, whereas "systemic" refers to an entire system.
Suggested Rewrites
- in the epoch of the internet’s popularity in an era of widespread Internet use
- never supersedes books cannot supersede books
- the authentic source authentic sources
- is because of the editorial process is the editorial process
- a rigorous process such as proofreading a rigorous process involving proofreading
- Web 2.0 on the Internet Web 2.0
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay presents a clear disagreement and develops two well-focused reasons through relevant explanation and examples, with strong paragraphing and generally precise language. Its main limitation is that a few claims about online information are overly absolute, and some expressions are slightly unnatural. The highest-priority improvement is to qualify the comparison by acknowledging reliable online sources while explaining why edited books still retain distinctive value.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is sustained throughout and supported by two well-developed, relevant lines of argument.
Add a brief qualification about credible online sources to make the evaluation more nuanced and convincing.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced into focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly without noticeable overuse.
Make the contrast within the first body paragraph slightly tighter by linking the reliability comparison directly to the central claim.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective academic phrasing despite a few awkward or overly absolute expressions.
Refine combinations such as the description of the Internet's popularity and use qualified language when discussing online accuracy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with only occasional minor problems in parallelism or verb choice.
Check parallel structures in the thesis so that both reasons follow the same grammatical pattern.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that books are losing importance as a source of information and knowledge due to the increasing popularity of the Internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.