Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-23

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 7.5)

The shift in consumer behavior from purchasing goods at local businesses to frequenting large shopping centers has led to the closure of many small shops. In my opinion, this is a predominantly negative development because it damages local economies and weakens community cohesion, despite offering convenience to shoppers.

On the one hand, large malls provide clear benefits to modern consumers. They serve as one-stop destinations where individuals can access a vast array of global brands, entertainment, and dining options under a single roof. This concentration saves time and often reduces costs due to economies of scale, allowing large chains to offer competitive pricing. For instance, a family can complete their weekly grocery shopping and dine out in one trip, which is highly efficient for busy citizens.

However, the consequences of losing independent shops are severe. Economically, when small businesses close, wealth is centralized into major corporations rather than being recirculated within the neighborhood. This destroys livelihoods for local entrepreneurs and reduce independent employment opportunities. Furthermore, local shops play a vital social role by acting as community hubs. Their disappearance can lead to isolated neighborhoods, particularly affecting elderly resident who may lack the mobility to travel long distances to out-of-town commercial zones. Consequently, the unique character of local high streets is replaced by homogenous corporate developments.

In conclusion, while the rise of large shopping complexes delivers undeniable convenience and variety for consumers, the broader societal impacts are deeply detrimental. The loss of small local shops severely harms community ties and local economic resilience,making this transformation an overall negative trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding economic impact and community cohesion are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning. You successfully balance the opposing view by acknowledging the convenience of malls before refuting it with the broader societal costs. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your stance. To reach a band 9, you could further nuance the discussion by briefly mentioning how local shops might adapt to survive, but as it stands, the response is comprehensive and well-argued.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of malls and the drawbacks of losing local shops is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including sophisticated terms such as 'predominantly', 'homogenous', 'recirculated', and 'resilience'. The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant errors in collocation or spelling that impede communication. While the vocabulary is strong, incorporating a few more idiomatic or less common collocations could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is consistent and allows for a clear expression of complex ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the rise of large shopping complexes delivers...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with only very minor slips, such as 'reduce' instead of 'reduces' (subject-verb agreement) and 'resident' instead of 'residents' (pluralization). These are non-systematic errors that do not hinder understanding. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. The range of structures used is sufficient to convey your arguments clearly and effectively.

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