Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-01

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Concern for the environment is growing rapidly and more and more people are choosing to be 'eco-tourists' - travelling in responsible, environmentally-friendly ways. As a result, the eco-tourism industry is expanding.

To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The rise of online shopping has transformed the retail landscape, sparking debates about the future of physical shopping. While, some argue that this trend will inevitably lead to the closure of all shops in towns and cities, I believe that complete disappearance of physical stores is unlikely.

Firstly, offline stores provide an experience that online shopping cannot replicate. Many consumers enjoy the tactile experience of browsing through products, trying them on, and receiving immediate assistance from sales staff. To cite an example, clothing retailors often benefit from customers trying on garments to assess fit and quality before making a purchase. This sensory experience is vital for many shoppers, particularly for items like clothing, cosmetics, or furniture, where personal preference plays a significant role.

Additionally, hybrid shopping models are emerging, where physical and online shopping complement each other. Many retailors now often services like "click and collect," allowing customers to order online and pick up their purchases in-store. This model combines convenience with the benefits of physical shopping, suggesting that physical shopping will continue to play a vital role. Moreover, sometimes online shopping may cause fraud. For instance, as per the recent survey of Times of India, many fake applications sales branded products, but in reality many customers get duplicate products.

In conclusion, the growth of online shopping may lead to some changes in the retail environment, it is unlikely to result in the complete closure of all physical shops. The unique experiences they offer, along with their role in community engagement, ensure that physical stores will continue to coexist with online platforms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for an opinion on the growth of 'eco-tourism' and its positive or negative impacts. However, the essay discusses the rise of online shopping versus physical retail stores. Because the student failed to address the specific topic provided in the instructions, the task achievement score is significantly impacted. While the essay is structured as a standard argumentative piece, it does not engage with the prompt's subject matter at all. To improve, it is essential to carefully read the prompt and ensure the content directly addresses the specific theme of environmental tourism.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion' helps the flow of ideas. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate. Despite the content being irrelevant to the prompt, the internal organisation of the text is coherent and easy to follow. The progression of ideas within the paragraphs is logical, and referencing is generally clear. If the content were relevant to the prompt, this would be a much higher-scoring essay in terms of structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, showing a range of topic-specific terms related to retail, such as 'tactile experience', 'hybrid shopping models', and 'community engagement'. There are some minor errors, such as 'retailors' (should be 'retailers') and 'applications sales' (should be 'applications sell'). However, the range is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly. The student attempts to use some less common vocabulary, which demonstrates a reasonable level of lexical control, though the choice of words is entirely focused on the wrong topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar and punctuation, with only a few minor errors, such as the comma splice in the introduction ('While, some argue...') and the missing subject/verb agreement in 'many fake applications sales branded products'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammatical control is consistent throughout the text. The student shows an ability to construct complex sentences, which is a positive feature, though the lack of relevance to the prompt remains the primary issue for the overall score.

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