The Subscription Economy: PTE Essay Question with Sample Answers - Page 3

Your task

Read the essay question below, then write 200 to 300 words in response.

“Subscription-based models are now used in education, entertainment, and even fitness.Do you think this is a sustainable way of accessing services? Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experience.”

30 community answers with AI feedback

SCORE 22/26

Nowadays, it is widely contended that instead of paying a huge one-time cost, users can pay smaller monthly fees is to be considered a positive or negative impact on society. But at the same time, there is also a counterargument among some sections of people that small monthly payments can add up to more than buying the product outright. However, I would like to subscribe to the notion that services are constantly refreshed, like Spotify updates playlists daily, and educational apps and new modules, keeping content relevant. The reason I say that is because it bestows us with numerous benefits, the most remarkable of which is that subscriptions usually allow cancellation anytime. People can sign up for a fitness app during the summer and pause it later if they don't use it. For instance, Netflix gives access to thousands of movies at the cost of two or three movie tickets. Similarly, online education platforms like Coursera or Skillshare let learners explore more courses without paying individually. On the other hand, the worst possible loss from this is that subscription services rely on stable internet and technology; without them, access becomes limited, unlike owning physical books or DVDs. At this juncture, citing an example would be apt to what has been claimed here, many platforms split content, a student might need to subscribe to multiple learning sites or a viewer to different streaming apps, making it overwhelming and expensive. Considering all of the above, you don't own the content once you stop paying. Access is gone. Imagine losing all your fitness progress tracking just because you canceled the subscription. Saying that, and driven by my personal experiences, I strongly believe that the optimum result we should implement subscription-based models is sustainable if managed wisely, especially for people who value variety and flexibility. However, they can become a financial burden if users subscribe to too many services or don't fully utilize them.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 1

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples but lacks full depth.

Grammar:

Consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, including idiomatic expressions.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, expressing ideas clearly with minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear argument development and logical paragraphs, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

Subscription-based models are being introduced in almost all digital platforms, be it in entertainment, fitness, or education. However, they need to be used tactfully to gain more interests towards the platform, welcome more users, and also help the companies stay sustainable. There can be limitations on the price of the service for the subscription. For example, when the Friends Reunion was announced on OTT, the platform Zee5 had bought the rights to air the show. Zee5 was the least preferred platform as compared to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or JioHotstar. Most of the viewers watched only the free shows on Zee5. However, due to the high-demand to watch the reunion, Zee5 advertised an offer to purchase a full-year subscription and not a full-month subscription. This forced users to pay for a full year subcription. A good marketing technique, as this led to an increase in users for Zee5 and also earned profits. Zee5 went on to make 5 million from that one tactic. But with subscription also comes the question of affordability. Audiences are becoming more mindful of their purchasing power. They are reluctant to unnecessarily spend on expensive subscriptions and rather use free-based platforms or use the traditional options. Therefore, when Netflix came to India with its high subscription cost, audiences couldn't afford it. That is when they introduced their mobile packages of Rs. 199 per month offer instead of their high package of Rs. 599 for a screen. This made it affordable for users to consider subscribing to Netflix. Unfortunately, for sustaining business, digital and app-based platforms need subscribers to recover operational costs, payments, and profits. But they need to use their subscription tactics mindfully to retain their current users, attract new users, and provide various offers as a win-win for both subscribers and the platform.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay fully addresses the prompt, discussing the sustainability of subscription models with relevant examples and a convincing argument.

Grammar:

Consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Contains more than one spelling error ('subcription', 'interests').

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, suitable for the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with occasional minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a clear structure with a logical flow, but transitions between ideas could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

With the advancements in technology, subscription-based model are now being used in almost all fields, ranging from education, entertainment and even fitness. In my opinion, this model coincides with the need of people to access services remotely and at their convenience. Though this model invites certain regulatory interventions, but can add tremendous value if operated sustainably. Firstly, subscription-based models have made services like education, entertainment more accessible to people, covering even the remote areas. For example, children in many villages have access to higher education, which was just a dream for them earlier due to poor financial conditions and lack of resources. People do not have to travel to theatres to watch a movie and can simply open apps like Netflix to entertain themselves. Similarly, housewives are able to remain fit at home, using various fitness apps. All they need is a valid subscription to the application. However, as two sides of a coin, there are certain drawbacks of the model like high subscription costs, requirement of supportive equipment like phones, tablets, computers which may not be easily available to everyone. Additionally, social distancing and social isolation is a major concern as people tend to spend more time in virtual apps rather than going out to avail such services. Hence, it is important that certain regulatory measures are brought in like minimum subscription pricing and subsidies. Institution like government, schools, colleges and workplaces can have common subscription for their stakeholders to enable enhanced and easy usage of such apps. For companies deploying such model, it is important to bring improvements in their subscription plans timely. Though prime services can be paid, basic versions free of cost to benefit the society.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with relevant ideas and examples, though it could expand on certain points.

