Libraries should focus on improving their technological resources rather than building a large collection of printed books. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
Libraries have long been revered as repositories of knowledge, providing access to a wide range of printed books. However, with the rise of digital technology, there is a growing debate about whether libraries should prioritise improving their technological resources over building extensive collections of printed books. This essay will argue against this view, asserting that while technological resources are important, libraries should continue to value and invest in physical books.
Printed books have stood the test of time and remain a vital part of our cultural heritage. They offer a tangible and immersive reading experience that cannot be replicated by digital formats. For many people, the smell, feel, and weight of a book contribute to the joy of reading and enhance the overall reading experience. Moreover, printed books serve as historical artifacts and cultural symbols, preserving the wisdom and creativity of previous generations. For instance, consider rare manuscripts or first editions of literary classics found in prestigious libraries around the world. These valuable and often fragile books not only hold literary significance but also serve as a source of inspiration for researchers, scholars, and book lovers.
While technology plays a crucial role in modern society, relying solely on technological resources in libraries can have limitations and potential drawbacks. Firstly, digital resources are subject to technological advancements and obsolescence. As technology rapidly evolves, formats and platforms change, rendering certain digital resources inaccessible or incompatible with newer systems. This poses a risk of losing valuable information and resources over time. Furthermore, access to technology is not universal. Many communities, particularly in developing regions or rural areas, still face limited internet connectivity and lack the necessary devices to access digital resources. By prioritizing technology, libraries risk creating a digital divide, excluding those who do not have access to or familiarity with digital platforms.
In conclusion, while technological resources have their place in libraries, focusing solely on improving technology at the expense of building large collections of printed books would be a mistake. Printed books offer enduring value, cultural significance, and a unique reading experience. Moreover, relying too heavily on technology can lead to limitations and potential drawbacks, such as obsolescence and unequal access.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural collocation Original: prioritise improving their technological resources Suggested revision: prioritise investment in their technological resources Why it matters: The noun phrase is more natural and concise than 'prioritise improving'.
- 2. Improve parallel structure Original: value and invest in physical books Suggested revision: value physical books and continue investing in them Why it matters: This revision gives each coordinated verb a clear and natural complement.
- 3. Avoid repeated wording Original: contribute to the joy of reading and enhance the overall reading experience Suggested revision: make reading more enjoyable and engaging Why it matters: The revision avoids repeating 'reading' and 'experience' while preserving the meaning.
- 4. Keep spelling consistent Original: artifacts Suggested revision: artefacts Why it matters: British spelling would be consistent with 'prioritise' elsewhere in the response.
- 5. Clarify the pairing Original: technological advancements and obsolescence Suggested revision: rapid technological change and obsolescence Why it matters: Resources are subject to technological change rather than to advancements themselves.
- 6. Name the agent Original: This poses a risk of losing Suggested revision: This creates a risk that libraries may lose Why it matters: The revised clause makes clear who could lose the information and resources.
- 7. Improve coordination Original: do not have access to or familiarity with digital platforms Suggested revision: lack access to digital platforms or familiarity with them Why it matters: The revision coordinates the two noun phrases more clearly.
- 8. Use precise phrasing Original: have their place in libraries Suggested revision: play an important role in libraries Why it matters: This wording states the value of technology more directly.
- 9. Remove redundancy Original: can have limitations and potential drawbacks Suggested revision: can create significant drawbacks Why it matters: 'Limitations' and 'drawbacks' convey nearly the same idea here.
- 10. Clarify the contrast Original: at the expense of building large collections Suggested revision: while neglecting large collections Why it matters: The revision expresses the contrast more directly and compactly.
Suggested Rewrites
- prioritise improving their technological resources prioritise investment in their technological resources
- value and invest in physical books value physical books and continue investing in them
- contribute to the joy of reading and enhance the overall reading experience make reading more enjoyable and engaging
- artifacts artefacts
- technological advancements and obsolescence rapid technological change and obsolescence
- This poses a risk of losing This creates a risk that libraries may lose
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response presents a clear, consistent position and develops it through well-chosen arguments about cultural value, reading experience, obsolescence, and unequal access. Its main limitation is that the opposing case for technological investment is acknowledged only briefly, which reduces the depth of evaluation. The highest-priority improvement is to engage more directly with the benefits of technology before explaining why a balanced investment strategy remains preferable.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position is direct and fully maintained, with relevant, well-developed reasons and examples addressing the proposed priority for technology.
Develop the concession about technological benefits more fully so the rejection of the proposed priority is even more critically balanced.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through a clear introduction, focused body paragraphs, and a conclusion that accurately consolidates the argument.
Vary a few predictable linking patterns and tighten repeated references to value and resources for an even more seamless progression.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion, including effective terms such as cultural heritage, obsolescence, and digital divide.
Reduce occasional repetition of key nouns such as resources, technology, and books by using more context-sensitive reformulation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses a broad range of complex structures accurately, with strong control of sentence boundaries, agreement, and punctuation.
Refine a few long sentences by varying their internal structure so the grammatical range feels still more natural and economical.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Libraries should focus on improving their technological resources rather than building a large collection of printed books. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.