Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn about current events. However, others believe that they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Response
Many are of the view that news is best accessedreceived through traditional newspapers while others feel that modern media are preferablemore modern media is preferable. In my opinion, despite the better reading habits fostered by newspapersbetter habits engendered by reading the newspaper, it is impossible to argue convincingly against the convenience of newer mediamediums.
On the one hand, reading the newspaper allows for a healthy, distraction-free environment. This relates to both the content and the presentation of newspapers. Newspapers undergo rigorous editing and articles are necessarily published more slowly, allowing for better writing and fewer sensationalist headlines. An individual reading the newspaper can be compared to someone eating healthy foodfoods or doing exercise. Similarly, newspapers are not vulnerable to the wide array of potential distractions on digital devices. There is less chance that a newspaper readerThere is less chance a newspaper reader will be distracted by social media or their personal communications.
On the other hand, there isare a wide variety of functions available only throughfunctions only provided by more recent forms of media. Newspapers are primarily based on text, with images adding slight variety. In contrast, online media enables an individual to watch videos, listen to audio, cross-reference sources, consult primary sources, and generally take full advantage of the digital world. For example, a person who reads an article about a politician’s remarks can then lookcheck for the video in order to hear their words in context and later visit a site such as Twitter to analyze reactions from the general public, journalists, experts, and the politician. This information can then be easily shared through online messaging services or social media.
In conclusion, there are definite advantages to non-digital news sources; however, thesesources, however, these are overshadowed by the versatility of modern media. It is the duty of individuals to ensure they gain the benefitsensure they enjoy the positives without the drawbacks of spending too much time online.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response addresses both perspectives directly, sustains a clear preference, and develops its ideas through coherent comparisons and a specific example. Its main limitation is that the case for newspapers sometimes describes general reading conditions rather than demonstrating their superiority for learning current events, while a few lexical and punctuation choices lack precision. Prioritise sharper comparison of how each medium improves news understanding and polish the small remaining language lapses.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views and the writer's opinion are clearly addressed, with relevant ideas that are well extended and supported.
Link the distraction-free newspaper environment more explicitly to better understanding of current events.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced, clearly paragraphed, and cohesively connected without distracting overuse of linking language.
Tighten the final sentence so the conclusion ends on the central comparison rather than a broader caution about screen time.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and flexible, with effective language for discussing media features and news consumption.
Refine isolated choices such as the plural use of mediums and avoid slightly overstated descriptions where a more exact term would suffice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide variety of complex sentence forms is used accurately, and the few errors do not impede communication.
Review punctuation around conjunctive adverbs such as however to eliminate the occasional run-on structure.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn about current events. However, others believe that they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.