The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books, and they should not waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
Public libraries are a vital resource in any community, providing access to books, magazines and other educative materials. Some argue that libraries should focus solely on their primary function of providing books and not invest in expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos, and DVDs. I fully agree with the view that libraries should not waste their limited resources and space on these modern technologies.
Firstly, it is important to recognize that public libraries have limited resources and space. Their budgets come from public funds, and therefore they must use these resources in the most efficient way possible. Investing in expensive hi-tech media may not be the most efficient use of these limited resources as they may not be used by many people. This could lead to a situation where a library has invested a significant portion of its budget in hi-tech media that few people use, leaving the library unable to purchase the books that patrons need.
Moreover, public libraries are primarily intended for reading and learning, and it is important that they remain committed to this primary function. Providing hi-tech media such as DVDs and computer software may be entertaining, but it does not promote the same intellectual development and critical thinking skills that reading does. The primary function of public libraries is to promote literacy and education, and they should focus on this core mission.
In conclusion, while some may argue that public libraries should invest in expensive hi-tech media, I fully agree that libraries should not waste their limited resources and space on these modern technologies. Public libraries are primarily intended to provide books and promote literacy and education, and it is important that they focus on this core mission.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use common collocation Original: educative Suggested revision: educational Why it matters: Educational materials is the more conventional phrase in this context.
- 2. Express funding directly Original: Their budgets come from public funds Suggested revision: They are funded by the public Why it matters: The replacement states the source of funding more directly and naturally.
- 3. Make wording concise Original: in the most efficient way possible Suggested revision: as efficiently as possible Why it matters: The adverbial form conveys the same meaning more concisely.
- 4. Tighten the link Original: could lead to a situation where Suggested revision: could mean that Why it matters: The shorter link makes the cause-and-effect relationship more direct.
- 5. Use concise wording Original: purchase the books that patrons need Suggested revision: buy the books patrons need Why it matters: The revision removes unnecessary formality and a dispensable relative marker.
- 6. Avoid repeated phrasing Original: remain committed to this primary function Suggested revision: remain focused on this core purpose Why it matters: This wording reduces repetition of primary function while preserving the meaning.
- 7. Vary repeated wording Original: The primary function of public libraries Suggested revision: The core purpose of public libraries Why it matters: The replacement avoids repeating primary function in the same paragraph.
- 8. Sentence rewrite Original: Investing in expensive hi-tech media may not be the most efficient use of these limited resources as they may not be used by many people. Suggested revision: Investing in expensive high-tech media may be an inefficient use of limited resources because relatively few people may use it. Why it matters: The rewrite removes repetition and clarifies the ambiguous pronoun they.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: Providing hi-tech media such as DVDs and computer software may be entertaining, but it does not promote the same intellectual development and critical thinking skills that reading does. Suggested revision: Providing high-tech media such as DVDs and computer software may be entertaining, but it does not promote intellectual development and critical-thinking skills to the same extent as reading. Why it matters: The rewrite creates a grammatically complete comparison between the effects of digital media and reading.
- 10. Reduce repeated framing Suggested revision: State the library’s core educational purpose once, then develop the comparison with digital media without restating the same point. Why it matters: The first and third sentences repeat the paragraph’s main claim and slow its progression.
Suggested Rewrites
- educative educational
- Their budgets come from public funds They are funded by the public
- in the most efficient way possible as efficiently as possible
- could lead to a situation where could mean that
- purchase the books that patrons need buy the books patrons need
- remain committed to this primary function remain focused on this core purpose
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response presents a clear position and follows a logical structure, with two relevant reasons that are easy to understand. Its main limitation is that the argument remains fairly general and repetitive, particularly in asserting that digital media is little used and less educational without supporting or qualifying those claims. The highest-priority improvement is to develop each reason with a specific example or deeper explanation while reducing repeated task language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response fully addresses the question with a clear position and two relevant reasons, but development remains somewhat general.
Support the claims about usage and educational value with specific examples or more detailed causal explanation.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is logically organised and easy to follow, although repeated wording makes parts of the progression feel mechanical.
Vary the way ideas are linked and avoid restating the same core-mission point in successive paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is appropriate and sufficiently varied, but key phrases such as “limited resources” and “primary function” are overused.
Use more precise paraphrases and less repetition when referring to library priorities, funding, and digital materials.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sentence structures are varied and consistently well controlled, with errors rare and meaning always clear.
Refine occasional heavy coordination and ambiguous pronoun reference to make already accurate sentences more concise.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books, and they should not waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.