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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Public Libraries - Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

Get a Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer about public libraries with scoring breakdown, vocabulary, and common mistakes to avoid. Perfect for test prep.

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Get a Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer about public libraries with scoring breakdown, vocabulary, and common mistakes to avoid. Perfect for test prep.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Public Libraries - Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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The Prompt

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question

Some people argue that public libraries are no longer relevant in today's digital age. Others believe they should be preserved and enhanced. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Band 9.0 Model Answer

Public libraries remain vital community hubs in the digital age

In an era of rapid technological advancement, some contend that public libraries have outlived their usefulness, while others maintain they should be maintained and expanded. I firmly believe that libraries deserve our support as they continue to provide invaluable services to communities.

Proponents of closing libraries argue that digital technology has made them obsolete. With vast amounts of information available online, many believe books are no longer necessary. Additionally, some contend that libraries occupy valuable real estate that could be used for commercial or residential development. This perspective, however, ignores several important factors.

Libraries offer far more than just books. They provide free access to computers and the internet, which is especially important for low-income individuals. Many libraries also offer educational programs, job training, and community events that bring people together. For children, libraries serve as safe spaces for learning and exploration. According to a 2023 study by the American Library Association, 92% of library patrons reported that libraries positively impact their communities.

Moreover, libraries play a crucial role in promoting literacy and lifelong learning. While digital information is abundant, it's often uncurated and unreliable. Libraries provide access to vetted information and trained professionals who can help people navigate complex topics. They also foster a culture of reading, which is essential for critical thinking and creativity.

In conclusion, while digital technology has transformed how we access information, public libraries remain indispensable. Rather than closing them, we should work to modernize and expand their services to meet the evolving needs of communities. This will ensure that libraries continue to serve as vital community resources for generations to come.

Scoring Breakdown

| Criteria | Score | Justification | |----------|-------|-------------| | Task Response | 9.0 | Presents a clear position throughout the response with fully extended and supported ideas. Presents a conclusion that is appropriate and consistent with the argument. | | Coherence and Cohesion | 9.0 | Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention. Skilfully manages paragraphing. Uses a full range of cohesive devices appropriately although some may be overused. Logical progression. | | Lexical Resource | 9.0 | Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Rare minor errors occur only as 'slips'. | | Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 9.0 | Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor errors occur only as 'slips'. |

Band 8.0 Model Answer

Libraries still matter despite technological advances

Some people think that public libraries are not important anymore because of the internet, but I disagree. I believe libraries should be kept and improved because they offer many benefits that cannot be replaced by technology.

On one hand, those who argue for closing libraries say that everything is available online now. They believe that people don't need physical books anymore because they can read e-books or find information on the internet. Additionally, some people think that libraries take up space that could be used for other purposes, like shops or apartments.

However, libraries provide much more than just books. They offer free computer access and internet service, which is very important for people who cannot afford these things at home. Libraries also organize many activities for children and adults, such as storytime, book clubs, and workshops. These activities help people learn new skills and make new friends.

Another important point is that libraries help people find reliable information. While the internet has a lot of information, not all of it is accurate or trustworthy. Librarians are trained to help people find good sources of information. They can also teach people how to do research properly.

In my opinion, libraries should not be closed. Instead, they should be modernized to include more technology. For example, libraries could offer more e-books and online resources. They could also have more computers and better internet connections. By doing this, libraries can continue to serve their communities well.

Scoring Breakdown

| Criteria | Score | Justification | |----------|-------|-------------| | Task Response | 8.0 | Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends and supports main ideas, but some ideas are not fully developed. Presents a conclusion that is generally appropriate but may not fully reflect all the content of the response. | | Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 | Uses cohesion well enough to guide the reader, though there may be some unevenness or some sudden connectives that seem intrusive. Uses paragraphing, but not all paragraphs are equally well-organized. Logical progression is clear but may not always be smooth. | | Lexical Resource | 8.0 | Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. May make occasional errors in word choice, but they don't impede communication. | | Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 | Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. May make some grammatical errors but they don't impede communication. |

Band 7.0 Model Answer

Public libraries should not be closed

Public libraries are important and should not be closed. Some people think that because of the internet, libraries are not needed anymore. I don't agree with this opinion. Libraries have many benefits that cannot be replaced by technology.

Firstly, libraries provide free access to books and other resources. Not everyone can afford to buy books, and the internet is not always reliable. Libraries offer a quiet place where people can read and study. This is very important for students who need a good environment to do their homework.

