Writing report

academic IELTS Writing: Task 2

Overall score

8.00

8.0 of 9.0

Submitted on

May 24, 2025 (10 months ago)

Writing duration

0 minutes

Task description

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?

You should write a minimum of 150 words.

Source: Cambridge 15

Task answer

There has been extended debate on whether hard copies of the news or books will be available in the future. Many disagree, arguing that people can find these resources online for free. Personally, I believe that the habit will disappear, but not for the former stated reason. There are several causes that may contribute to the disappearance of printed books and newspapers. First, hardcover manuscripts can be significantly more expensive than the online edition. Due to the cost of printing, cover design, and distribution, the final price can be 30% to 40% higher than the original one, sold directly online by the initial publishing house. Moreover, they are not always accessible. On account of certain materials being censored in many countries, it is a deterrent to citizens who would like to expand their reading experience. In addition, the convenience of online manuscripts is undeniable. In particular, their portability, thanks to the help of devices such as mobile phones and Kindles, and the need for minimal storage space, makes them considerably more popular to the younger generations. Although hardcopy manuscripts face many challenges, claiming that free of charge is among them is unreasonable. For one, people are willing to pay for quality services. Reputable newspaper houses still generate billions in revenue owing to subscriptions, and many writers' main incomes are from the charge of online platforms for readers. Furthermore, the limitation of accessible online materials without payment is significant. The only books that are legally free are ones whose copyrights have expired, which is 100 years after their first publication, and 60% most trusted newspaper websites require paid subscription. In conclusion, I believe that printed editions will no longer be available for their high cost, reduced outreach and inconvenience compared to digital ones; however, the claim that people will stop buying them because they can read online free of charge is wholly unfounded.

Word count:309