Grammar:

Relatively high degree of grammatical control with minor errors that do not impede understanding.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire appropriate for the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

Variety of expressions and vocabulary used appropriately with clear communication of ideas.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear paragraphs and logical flow, though transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

Services, by definition are facilities available as per consumer needs. While in earlier years, rich people has cleaners, cooks and other service providers on part-time basis, today subscription based models have democratized areas like education and entertainment for all. In today's fast changing world, these models are disruptive and attractive thereby getting unprecedented traction, and rightly so. A subscription based model provides a choice to consumer to stop the service anytime, if they find it not meeting their quality expectation or, if it's no longer pertinent to them. Moreover, it ensures that consumer is charged only for the time or amount they have used. Additionally, the subscription based model ensures that suppliers improve their offerings continuously at most attractive price to remain in business. Critics may argue that subscription models shows lack of commitment on user's behalf, but, in this rapidly changing technology driven world, new solutions are being discovered everyday. Hence, having an option to switch to another partner is a great way to stay updated. The model also allows young people to manage their finances better. With subscription model, unlike their parents, people can pay every month and avoid blocking their capital for long periods and hence keeps them stress free. Overall, subscription based model drives most efficient market dynamics, by giving consumers more choices , and pushing suppliers to provide more value to stay solvent in business.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant ideas, but lacks some depth in examples.

Grammar:

Relatively high degree of grammatical control, but some errors such as 'has' instead of 'had' and missing articles.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire with precise vocabulary use.

General Linguistic Range:

Variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with clear communication of ideas.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear argumentation, though transitions between paragraphs could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

Subscription-based models are constructed to provide content for a fixed duration of time while the subscription is active. Once the subscription expires, the user is not able to avail the services. This type of model is a great alternative for consumers to try the service before fully committing to it. It is highly used to provide educational content by institutions and is now a major platform for entertainment services as well. I agree with the argument of subscription models being a sustainable way of assessing services. This can be understood through examples. For example a student has to prepare for an examination in a month, subscription models for short period of time like a month, 3 months or 6 months, helps consumers to avail those services for the required period of time at a cheaper price. To increase the engagement, models can be designed to provide more services and create loyalty and consumer attachment. It helps users to seek knowledge and enjoy their leisure time in a more feasible manner. Subscription models also promote digitalisation, making it more sustainable. Subscription models are a modern, efficient and effective method to access services. It is a very user-friendly model, that helps consumers avail the services in a sustainable and feasible manner.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, though it could expand further on some points.

Grammar:

Shows a relatively high degree of grammatical control with no errors that would lead to misunderstandings.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire is evident, suitable for the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with clear communication and minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear argumentation, logical paragraphs, and effective use of connective devices.

SCORE 22/26

Nowadays, subscription-based services have become common in education, entertainment and fitness. I believe this is a sustainable way of accessing services because it offers convenience, affordability and regular updates. Firstly, subscription models provide access to a wide range of services at a reasonable monthly cost. Instead of paying a large amount at once, users can spread the expense over time. For example, students can access online learning platforms with updated study material, and services offer thousands of movies and songs for a small monthly fee. Secondly, these services are regularly improved with new features and content. Fitness applications frequently add new workout plans and health tracking tools, encouraging users to stay active. In my experience, using a subscription-based learning platform helped me prepare for exams, which has improved my daily practice tests. Finally, I conclude that the subscription-based model is useful in education and entertainment purposes. It is totally up to us how we use the subscription-based model in our daily lives. I personally believe that the subscription-based model is important in education rather than entertainment purposes.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 1

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with relevant ideas and examples but lacks depth in the conclusion.

Grammar:

Consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of vocabulary for the topic, with no significant lexical shortcomings.

