IELTS Speaking Practice: Digital Books vs. Physical Books

I actually enjoy both, but I tend to prefer physical books for longer reads. There’s something special about turning pages that I find comforting. However, when I’m travelling, e-books are incredibly convenient since I can carry dozens of books on my tablet without adding any weight to my luggage.

Useful language:tend to preferincredibly convenient

Most evenings for about half an hour before bed. During busy weeks it’s less, but I try to finish at least one book a month.

Useful language:at least one book a month

Adventure stories and fantasy, mostly. I loved books about children who discovered secret worlds or solved mysteries, and I used to read them under the covers with a torch.

Useful language:under the covers

A little. I read more news and non-fiction on screen now because it’s quick to access, but for novels I’ve gone back to paper because I find it easier to concentrate.

Useful language:gone back to paper

I think people read more in total, but less in depth. We read constantly on our phones — messages, articles, social media — but fewer people sit down with a whole book, mainly because of distractions.

Useful language:less in depthdistractions

Yes, ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. It explains how small changes in daily routines add up over time, and it’s very practical — I’ve actually changed my study habits because of it.

Useful language:add up over timepractical

Yes, on long journeys or while exercising. They let me ‘read’ when my hands and eyes are busy, although I sometimes lose concentration if the narrator’s voice is too slow.

Useful language:lose concentration

Mostly through recommendations from friends and reviews online. I also browse bookshops and choose based on the first page — if it grabs my attention, I buy it.

Useful language:grabs my attention

I’d like to talk about a book called ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover, which had a profound impact on me. This memoir tells the author’s journey from growing up in a strict and isolated household in rural Idaho to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University.

I read it about two years ago, during a period when I was questioning the value of formal education. A friend recommended it to me, and I decided to read it in physical format because I wanted to lend it to others afterwards.

What made this book particularly meaningful was how it portrayed the transformative power of education. Westover didn’t just gain academic knowledge; she developed critical thinking skills that allowed her to redefine her identity and her relationship with her family. The book challenged me to reflect on my own educational journey and the privileges I had often taken for granted.

The author’s determination to overcome enormous obstacles was truly inspiring. It helped me appreciate that education isn’t just about career advancement — it’s about expanding our understanding of the world and ourselves. I’ve recommended this book to many friends since reading it, and I still think about it frequently.

Useful language:a profound impactquestioning the value oftransformative powertaken for grantedcareer advancement

Digital books have fundamentally transformed reading habits. They’ve made reading more accessible — people can carry entire libraries on a single device, which encourages more frequent but perhaps shorter reading sessions. Digital platforms have also changed how we discover books: many readers now find them through algorithms and online reviews, which has opened up markets for niche genres and independent authors.

Useful language:fundamentally transformedalgorithmsniche genresindependent authors

It’s more complicated than it seems. E-books save paper, ink and transport, but e-readers require energy and rare materials to manufacture, and they eventually become electronic waste. Research suggests an e-reader becomes greener only if you read many books on it over several years.

Useful language:rare materialselectronic wastegreener

I think the good ones will survive, but in a different form. Many bookstores now act as cultural spaces, with cafés, author events and expert recommendations that online shops can’t offer. Smaller, specialist shops may actually do better than large chains.

Useful language:cultural spacesexpert recommendationsspecialist shops

There are both risks and benefits. Interactive e-books can motivate reluctant readers, but screens can also distract children with games and notifications. Some research suggests comprehension is better with paper for longer texts, so I think young children should still read plenty of printed books.

Useful language:reluctant readerscomprehension

Age, habits and lifestyle all matter. People who commute or travel often value the convenience of e-books, while those who read for relaxation may prefer the feel of paper. Eyesight is a factor too — adjustable text size helps older readers — and some people simply like owning a book collection.

Useful language:the convenience ofadjustable text size

A physical book offers a sense of progress — you can see how much you’ve read — and fewer distractions. Many people remember the content better because they can recall where something appeared on a page. Digital reading is more flexible, with built-in dictionaries and searchable text, but it’s easier to skim.

Useful language:a sense of progressbuilt-in dictionariesskim

Publishers now release most titles in print, e-book and audiobook formats at the same time. They’ve also adapted pricing and marketing, using social media and online retailers. At the same time, self-publishing platforms have allowed authors to bypass traditional publishers altogether.

Useful language:self-publishingbypass

Yes. Reference books, textbooks and travel guides work well digitally because you can search them and update them easily. Novels suit both formats. But illustrated books, art books and children’s picture books are usually better in print, where the images can be enjoyed fully.

Useful language:reference booksillustrated booksenjoyed fully