Write your own answer first40 minutes and at least 250 words, like the real test. Use the editor below, then compare with the Band 8 model essay.
This is a practice question for IELTS Writing Task 2.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task and write at least 250 words.
Write about the following topic#
Fewer people today read printed newspapers than in the past. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
This is a two-part (direct) question essay. For the structure and useful language, see our two-part question guide.
Sample answer outline#
- Introduction: paraphrase + short answers to both questions
- Body paragraph 1: why (the internet and phones, free online news, social media habits)
- Body paragraph 2: positive or negative (your view, with reasons)
- Conclusion: repeat both answers briefly
Essay practice editor
Model answer (Band 8 style)
Write your own answer first, then compare structure and vocabulary. Task 2 · 279 words.
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Sales of printed newspapers have fallen sharply in most countries over the last twenty years. This is mainly because news is now available instantly and free of charge online, and in my view the change is largely positive, although it has created some new problems.
The most obvious reason for the decline is the internet. People can now read the news on their phones at any time, and online articles are updated constantly, whereas a printed newspaper is out of date within hours of being published. Cost is another factor. Many news websites are free or much cheaper than buying a daily paper, so there is little reason to pay for printed copies. Finally, reading habits have changed, particularly among younger people, who tend to get their news through social media and video platforms rather than by sitting down with a newspaper.
On the whole, I believe this is a positive development. Online news is faster, cheaper and more accessible, and it allows readers to compare reports from many different sources, including international ones, rather than relying on a single paper. It is also better for the environment, as it saves vast quantities of paper. However, the change does have a downside. As newspapers have lost income, many have reduced the number of journalists, particularly in local reporting, and some online sources are less reliable. This means that readers now need to be more careful about checking where their information comes from.
In conclusion, people read fewer printed newspapers mainly because of the speed, convenience and low cost of online news. Overall, I see this as a positive change, provided that readers remain critical of the sources they use.
Task Response
Both questions are answered: why (body 1) and positive or negative (body 2), with short answers in the introduction.
Coherence and Cohesion
Reasons are sequenced (*The most obvious reason… Another factor… Finally…*); the opinion paragraph is balanced with *However*.
Lexical Resource
*out of date within hours*, *updated constantly*, *vast quantities of paper*, *remain critical of the sources*.
Grammatical Range
Comparisons (*faster, cheaper and more accessible*), a passive (*being published*) and a conditional (*provided that*).
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Evaluation criteria#
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
For more practice, try Living Far From Family and Young People and Saving Money, or browse all Writing Task 2 topics.