General Linguistic Range:

Uses a variety of expressions and vocabulary appropriately with clear communication.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with a clear argument, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

Subscription-based models have become increasingly common in various sectors such as education, entertainment, and fitness. In my opinion, this is a sustainable and convenient way of accessing services, although it does have some limitations. One major advantage is affordability and flexibility. Instead of paying a large amount upfront, users can pay small monthly fees to access quality services. For example, online learning platforms like Coursera or Skill share allow students to access hundreds of courses for a single subscription. Similarly, entertainment platforms such as Netflix or Spotify provide unlimited access to connect at a reasonable price, making it easier for people to explore diverse interests. Another benefit is continuous updates and innovation. Subscription models encourage companies to keep improving their services to retain customers. Fitness apps, for instance, regularly add new workout programs or features to maintain user engagement. Overall, subscription-based models are sustainable as long as users choose plans wisely and companies maintain transparency and quality. They represent a modern, flexible approach to accessing services in the digital age.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 1

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, though more depth could be added.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire with no evident shortcomings.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with occasional minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear argumentation and logical paragraphs, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 22/26

Subscription-based models have become very common in education, entertainment, and fitness, making them reliable when used wisely. On the positive side, it provides affordability and accessibility, as users do not have to pay large amounts at once and can pay smaller amounts and enjoy the facilities. For example, in education, platforms like Udemy and Coursera allow users to pay a small subscription fee for different courses. Another advantage is the flexibility. Subscription-based models allow users to access the courses or videos anytime they want. They are also provided with the facility of pausing the payment and unpausing, however they want. Subscription-based also makes it efficient as users can access it from any part of the world at any time. However, there are some drawbacks, such as it can become expensive as users might subscribe to multiple places and not utilise all the services provided efficiently. Overall, these models are sustainable, but it also depends on how the users are using them.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 1

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, although it could expand more on the drawbacks.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout.

Vocabulary Range:

Demonstrates a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with clear communication and minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay follows a conventional structure with a clear introduction and conclusion, using connective devices effectively.

SCORE 21/26

Subscription-based models have become an integral part of modern consumer culture, extending far beyond entertainment into education and even in fitness. I believe this model can be sustainable, provided it is implemented with fairness, transparency, and adaptability to consumer needs. One of the key advantages of the subscription services is accessibility. For example, various educational platforms allow leraners to access a vast range of high-quality courses in fraction of the cost of the traditional education. Similarly, streaming services like Spotify or Netflix provides convenience and affordability compared to purchasing movie tickets or individual movies. In the fitness industry, many apps provide personalized plans, flexibility and training for individual without paying large money for gym memberships. However, sustainability depends on value retention and ethical business practices. Many users face "subscription fatigue" as costs accumulate across multiple platforms, sometimes exceeding traditional one-time purchase. Moreover, constant price hikes and restricted content lead to dissatisfaction and cancellations. From a personal point of view, I find subscription models only beneficial when they offer continuous updates, personalization, and genuine value for money, but it's frustrating when companies exploit user dependence for profit. In conclusion, while subscription-based models present a convenient and scalable approach to accessing services, their long-term sustainability relies on maintaining consumer trust and ensuring affordability with quality content over the time

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with relevant ideas and examples, but lacks some depth in argumentation.

Grammar:

There are some grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement and article usage, but they do not lead to misunderstandings.

Spelling:

Contains exactly one spelling error ('leraners' instead of 'learners').

Vocabulary Range:

The essay demonstrates a good command of vocabulary relevant to the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with minor errors that do not obscure meaning.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a clear structure with a logical flow, using paragraphs effectively and connective devices adequately.

SCORE 21/26

The rise of subscription-based models in the recent years has transformed the way we consume content and information. Proponents argue if this a sustainable way of utilising such services. I am in favour of subscription-based models primarily due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. Firstly, there are some really useful resources available on the internet in various sectors such as education and fitness. By subscribing to these services, it helps users with accessing them at a cheaper cost simultaneously. For example, some of these courses are priced at around $200 if purchasing it once, however, if purchased under a subscription, this cost significantly reduces to around $20 per month. This makes such services accessible to people who might not be able to buy the full course. Furthermore, such models make it convenient for users to cancel their subscription at anytime, if they do not like the services. However, if the same users makes a significant investment and ends up disliking the content or services, it leaves them with regret and disappointment. In my own experience, I once bought a fitness course for $300 and didn't end up using it because it wasn't motivated to show up for it everyday. In conclusion, subscription-based models are a good way to try and use services before committing to them long-term. They are cheap and offer convenience which does it make it a viable option for accessing services like education, entertainment and fitness.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, though some points could be expanded further.

Grammar:

The essay shows a relatively high degree of grammatical control with no mistakes leading to misunderstandings.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, effectively dealing with the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

The range of expression is sufficient to articulate ideas clearly, though limitations are evident in conveying more complex ideas.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, using connective devices effectively, though transitions could be smoother.