Nowadays Most Information is Available Online- IELTS Writing Task 2

Nowadays most information is available online whereas in the past knowledge used to be stored in books and on paper. Do you think the advantages of this situation outweigh its disadvantages?

Outline

Essay Type

Advantages/Disadvantages essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay and mention that it has its merits and demerits.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Talk about the advantages of information being available online.

Paragraph 2 – Implore the drawbacks.

Conclusion

Restate your opinions.

Sample Essay

The internet has become the chief source of information; evidently, paper books are being replaced by e-books. While excessive dependence on digital sources of information can cause eye strain, in my opinion, the benefits of this development exceed the downsides because the internet is eco-friendly and provides instant access to data.

Nowadays, books are scanned and uploaded online, and journals and research papers are published online. One who supports this trend can quickly point out numerous advantages, be it a poor student or a person using an iPhone. Anybody can access any book on the go if that person has an internet connection. There is no such discrimination based on the socio-economic and cultural status of the internet. Wikipedia, the almighty Google and millions of consequential web pages are always there to help one in any situation. One can find suitable books on the internet by searching by their name on the search bar. So, technically everyone is just a click away from obtaining a book. Some books are even free online and one can download and share them with others in the blink of an eye.

On the other hand, internet usage has been increasing over the last few decades. Most of the jobs require sitting behind computer screens for a long time. Individuals who spend extra time using computers for research can face eye problems. Another disadvantage is that some of the information available online is not reliable. With the ease of getting online, anybody can create a blog or website and post nearly anything there. It is not the case with books or newspapers. On top of that, in some cases, the published date of the documents available online is not precise, which might confuse readers.

To conclude, I can say that undoubtedly none can deny the handiness of books being available online, but I doubt its effectiveness in the long term.

Vocabulary

• Evidently

Meaning – in a way that is clearly seen or understood; obviously.
Example – The army officials were evidently trying to frighten the public into obedience.

• Strain

Meaning – force (a part of one’s body or oneself) to make an unusually great effort.
Example – I found that having to concentrate for so long is causing a strain on my eyes/

• Access

Meaning – the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place.
Example – The updated software enables you to access the Internet in seconds.

• Consequential

Meaning – following as a result or effect.
Example – The consequential shock Anna suffered left her paralysed.

• Blink

Meaning – shut and open the eyes quickly.
Example – In the blink of an eye, she was gone.

• Reliable

Meaning – consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.
Example – I am very grateful to have a very reliable elder brother.

• Precise

Meaning – marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail.
Example – Experiments in Physics and Chemistry ask for precise measurement.

• Situation

Meaning – a set of circumstances in which one finds oneself; a state of affairs.
Example – It was a perfect situation to propose to her.

• Journal

Meaning – a newspaper or magazine that deals with a particular subject or professional activity.
Example – A new intern suggested that Times Now publish a quarterly journal.

• Research

Meaning – the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
Example – The field of law tends the students to research tons of case laws during their course.