IELTS Task 2 Essay – Digital and Printed Books
Prompt:
In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Version 1
With the vast free content on the internet, it is said that consumers will no longer have to pay or subscribe to printed materials such as newspapers, magazines, or books. I do disagree with this notion because of the publishing industry and loyal consumers.
Book publishers offer free online materials or digital versions of certain books; however, no publisher will ever give their whole catalog for free and be readily available online. This is because the publishing industry is a behemoth and it generates millions of jobs and stimulates the economy. For instance, schools and universities are connected with publishers that produce academic paper books for students, and every year students have to buy these books. This industry cannot survive without printed materials being sold.
Although there are some free eBooks and newspapers online, some consumers prefer to have the physical copy because most consumers want to experience the product not just by sight but also using their other senses. Book collectors have a sense of accomplishment when they manage to collect all books of their favorite authors. Others love the scent of paper-bound and certain books have particular smells that are very intoxicating for the readers, and other likes to touch the pages. These experiences can only be found in physical books and consumers are willing to pay to have these.
In conclusion, although there are free eBooks and newspapers online, people will still buy printed materials because of the book business and the experiences one can get by acquiring the physical form. Therefore, I disagree that one will ever buy physical books.
Ian Tanpiuco is an ESL and virtual assistant. With a decade of experience, he has become an expert in his field. Dedicated to helping others achieve their goals, Ian works tirelessly in the classroom or as a virtual assistant.
