Band 9 model answer
The convenience of electronic readers has prompted many to forecast that printed books will vanish within a generation. While e-books will certainly continue to gain ground, I disagree that the printed volume is destined for extinction.
The advantages driving the digital shift are clear. A single lightweight device can store an entire library, adjust font sizes and deliver a new title instantly at any hour. E-books are often cheaper, occupy no shelf space and spare countless trees, making them attractive to students, travellers and environmentally conscious readers alike. These practical merits explain their rapid and continuing rise.
However, printed books retain qualities that digital formats cannot fully reproduce. Many readers cherish the tactile pleasure of turning pages and the absence of distracting notifications, finding paper kinder to the eyes during long sessions. Physical books also serve as treasured gifts, collectible objects and lasting heirlooms, and they remain indispensable in regions where electricity and devices are scarce. Such enduring appeal suggests that demand will persist rather than evaporate.
In conclusion, although e-books will undoubtedly capture an ever-larger share of the market, the distinctive sensory, emotional and practical value of printed books ensures their survival. The two formats are likely to coexist, each suiting different readers and occasions. I therefore disagree that printed books will eventually disappear altogether.
Examiner’s notes
- Task Response: a clear opinion ('disagree') is set out at once and maintained, with both the appeal of e-books and the resilience of print fully developed.
- Coherence and Cohesion: balanced linkers 'The advantages driving', 'However' and 'In conclusion' move the reader logically from one side to the other and into the verdict.
- Lexical Resource: expressive vocabulary such as 'tactile pleasure', 'treasured heirlooms' and 'coexist' demonstrates natural, varied and precise word choice.