Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In recent years, many small local shops have closed because customers travel to large shopping centres or malls to do their shopping.

Is this a positive or a negative development?

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

 

Student answer (Band 7.0)

It has been suggested that in this contemporary epoch, a significant number of local retail shops have been closed because customer now prefers to purchase from big malls and shopping complexes. The change in this trend brings various advantages for the customers as the get to choose a wide variety of products with different prices under one roof.

To begin with, local retail shops are small in size and do not carry more options as a result buyers are shifting towards bigger brands with better variety. Shops in the malls are equipped with trial rooms which allow the customer to wear it before purchasing. This option benefits them in choosing the exact dimension of a product as every individual have a different body structure. To add on, famous fashion brands such as Zara and H&M have opened massive outlets which have various discount offers going which eventually help the buyer to choose precisely. To exemplify, in India during festive season almost all the shops in malls conduct big discounts like 50% off and buy one get one free on several products which benefits the customer to buy a high end product on a low cost.

Additionally, shopping malls have a specific floor for food vendors where different cuisines are severed which again is a positive aspect for choosing malls over small local markets. Moreover, other than clothes and food shopping center also provides other basic commodities such as mobile repair shops , furniture and hair salons which allows the customer to have a wide range of variety when visiting. For instance, nowadays, arcade and other playing game zones are also being opened especially for kids who can play their and leaves an opportunity for their parents to shop.

To conclude, buying essentials from shopping malls have numerous benefits and allows the customer to buy and try different brands under one roof.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses the prompt by clearly taking a position that the closure of local shops in favor of malls is a positive development. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the mention of Zara, H&M, and the festive season discounts in India. However, the response is somewhat one-sided; it focuses exclusively on the advantages of malls without acknowledging the negative impact on local communities or small business owners. To reach a higher band, you should briefly address the counter-argument or the negative implications of this trend to provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as variety, convenience, and additional amenities. Cohesive devices like 'To begin with', 'To add on', 'Additionally', and 'To conclude' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing (e.g., 'the get to choose' instead of 'they get to choose'). Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas clearly. Phrases like 'contemporary epoch', 'basic commodities', and 'wide range of variety' show an attempt to use more sophisticated language. However, there are some inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'severed' (likely meant 'served') and 'leaves an opportunity' (which is slightly unnatural). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching the higher bands where more precise and natural vocabulary is expected.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('customer now prefers', 'every individual have', 'shopping center also provides') and minor punctuation or spelling slips. While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of your argument. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic agreement rules and ensuring that plural/singular forms are used consistently throughout your sentences.

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