IELTS Writing Task 2: Newspapers Vs Online News (Positive Negative) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt
Some people prefer to read news from newspapers, while others prefer to get their news online. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of both and give your opinion.
Model Answers
Band 6.0 Answer
The newspapers and online news have their own advantages and disadvantages. First, newspapers are convenient because you can read them anywhere without needing electricity. However, they are not always up-to-date. On the other hand, online news is always current, but it can be distracting because of advertisements. In my opinion, online news is better because it is faster and more convenient.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but does not extend or support it with reasons or examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but these are often mechanical or overused.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses a limited range of vocabulary but attempts some less common vocabulary.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Has frequent grammatical errors that may impede communication.
Band 7.0 Answer
In recent years, the way people consume news has changed dramatically. Newspapers offer several benefits, such as being portable and not requiring any technology to read. However, they can become outdated quickly and are not environmentally friendly. Conversely, online news provides instant updates and a wide range of sources, but it can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of information. Additionally, the credibility of online sources can be questionable. Personally, I believe that online news is more advantageous due to its immediacy and accessibility.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response and extends and supports main trends, divisions, and implications with some relevant, clear explanations.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses a mix of cohesive devices appropriately, though some may be mechanical or overused.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, though there may be some inappropriate or less common word choices.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Has a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there are frequent grammatical errors that may impede communication.
Band 8.0 Answer
The digital age has transformed the way we access news, presenting both newspapers and online news with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Newspapers, being tangible, offer a tactile reading experience and are less likely to cause eye strain. They also provide a curated selection of news, reducing information overload. However, their production contributes to deforestation, and they cannot offer real-time updates. Online news, on the other hand, is instantly accessible, environmentally friendly, and offers a vast array of sources. Yet, the constant influx of information can lead to anxiety, and not all online sources are reliable. In my view, online news holds more benefits, especially in terms of accessibility and environmental impact.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response and extends and supports main trends, divisions, and implications with relevant, clear explanations and examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, though there may be some under- or over-use of certain devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, with occasional less common lexis and some less precise word choices.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with frequent grammatical errors that may impede communication.
Band 9.0 Answer
The advent of digital technology has revolutionized news consumption, presenting both traditional newspapers and online news with unique advantages and challenges. Newspapers, with their physical form, offer a tangible reading experience that can be less taxing on the eyes and provide a curated selection of news, mitigating information overload. Moreover, they can be a source of income for journalists through subscriptions. Nevertheless, their production process is environmentally detrimental, and they cannot provide real-time updates. Conversely, online news offers instant accessibility, environmental benefits, and a plethora of sources. However, the constant deluge of information can induce anxiety, and the credibility of sources can be dubious. In my opinion, online news is more beneficial due to its immediacy, environmental friendliness, and the vast array of sources it provides, despite the potential drawbacks.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response and extends and supports main trends, divisions, and implications with relevant, clear explanations and examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, though there may be some under- or over-use of certain devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally and flexibly, with rare errors in word choice.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors that rarely impede communication.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Advent (noun): The arrival of a notable person or thing. Example: The advent of digital technology has revolutionized news consumption.
- Tangible (adjective): Clear and definite; real. Example: Newspapers, with their physical form, offer a tangible reading experience.
- Mitigate (verb): Make less severe, serious, or painful. Example: They provide a curated selection of news, mitigating information overload.
- Deluge (noun): An overwhelming amount of something. Example: The constant deluge of information can induce anxiety.
- Dubious (adjective): Hesitating or doubting. Example: The credibility of sources can be dubious.
- Immediacy (noun): The quality of being immediate or instant. Example: In my opinion, online news is more beneficial due to its immediacy.
- Curated (adjective): Selected, organized, and presented by a curator or curators for exhibition. Example: Newspapers provide a curated selection of news.
- Environmentally detrimental (adjective): Harmful to the environment. Example: Their production process is environmentally detrimental.
- Plethora (noun): A large or excessive amount of something. Example: Online news offers a plethora of sources.
- Induce (verb): Bring about or give rise to. Example: The constant deluge of information can induce anxiety.
- Tactile (adjective): Relating to the sense of touch. Example: Newspapers offer a tactile reading experience.
- Accessibility (noun): The quality of being able to be reached or entered. Example: Online news offers instant accessibility.
- Credibility (noun): The quality of being trusted and believed in. Example: The credibility of online sources can be questionable.
- Real-time (adjective): Occurring or being displayed at the same instant or point in time. Example: Online news offers real-time updates.
- Deforestation (noun): The action of clearing a large area of trees. Example: The production of newspapers contributes to deforestation.
- Instant (adjective): Happening or coming immediately. Example: Online news provides instant accessibility.
- Volume (noun): A large amount or quantity of something. Example: The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.
- Overwhelming (adjective): Very great in amount, intensity, or degree. Example: The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.
- Flexibility (noun): The quality of bending easily without breaking. Example: Uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally and flexibly.
- Plagiarism (noun): The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. Example: Avoid plagiarism by paraphrasing and using your own words.
Common Mistakes
- Plagiarism: Copying directly from other sources without proper citation or paraphrasing.
- Lack of Specific Examples: Failing to provide specific examples to support arguments.
- Poor Time Management: Spending too much time on one part of the task and rushing the rest.
- Inadequate Vocabulary: Using limited vocabulary that does not allow for flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical errors that impede communication.
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