Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspaper will remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
The Internet is beginning to rival newspapers as the best place to find information about what is happening in the world. I believe that this trend will continue, and the Internet will soon be just as important as the traditional ones.
On the one hand, I believe that newspapers will continue to be a vital source of information, even in the Internet age. Firstly, newspapers are the most traditional means of communicating the news, and not everyone wants to or is able to use the Internet instead. For example, old people or those in rural areas might not have the ability of opportunity to get online, while many of us simply prefer newspapers even if we do have Internet access. Secondly, newspapers can be trusted as reliable sources of news because they employ professional journalists and editors. Finally, many people like the experience of holding and reading a paper rather than looking at a computer screen.
However, the Internet is likely to become just as popular as newspapers for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that it allows us much faster access to news in real time and wherever we are, on different gadgets and mobile devices. Another key benefit of online news compared to newspapers is the ability to share articles, discuss them with other people, give our views, and even contribute with our own updates on social media. For example, there has been an explosion in the use of platforms like Twitter and YouTube where anyone can share their news and views. A final point is that this source of news is less damaging to the environment.
In conclusion, I disagree with the view that newspapers will continue to be the main source of news, because I believe that the Internet will soon be equally important.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Clarify pronoun reference Original: ones Suggested revision: newspapers Why it matters: The noun should be stated because 'ones' has no clear matching plural noun in this comparison.
- 2. Use neutral wording Original: old Suggested revision: older Why it matters: 'Older people' is the more neutral and conventional expression.
- 3. Fix coordination error Original: of Suggested revision: or Why it matters: The two alternative nouns must be joined with 'or', not 'of'.
- 4. Maintain formal reference Original: many of us Suggested revision: many people Why it matters: An impersonal reference maintains the essay's formal, general perspective.
- 5. State preference directly Original: like the experience of holding and reading Suggested revision: prefer holding and reading Why it matters: The concise verb 'prefer' creates a clearer comparison with screen reading.
- 6. Improve verb collocation Original: allows Suggested revision: gives Why it matters: 'Gives us access' is a more natural collocation in this sentence.
- 7. Remove category overlap Original: gadgets and mobile devices Suggested revision: mobile devices Why it matters: The two terms overlap, so one precise category is sufficient.
- 8. Remove incorrect preposition Original: contribute with our own updates Suggested revision: contribute our own updates Why it matters: 'Contribute' takes a direct object when it means supplying content.
- 9. Use formal example marker Original: platforms like Suggested revision: platforms such as Why it matters: 'Such as' introduces examples more formally in academic writing.
- 10. Remove unnecessary comma Original: news, because Suggested revision: news because Why it matters: A comma is unnecessary before the dependent reason clause in this sentence.
Suggested Rewrites
- ones newspapers
- old older
- of or
- many of us many people
- like the experience of holding and reading prefer holding and reading
- allows gives
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is especially strong in its clear position, balanced reasoning, and smooth progression from newspapers' continuing strengths to the Internet's advantages. The main limitation is a small number of awkward or inaccurate phrases, alongside a briefly asserted environmental point. Prioritise polishing lexical precision and either develop the final supporting point or omit it so every reason is equally convincing.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The question is answered directly with a consistent position and several relevant, well-supported reasons.
Explain the environmental benefit briefly so the final supporting point is as fully developed as the others.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is logically organised, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly through the contrasting arguments.
Vary the enumerating language slightly to make the already clear progression feel even less signposted.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with only a few awkward combinations and imprecise references.
Correct combinations such as ability of opportunity and contribute with to achieve consistently natural word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence forms is handled accurately, with only rare local lapses that do not affect clarity.
Check pronoun reference and coordination carefully to eliminate the few remaining structural inaccuracies.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspaper will remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.