Plan this opinion essay about cities 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:
Public libraries are no longer needed in cities because people can find all the information they need online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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.
Some people argue that public libraries are no longer necessary in cities because everything can be found online. I disagree with this view, as libraries continue to serve important social and educational functions.
It is easy to see why the argument seems convincing. Search engines provide instant access to encyclopaedias, news and e-books, and many people now read, study and research entirely on their own devices. Running a library is costly, with expenses for buildings, staff and books, and some councils have closed branches to save money. A student who needs a quick fact certainly does not need to visit a building.
Nevertheless, the claim ignores several realities. First, not everyone has reliable internet access or a computer; libraries provide free connections, equipment and help for those who cannot afford them, including job seekers who need to apply for work online. Second, a great deal of valuable material, such as rare books, local history archives and academic journals, is not freely available on the web, and librarians have the skills to guide users to trustworthy information, which is increasingly important given the amount of misleading content online. Libraries also play a social role: they offer quiet places to study, children's reading sessions, language classes and community events, and they are welcoming spaces for elderly people who might otherwise feel isolated. In many neighbourhoods, the library is one of the few free public spaces remaining.
Rather than closing libraries, governments should modernise them, adding digital resources, workshops and flexible opening hours.
In conclusion, the internet has changed how we find information, but it has not removed the need for libraries, which promote equality, learning and community. I therefore disagree that they are no longer needed.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| public amenity | facility for community use |
| digital resources | online materials |
| community hub | place where locals meet |
| information access | ability to find information |
| study space | place for learning |
| librarian | person who works in a library |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
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