Printed books in a digital era: IELTS Task 2 essay #1, band 7.0

A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.

357 words. Marked by Axiom on 5 October 2026. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

Task 2357 words

Some people think that printed books are no longer needed in the digital era, because all writing can be stored electronically. Others think printed books will still play an important role. -- Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There is an ongoing debate over which versions of books should be widely used by people. While some people believe that traditional books must be avoid with the introduction of e-books, I agree with those who argue that the values in different areas of printed book should not be ignored.

Proponents of electronic books mainly present several claims, chief among them being the accessibility this version offers. Followed by the advent of technology, more and more readers are having continued relevance on electronic alternatives of books, as e-books are easily accessed, allowing people to immerse in reading in different settings. Another reason why people are shifting their focus to e-books is the convenience they come with. When traveling, for example, many readers who do not like to take printed materials solely for having less luggage usually prioritize replacing them with better alternatives. Online formats of different books can quickly be downloaded on a single device, giving people a chance to have an entire library in their pockets.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedProponents of electronic books present several claims, with chief accessibility as a key advantage.
The revised sentence has a better flow of ideas and is more concise.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedWith the advent of technology, more and more readers are showing continued relevance for electronic alternatives to books, as e-books are easily accessible and can be read in various settings.
The revised sentence is more idiomatic and uses more precise language.

That notwithstanding, I think technologies cannot simple replenish for printed books for several reasons, starting with the social status of libraries and bookstores in people's lives. For a long time, libraries and bookstores have been considered as community hubs, places where various individuals socialize and exchange their thoughts with other avid readers. Once e-books start gaining a lot more popularity than traditional books, it would impose a risk on the importance of these places and communities, making the social life of people even more isolated or centered around social media. Moreover, based on researches conducted on the traditional way of learning, it has been proved that emphasizing tactile experience while learning makes the overall process of retaining information even better and faster. For this opportunity which e-books mostly fail to provide, as well as the sensory experience and aesthetics that may readers cherish in printed books, they should be taken for granted.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedHowever, I believe that technology cannot simply replace printed books for several reasons, starting with the social status of libraries and bookstores in people's lives.
The revised sentence is more coherent and the use of 'However' at the beginning of the sentence provides a clear transition.
Lexical resource
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RevisedMoreover, studies have shown that the tactile experience of learning is important and can enhance information retention.
The revised sentence is more precise and uses more natural language.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedE-books fail to provide the tactile experience and aesthetics that many readers cherish in printed books, and for this reason, they should not be taken for granted.
The revised sentence is more precise and uses more natural language.

In conclusion, although many people would support the implementation of electronic devices in storing information and reading thank for their immediate accessibility and comfort, I believe that these factors cannot simply surpass the social value printed books carry.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedIn conclusion, although many people support the use of electronic devices for storage and reading due to their immediate accessibility and comfort, I believe that the social value of printed books cannot be surpassed.
The revised sentence is more coherent and the use of 'although' at the beginning of the sentence provides a clear transition.

Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.

Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.

Coherence & cohesion

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay is logically organized and ideas are connected well. However, there are a few areas where the flow of ideas could be improved. The essay follows a logical structure, but transitions between paragraphs and within paragraphs could be smoother. The introduction sets up the topic well, but the connection between different points could be enhanced with more explicit linking phrases. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points but could be more comprehensive.

Suggestions

Use more linking words to improve the flow of ideas.
Ensure that each paragraph has a clear main idea.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedProponents of electronic books present several claims, with chief accessibility as a key advantage.
The revised sentence has a better flow of ideas and is more concise.
RevisedHowever, I believe that technology cannot simply replace printed books for several reasons, starting with the social status of libraries and bookstores in people's lives.
The revised sentence is more coherent and the use of 'However' at the beginning of the sentence provides a clear transition.
RevisedIn conclusion, although many people support the use of electronic devices for storage and reading due to their immediate accessibility and comfort, I believe that the social value of printed books cannot be surpassed.
The revised sentence is more coherent and the use of 'although' at the beginning of the sentence provides a clear transition.

Grammar & accuracy

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay uses a wide range of complex structures. However, there are a few grammatical errors and awkward constructions. The essay demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures and a variety of grammatical forms. However, there are a few grammatical errors and awkward constructions that could be revised for clarity. For example, in the sentence "That notwithstanding, I think technologies cannot simple replenish for printed books for several reasons, starting with the social status of libraries and bookstores in people's lives," the phrase "cannot simple replenish for printed books" is grammatically incorrect and should be revised.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedWith the advent of technology, more and more readers are finding electronic alternatives to books relevant, as e-books are easily accessible and can be read in different settings.
The revised sentence corrects the awkward construction and makes the meaning clearer.
RevisedMoreover, studies on traditional learning methods have shown that emphasizing the tactile experience while learning can improve the overall process of information retention.
The revised sentence corrects the awkward construction and makes the meaning clearer.
RevisedE-books, which mostly fail to provide the tactile experience and aesthetics that many readers cherish in printed books, should not be taken for granted.
The revised sentence corrects the awkward construction and makes the meaning clearer.

Lexical resource

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary and there is evidence of some less common and idiomatic language. However, there are a few instances of awkward or incorrect word choice. The essay demonstrates a good command of a wide range of vocabulary relevant to the topic. However, there are a few instances of awkward or incorrect word choice that could be revised for clarity. For example, in the sentence "Once e-books start gaining a lot more popularity than traditional books, it would impose a risk on the importance of these places and communities, making the social life of people even more isolated or centered around social media," the phrase "it would impose a risk on the importance of these places and communities" is awkward and could be rephrased for clarity.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedWith the advent of technology, more and more readers are showing continued relevance for electronic alternatives to books, as e-books are easily accessible and can be read in various settings.
The revised sentence is more idiomatic and uses more precise language.
RevisedMoreover, studies have shown that the tactile experience of learning is important and can enhance information retention.
The revised sentence is more precise and uses more natural language.
RevisedE-books fail to provide the tactile experience and aesthetics that many readers cherish in printed books, and for this reason, they should not be taken for granted.
The revised sentence is more precise and uses more natural language.

Task response

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay addresses the task effectively, presenting a clear position throughout. However, the argument could be more fully developed in places. The essay effectively addresses the prompt by discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The introduction and conclusion are well-developed and the essay is well-organized. However, the argument could be more fully developed in places. The essay effectively addresses the prompt by discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The introduction and conclusion are well-developed and the essay is well-organized. However, the argument could be more fully developed in places.

Suggestions

Ensure that you fully develop your arguments and provide sufficient support for your points.

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