Secondly, libraries offer many programs and activities. They have storytime for children, book clubs for adults, and classes to learn new skills. These activities help people in the community to meet each other and make friends. Libraries also provide a safe place for children to go after school.

Some people say that libraries take up too much space. They think that the land could be used for other things. However, libraries are not just buildings; they are community centers. They provide a place where people can gather and learn together. Closing libraries would be a loss for the community.

In conclusion, public libraries should not be closed. They provide important services and resources that cannot be replaced by the internet. Libraries should be kept and improved to serve their communities better.

Scoring Breakdown

| Criteria | Score | Justification | |----------|-------|-------------| | Task Response | 7.0 | Presents a clear position but may not extend this position with fully developed ideas, or support ideas with relevant, sufficient or precise supporting details. Presents a conclusion that may be sudden and may not be a conclusion but a general statement. | | Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 | Uses cohesion to link some ideas but this is only done satisfactorily and there may be some sudden connectives or mechanical devices. May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately. Logical progression is evident but may not be logical in all parts of the response. | | Lexical Resource | 7.0 | Uses a mix of simple and complex vocabulary but this may be limited and may not be adequately varied or may be inaccurate because of incorrect word choice. | | Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 | Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but this mix may not be fully appropriate to the level of task. May make some grammatical errors but they do not impede communication. |

Band 6.0 Model Answer

Libraries are not needed anymore

Some people say that libraries are still important, but I think they are not needed anymore. The internet has all the information we need, so libraries are not necessary.

First, libraries are expensive to maintain. The government spends a lot of money on libraries, but not many people use them. Most people prefer to read books on their phones or computers. Libraries are a waste of money.

Second, libraries take up a lot of space. The land where libraries are built could be used for other things, like shops or apartments. Cities are crowded, and we need more space for housing. Libraries are not useful, so we should use the land for something else.

Some people say that libraries help poor people, but this is not true. Poor people can use the internet at home or in cafes. They don't need libraries. Libraries are for rich people who like old books.

In conclusion, libraries are not needed anymore. The internet is better than libraries, and we should use the land for other things. Libraries should be closed.

Scoring Breakdown

| Criteria | Score | Justification | |----------|-------|-------------| | Task Response | 6.0 | Presents a position but it is unclear or there may be some aspects of the task that are not addressed. The position may be unclear or repetitive. Presents, but does not extend, or support main trends or ideas. There may be no conclusion. | | Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 | Uses some basic Cohesive Devices but these may be overused and at times ineffective, making it difficult for the reader to follow the argument. There may be some unclear referencing. There is an attempt at paragraphing, but it may not be logically organized. | | Lexical Resource | 6.0 | Uses a limited range of vocabulary which may be repetitious because the candidate struggles to find the right vocabulary to express what they want to say. There may be some inaccurate word choice and/or some rare errors in word form (inflectional endings). | | Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 | Uses only a limited range of sentence forms which may make the discourse predictable and repetitive. There may be frequent grammatical errors and/or frequent uncorrected spelling and/or punctuation errors that may cause some difficulty for the reader.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Crucial (adj.) - extremely important
  • Libraries play a crucial role in promoting literacy.
  1. Vetted (adj.) - carefully examined and considered reliable
  • Libraries provide access to vetted information.
  1. Curated (adj.) - selected, organized, and presented
  • Libraries offer curated collections of books and resources.
  1. Evolving (adj.) - developing gradually
  • Libraries should evolve to meet changing community needs.
  1. Flexibility (n.) - the ability to change or adapt
  • Libraries offer flexible services to meet diverse needs.
  1. Precision (n.) - the quality of being exact
  • Libraries provide precise information to help people make informed decisions.
  1. Reliable (adj.) - consistently good in quality or performance
  • Libraries offer reliable resources for research and learning.
  1. Modernize (v.) - to make something more modern
  • Libraries should modernize to stay relevant in the digital age.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.
  1. Indispensable (adj.) - absolutely necessary
  • Libraries are indispensable community resources.

Common Mistakes Students Make

  1. Ignoring the Task: Some students focus only on one side of the argument and forget to discuss both views as instructed.
  1. Lack of Specific Examples: Students often make general statements without providing specific examples or evidence to support their arguments.
  1. Weak Vocabulary: Using basic vocabulary can make the essay seem less impressive. Students should try to use a range of vocabulary, including some advanced words.
  1. Poor Organization: Essays that are poorly organized can be difficult to follow. Students should use clear paragraphing and logical progression of ideas.
  1. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can make the essay difficult to understand. Students should proofread their work to catch and correct any mistakes.

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