Newspapers and books are outdated. Why do some people believe this? What is your opinion?
Sample Response
Many people think that printed newspapers and books are outdated these days, as they believe that online news and electronic books are more relevant and updated to the current condition. The two types have their own benefits and it will depend on the preference of each individual, and the following essay will discuss them in details. On the one hand, it is true that hardcopy versions of newspapers and books are outdated compared to online versions. The online newspaper or book can be immediately updated or revised by their editors from their servers, therefore readers will always get the latest news. And then, it is easier to purchase online literature as people would just open their gadgets, log in and insert their credit card numbers, and they could get new articles. On the other hand, although several people think that printed media are old fashioned, but certain people prefer to buy these outdated versions. Firstly, they believe that reading print out versions is better that online ones because they have fewer side effects to the eyes. They think that reading books using gadgets will have negative effects on their visual, as these devices are producing some radiations which could irritate the eyesight. Secondly, a lot of people prefer to buy the hardcopy version, because they like to collect them. Many people are collecting print out versions of comics because it is their hobby and they have certain kind of satisfactions when they could keep them for collections. In conclusion, it is a fact that more and more people are reading online newspapers and books these days, but some people still choose to read the print out version. These two versions have their own advantages, so in my opinion people should choose in accordance to their passion. But the most important thing is that no matter what the type is, people should not stop reading, as reading give a lot of benefits for their readers.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use the fixed expression Original: details Suggested revision: detail Why it matters: The fixed expression uses the singular noun ‘detail’.
- 2. Use a natural term Original: hardcopy Suggested revision: printed Why it matters: ‘Printed versions’ is the more natural phrase in this context.
- 3. Use the generic article Original: The Suggested revision: An Why it matters: A singular generic example requires the indefinite article.
- 4. Match the singular subject Original: their editors from their servers Suggested revision: its editors from its servers Why it matters: The pronouns must agree with the singular subject ‘newspaper or book’.
- 5. Use formal progression Original: And then Suggested revision: Furthermore Why it matters: This connector signals an additional benefit more clearly.
- 6. Choose accurate wording Original: would just open their gadgets Suggested revision: can simply use their devices Why it matters: People use devices rather than open gadgets to make an online purchase.
- 7. Use the correct collocation Original: insert Suggested revision: enter Why it matters: ‘Enter’ is the standard verb for supplying payment details.
- 8. Use the correct form Original: reading print out versions Suggested revision: reading printed versions Why it matters: ‘Printed’ is the appropriate adjective for physical publications.
- 9. Correct the comparison Original: that Suggested revision: than Why it matters: Comparative structures use ‘than’, not ‘that’.
- 10. Improve the collocation Original: fewer side effects to the eyes Suggested revision: fewer harmful effects on the eyes Why it matters: Effects are described as being ‘on’ the eyes in this context.
- 11. Use the correct noun Original: visual Suggested revision: vision Why it matters: ‘Vision’ is the noun needed for the ability to see.
- 12. Fix tense and countability Original: are producing some radiations Suggested revision: produce radiation Why it matters: A general claim takes the simple present, and ‘radiation’ is uncountable here.
Suggested Rewrites
- details detail
- hardcopy printed
- The An
- their editors from their servers its editors from its servers
- And then Furthermore
- would just open their gadgets can simply use their devices
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response answers both questions and offers understandable reasons for the appeal of digital media as well as continued preferences for print. However, the opinion is rather general, development becomes repetitive, and the absence of effective paragraphing combines with frequent grammar and collocation errors. The highest-priority improvement is to organise the response into clear paragraphs and develop a precise personal position with better-controlled language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions are addressed, but the personal opinion is broad and some supporting ideas are insufficiently developed or only loosely relevant.
State a sharper opinion and explain why one format, or a defined combination of both, is preferable in specific circumstances.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument has a discernible sequence, but it is presented as one long paragraph and relies heavily on mechanical signposting.
Separate the introduction, main ideas, and conclusion into purposeful paragraphs with clearer internal progression.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is adequate for the topic and includes some less common items, but frequent awkward collocations reduce precision.
Use natural combinations such as “visual health,” “radiation,” and “according to their preferences,” while avoiding unnecessary repetition.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences communicates the main ideas, although agreement, article, comparison, and clause errors recur.
Prioritise accurate clause construction, especially avoiding double connectors such as “although ... but” and checking subject-verb agreement.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Newspapers and books are outdated. Why do some people believe this? What is your opinion?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.