In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? : IELTS Writing Task 2

Bhargavee Sisodia

30 Jul 2024

In the IELTS exam, the examiner will assess the candidate's English language proficiency. Divided into four parts, i.e., Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, each of these sections has a distinct format, and structure that the test taker needs to be well-versed in. 

In the writing test of the IELTS exam, you will be tested for your proficiency in writing with a focus on vocabulary, grammar, cohesion, etc. Since it is a timed task that takes place for around 60 minutes, you need to be smart in timing and formulating your answer well within the given time constraint. There are two parts to the IELTS writing test, regardless if it is the Academic (students) or General Training (professional) version, which are Writing Task and Writing Task 2. 

To simplify the details about the both the parts, we are jotting down the variations and specifications in a tabular format below:

IELTS Academic Test

Writing Task 1: A visual thing would be given in the form of a map, chart, graph, or diagram, and you are required to identify the important features and explain the details in writing. It should be wrapped within 20 minutes with at least 150 words. 

Writing Task 2: An essay on an academic topic to be written and supported by facts and proper examples.  It is a suggestion to keep the writing style academic, formal, and impersonal. The use of language is complex, and high-level vocabulary is expected. The topics are  academic, and based on subjects like art, media, education, technology, politics, social issues, environmental issues, etc. The minimum word count for essay writing is 250, and a total of 40 minutes should be dedicated. 

IELTS General Training

Writing Task 1: A letter must be written that can be a request or description of a situation. You will get 20 minutes to attempt this task for attempting 150 words minimum. 

Writing Task 2: An essay on a topic of general interest should be written. It has the flexibility and versatility to be attempted as semi-formal, and validates personal experiences. When it comes to topics, it can be anything related to general interest, ranging from everyday real-life situations, to hobbies and relationships. The language is simpler compared to academics and an intermediate level of vocabulary and grammar is used. Moreover, it needs to be written within 250 words (minimum word count), and you must spare 40 minutes for it.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types

There are six types of essays that can come up in IELTS writing task 2. Although you will be asked one essay, you will not have any option to choose from, so if you are not aware of the types and fundamentals of the essays, there is a high chance of securing a low IELTS writing band score. So, it is time for you to comprehend the different essay types. 

Opinion Essay: You will be exposed to someone's viewpoint, argument, or opinion, and then you have to give your opinion concerning whether you agree or disagree with it. It leaves a scope for being extreme in its views. 

Advantages/ Disadvantages: You will have to put forth your views on the advantages and disadvantages of a topic. However, there are ‘outweigh essays’ in this category, which require your opinion. 

Discussion: You will be given a situation and engage in a discussion highlighting both sides. 

Problem/Solution:  There are categories to these sorts of essays such as cause/ solution, or problem solution. You will either spot the problem, or causes of a problem, and suggest practical solutions. 

Direct Question: There will be separate questions, two to three on the same topic, which you will respond to one after another. 

Balanced Opinion: Provided with two sides of an argument, this type of essay requires a commitment to balance both sides, by partially supporting one side and partially the counter side.

Assessment Criteria for IELTS Writing Task 2

Task Response/ Achievement: This criterion evaluates the extent to which you addressed the given topic, incorporated the main supporting points, and grasped the assigned topic. Make sure to keep your essays at least 250 in length, and proofread your writing twice. 

Cohesion and Coherence:  To maintain coherence, you must articulate your thoughts clearly with a logical flow. For cohesion, you should use accurate linking words, from among a range of pronouns, transitional phrases, and conjunctions. Paragraphing is essential for this criterion. 

Lexical Resource: You craft your writing using high vocabulary with no spelling errors. There should be use of accurate words, and collocations, but no inappropriate and irrelevant word formation must be spotted. 

Grammatical range and accuracy: Make proper use of sentence structures, and avoid making punctuation and grammatical errors. 

Benefits of Collocation Usage

For enhancing the scores in the lexical resource, it is a tip for every candidate to use collocations. Below we are breaking down the reasons for the same:

• When collocations are implemented in writing task 2, it will give a more natural flow and enhance readability. It also makes the writer sound more proficient. 
• Knowing collocations eventually exposes the writer to a varied range of vocabulary, and this will let him/her experiment with a variety of word choices. In IELTS writing, you can write with an augmented level of precision if you use collocations. 
• Collocations make it seem like the writing has been produced by a native English writer as it sounds confident and has appropriate word choices. It indicates that he/she has a good and authentic understanding of the language. 
• With the appropriate collocations, the information or message is conveyed effectively. Also, the ideas and the intentions behind the opinion can be expressed effortlessly. 

Commonly used collocations for IELTS writing

While reading a new word, it is important to gain insight into the commonly used combination that corresponds to that word. In IELTS preparation, test takers should make use of as many collocations to enhance readability. Below are a few commonly used collocations that can be used for writing:

• To play a(n) key/ vital/ important/ crucial role

Schools play a crucial role in molding a child's personality. 

• To obtain/ gain/ earn/ derive benefit

The company derived monetary profit from the international client. 

• To meet the needs of/ demand

The hospital services meet the needs of patients. 

• To face difficulties/obstacles/ hindrances/ challenges

She faced difficulty in her solo trip to the village. 

• To hold an opinion/ perspective/ viewpoint

Despite the repeated discussions, a group of people from the company was careful in holding an opinion that seemed unjust to all.

• To explain/ reason/ justification

He managed to offer a logical explanation of his business strategy to his colleagues. 

