Plan this discussion essay about media with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people prefer to get their news from newspapers, while others prefer to read it online or watch it on television.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Newspapers, online sites and television all compete to deliver the news, and people have different preferences. Although each format has strengths, I believe the best approach is to combine them rather than rely on only one.
Readers who prefer newspapers value depth and reliability. Articles are usually written by professional journalists, checked by editors and given enough space to explain the background to a story. A printed paper also has no pop-up adverts or constant notifications, so people can concentrate on what they read. For many older readers, reading the paper over breakfast is a calming routine that an app cannot replace.
By contrast, online news and television offer speed and convenience. A story can be published within minutes of an event, whereas a newspaper is already out of date when it arrives. Websites are often free, and readers can select the topics they care about, such as football or technology, instead of paying for a whole paper. Video reports bring events to life in a way that text cannot; footage of a flood or an election rally conveys the situation immediately. Online news is also available anywhere with a phone, which suits people with busy commuting schedules.
Personally, I think the weakness of online news is its uneven quality, since anyone can publish a misleading story and algorithms push the most dramatic content. For that reason I would use the internet for quick updates and then turn to reputable newspaper sites or print for analysis. Viewers should always check where a report comes from.
In conclusion, newspapers provide accuracy and depth, while online and television news provide speed and choice. The most informed people draw on all of them.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| print media | newspapers and magazines |
| breaking news | latest urgent reports |
| reliable source | place information can be trusted |
| in-depth analysis | detailed study |
| news outlet | organisation reporting news |
| keep up to date with | stay informed about |
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