This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from IELTS Cambridge 15 on the topic of printed newspapers/books and reading online.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Printed Newspapers and Reading Online
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?
Sample answer :
The popularity of physical newspapers and books is in steep decline, nearing irrelevance. In my opinion, although select segments of the population still value books, the move towards free online media is inevitable.
The argument against this is that certain individuals continue to pay for print versions. These tend to be older people and only applies to the most well-known books and newspapers. For example, The New York Times still generates sizeable revenue from subscriptions and is one of the only magazines in the United States currently publishing a daily, physical edition. Moreover, hard copies of books are still popular. The vast majority of middle-aged and older people relish the texture and character of actual books and lack the technological know-how to download E-Books. Even many younger people prefer reading paperbacks and hardcovers to reduce eye strain.
Nonetheless, someday nearly everyone will read solely online. The clearest evidence for this can be seen in the number of publishers resigned to discontinue printing such as The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, and The Independent. Those still in print have seen circulation drop precipitously as individuals access the same news for free, more conveniently on their mobile devices. This same trend is occurring slowly with E-Books due to the rise of Amazon’s online platforms. Companies charging for online subscriptions have found their readership is trending towards obsolescence as competitors are willing to post free content and earn profits through targeted advertising. These are entrenched habits for young people and it is only a matter of time until print media disappears entirely.
In conclusion, a rapid decline in publishing cannot be halted as reading habits have changed irrevocably. This means websites will have to become as reliable and responsible as newspapers.
Vocabulary
- physical newspapers actually printed papers
- steep decline decreasing quickly
- irrelevance not important anymore
- select segments certain parts of
- value importance
- move movement/development
- free online media websites, blogs
- inevitable can’t be stopped
- certain individuals some people
- tend to be are usually
- only applies just relates to
- most well-known famous
- generates sizeable revenue makes a lot of money
- subscriptions signing up to receive regularly
- currently publishing now releasing
- edition copy of a book/magazine
- hard copies physical book
- vast majority most of
- middle-aged 40s or 50s
- relish really enjoy
- texture how it feels
- actual books real, physical books
- lack not having
- technological know-how ability to use tech
- download E-Books purchase and keep online books
- paperbacks soft cover, physical books
- hardcovers hard, large cover books
- reduce eye strain not hurt your eyes so much
- read solely online only read online
- clearest evidence best instance
- resigned accepted
- discontinue printing stop publishing
- still in print continuing to publish
- circulation drop precipitously sales falling a lot
- mobile devices smartphones, tablets
- trend pattern
- occurring happening
- rise increase
- Amazon’s online platforms Kindle, Audible, etc.
- charging paying for
- readership people who read
- trending towards obsolescence starting to disappear
- competitors other publishers
- post free content put up articles for no charge
- earn profits make money
- targeted advertising ads at specific people/groups
- entrenched habits can’t change habits
- only a matter of time until will eventually happen
- entirely completely
- rapid decline quickly decrease
- halted stopped
- reading habits how people read
- irrevocably can’t be reversed
- reliable can be trusted