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question with Answers

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The essay prompt demands the answer to be written as an opinion essay. So, let's look at the structure of the opinion essay first:

Introduction: Highlight the background information and state if you agree with the issue or not. 

Body Paragraph 1: Write the topic sentence (1st idea) and support it with examples. 

Body Paragraph 2: Write the topic sentence (2nd idea) and support it with examples. 

Body Paragraph 3: You can add the topic sentence (3rd idea) and include the opponents' views with justification. 

Conclusion: Restate your opinion, and show your strong stance. 

IELTS writing task 2 sample question with answers

Band 6

Advance technology such as internet and social media has taken over the main place everywhere which has forced the online sources to cover news, articles, and online books. This means that men in the future will stop using hardcover books and newspapers. I totally agree with this statement and this essay will show reason for my agreement.

Advancment in technology makes it easier for reading things on internet. Electronic devices, computers, and phones, are necessities items that makes life better than the past. it is important to know that online reading is economic for readers. Because people can access certain books or information with a click in just a second which is mostly free. Individuals do not need to visit a library or a bookstore to search for most reading materials. Whether it is a student or a professional worker, one can read using the smartphone. 

Also, for saving money and academic purpose, online reading is suitable through easy internet access. From years, internet has evolved so much to impact life and changed the way how imformation is read and obtained. And, certain apps read the book or information aloud and it is useful when people are busy doing some other work. With accessible, people can multitask while getting information. In the process, people start engaging in gaining more information on different things. 

To conclude, though printed materials are valued, I think that in the future we do not need them as they will be taken over by tecnology. 

Views on the essay: 

The introduction is engaging, and shows general awareness of the issue. There can be more examples for the argument. Smooth transition and better linking devices can be employed and comes under coherence and cohesion. The ideas can be more effectively communicated if they are not disordered. Lexical devices and Grammatical range and accuracy, wherein there are spelling and word usage errors, and lesser use of collocations for the former, punctuation, and restricted use of complex sentences for the latter. 

Band 7

Nowadays, people are getting used to prefering absorbing information through internet and websites that are mostly free and easily accessible. This is indicating a situation where buying of printed newspapers and books would disappear.  In this essay, I will explicate the reasons for my strong agreement with the statement. 

To begin with, printed newspapers and books have a lot to do with environmental damage. When books are produced, trees are cut down, and there are greenhouse gas emission in the environment. Solid waste are generated and adhesives are also used to bind a book. The same happens with newspapers as well. This ongoing process leads to deforestation and affects the climate and environment. To tackle this, digital books and content are used more so that paper books are not produced and promoted. 

Second of all, to consider, online reading is easily accessible and economical for readers. It is all related to online content's availability in every corner of the world through various websites that do not demand any cost from the readers. As result, every human being is able to access information, articles, books, essays, and research papers from the comfort of the home. On top of that, manufacturing of hardcover book need money and consume a lot of time. For example, in a survey from USA, it was concluded that majority chooses online reading due to convenience. 

To close this, I want to state that a trend is growing that show rise in digital content consumption and this will replace printed newspapers and books because there is more damage to the environment producing these. 

Views on the essay: 

The prompt is understood well, and answered with justified reasons. Argument development is logical and clear in communicating views with the help of examples. There can be still some appropriate usage of cohesive devices for the coherence and cohesion criterion. Lexical devices are fairly used yet there can be replacements for words like ‘demand’ that can be replaced by ‘exact’, and ‘money’ with ‘finance’. There are a few incorrect plurals, tense errors, and missing articles which come under grammatical accuracy and range.

Band 9

In the foreseeable future, people will no longer be entertaining the routine purchasing of printed newspapers and books because of the availability and accessibility to the internet which is the repository of information. Since it is a source for procuring news and other facts, it is immensely advantageous for the folks. Through this essay, I will delineate the grounds for acknowledging the statement. 

At present, the digital versions of newspapers insinuate benefits to the environment rather than the use of printed newspapers. It is a perceptible fact that the rise in carbon dioxide emissions due to deforestation is an appalling issue today. This is why scientists are proposing and appealing to the masses to embrace digital versions of books rather than hard copies to assuage the demand for paper. An example is Japan's incredible initiative in ensuring a 47% reduction in the production of carbonic acid levels. 

In the digital era, it is a quotidian fact that it has become convenient and appropriate for every single being to search for references, articles, and books, regardless of wherever or whenever it is. Unlike in the 19th century when one could find the sources etched in the physical copies of books in libraries, there is flexibility to access information through the internet. An instance can be how a person can install an e-book app on the phone for free, and read for free which is cost-effective and time-saving. 

In a nutshell, the way that it enables someone to read a novel during meals or commutes lets people multitask. Hence, it seems obvious that with the shift towards advancement in technology, digital information consumption will be the fad of the future. 

Views on the essay: 

There is no redundancy in the essay, and shows clarity of thought, proper communication of the message, wide usage of vocabulary, and good examples to support the reasons.

Conclusion

Getting ready to sit for an IELTS exam can be challenging and exciting. Whether you are seeking entry into a university, or work overseas, our team at D-VIVID will help you sail through with their appropriate counseling and guidance. For the same, our IELTS instructors have put in all their efforts to arrange practice materials and modules that contain IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers and IELTS essay topics. If you read the sample answers on the most frequently asked IELTS essay topics, you will have a better idea as there is analysis and feedback for each of them. This will help you score a high IELTS writing band score. So, hurry up, and contact us, and we will take it from there.