Do you think that modern technology, such as the internet and computers will ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?

Same questionCompare 11 different answers (Band 5.5–7)

Sample Response

1

Technology and technological inventions appear in different forms. Some parts of it affect human life as a wholethe entire human lives and some parts of it function just for a short period of time for some particular regions or groups of peopleselected part of the world or population. One of the distinctive formsshapes of technology is the internet and computers, which alter our lifestylethe Internet and computers by which our lifestyle is altered every year. Furthermore, it affects our sources of knowledgeeffectuates our source of knowledge. For centuries, people mainly read booksIn centuries we just read books to obtain knowledge but computers, especially in recent years, have changed our viewpoints. As a direct result of advanced technology, our lives have become more comfortableour life became more comfortable than ever before. It is true for every aspect; even reading books and articles and gathering knowledge. Different capabilities of electronic books and websites are tempting enough to start using this technologycommence utilising this technology as soon as possible. For example, the ability to search online and getgetting necessary information promptly has revolutionised the way we look for something and the way we find the sources of information. Furthermore, the capacity of storing a great number of books on a nail-sized chipjust on the nail-sized chip has turned many large libraries into online collectionshas replaced the multistoried library into their online edition. In addition, the cost of reading will reduce due to not making use of physical paper. Along those benefits, we are capable of bringing e-books everywhere we go and this opportunity of portability is unique throughout the history of mankind. However, there is a widespread belief that making use of computers in every part of our life is abominable and leads to alienation. Also sometimes the cost of generating e-books is higher than physical books. Moreover, the wasting of energy for storing virtual books on servers is noticeable. To sum up, it can be argued that the merits of e-books outweigh theirits drawbacks and yet we should consider negative aspects and attempt to eliminate them.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 6.5

The response presents a clear position and supports it with relevant examples about searching, storage, cost, and portability. Its main weakness is that it drifts from the specific question of replacement into a broader comparison of e-books' merits and drawbacks, while one-block organisation and recurring language errors reduce precision. Prioritise a direct answer about whether printed books will be replaced, then organise each paragraph around that claim.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.0
Scoring rule

The response answers the question and gives a relevant position that electronic books and online sources have more advantages than drawbacks. Development is generally relevant, with examples about search, storage, cost, and portability, but the answer shifts from whether technology will replace books to a broader merits-versus-drawbacks discussion.

Next step

State directly whether books will be replaced as the main source of information, then make each body point explain that replacement rather than only listing benefits of e-books.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

Ideas follow a recognisable order from background to benefits, drawbacks, and conclusion, but the essay is presented as one block and contains several abrupt links. Cohesion relies heavily on additive connectors such as furthermore and in addition.

Next step

Use clear paragraphs for introduction, digital advantages, limitations, and conclusion, with topic sentences that show the role of each stage in the argument.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is fairly wide and sometimes precise, such as portability, alienation, and virtual books, but there are unnatural collocations and word choices that reduce control.

Next step

Keep the strong topic vocabulary but replace awkward phrases with natural academic collocations such as forms of technology, sources of knowledge, digital libraries, and printed books.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

6.5
Scoring rule

The essay uses complex structures, but errors with articles, tense, prepositions, agreement, and noun forms occur regularly. Meaning remains clear, though some sentences become heavy and imprecise.

Next step

Edit long sentences for subject-verb agreement and article use, especially around technology, books, information, and e-books.

Put the feedback to work

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

Do you think that modern technology, such as the internet and computers will ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?

Your response

Words0
40:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.