Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn about news. However, others believe that they can learn news more effectively through other media.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn about news. However, others believe that they can learn news more effectively through other media.

Newspapers Best Way Learn News vs Other Media Effectiveness - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 · 332 words.

It is argued by some that newspapers are the optimal way to access the news, whereas others oppose this view, claiming the superiority of other methods to keep up to date with news. This essay will examine both of these perspectives before explaining why I think that while newspapers are more credible with fewer distractions, other forms of media such as the internet provide quick and tailored access to news, making the ultimate choice depend on individual priorities and requirements.

Supporters contend that newspapers are considered more reliable. Unlike social media, where reporting fake news is commonplace to seek attention, newspaper publishers thoroughly examine the affairs while also cross-checking the information to provide credible news. The majority of publications are also controlled by governments to prevent the spread of false claims about events happening around the globe. Another compelling reason is that newspapers offer a distraction-free environment, where readers are not constantly bombarded with notifications—a typical scenario when news is obtained online.

Critics, however, believe that the internet facilitates considerably quicker access to the news. Individuals can read about current affairs occurring on the other side of the world instantly through the internet at the tip of their fingers without waiting for news outlets to print and deliver it to their hands. An equally noteworthy point would be that readers can choose what kind of news to receive on news-reporting websites. A pertinent illustration is the website called The Guardian, which offers viewers the ability to select topics of interest, enabling them to keep up with the news that can actually be engaging.

In conclusion, while newspapers are valued due to their reliability and less distracting nature, other methods to access news, like the internet, are favored because they update people almost instantly and give a chance to tailor the kind of news according to an individual's taste. Nevertheless, I believe rather than viewing both of these methods as mutually exclusive, the preferences and needs of individuals should be taken into account.

Examiner feedback

This is a well-structured and thoughtfully argued essay that addresses both sides of the prompt while maintaining a clear personal stance. The vocabulary and grammar are used with good control and flexibility, leading to a solid Band 7 performance across all criteria.

Task Response - 7

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views and presenting a clear position. - Presents well-developed main ideas with relevant supporting details for both newspapers and alternative media. - Maintains a clear position throughout with a well-reasoned conclusion.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Logically organises information and ideas with a clear overall progression throughout the essay. - Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, such as "whereas", "unlike", and "consequently". - Presents clear central topics within each paragraph and maintains appropriate paragraphing.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision, such as "optimal", "mutually exclusive", and "bombarded". - Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation. - Produces rare minor errors in word choice or collocation that do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- Uses a variety of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences. - Demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation with very few minor issues. - Employs a good range of subordinate clauses and relative structures effectively.

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