Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-24

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)

Nowadays, numerous small stores are facing closure due to a lack of customers, who choose to make their purchases in larger shopping centers and malls instead. Although I concede that there are some positive aspects to this trend, I fundamentally believe it is generally an unfavorable development.

On the one hand, when comparing large and small marketplaces, the lower demand in smaller ones is understandable, considering several factors. To begin with, people prefer shopping at malls because they offer access to a wide variety of items all in one place. Thus, customers do not have to travel from one side of the city to another just to obtain a specific product. Additionally, it is often claimed that stores in shopping centers offer generous sales and discounts on products that are otherwise expensive, as well as a broader choice of items.

Nevertheless, I believe this development has significant drawbacks compared to shopping centers. Firstly, in small stores, the owners or employees mostly build warm, long-term relationships with customers; each client receives more personalized service. Secondly, large stores tend to set trends and often sell overpriced products. As a result, competition in the industry is reduced, and the market moves closer to a monopoly.

Furthermore, owning a small shop usually means running a small business. The owners, who rely entirely on their businesses for income, may go bankrupt and lose their primary source of livelihood and employment.

In conclusion, although the wide availability of products in shopping centers might seem beneficial for consumers, I am generally convinced that it is a detrimental trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have clearly addressed the prompt by identifying the trend as a negative development. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. You provide relevant reasons for both the popularity of malls (convenience, variety) and the importance of local shops (personalized service, economic impact). However, the development of your ideas is somewhat brief. For instance, the point about monopolies could be further expanded with a concrete example to reach a higher band. Overall, you have fulfilled all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', 'Nevertheless', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the convenience of malls and the negative impact on local businesses is well-connected. The structure is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'fundamentally believe', 'unfavorable development', and 'primary source of livelihood' are used effectively. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, such as 'monopoly' and 'detrimental'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the context, it lacks the consistent sophistication or idiomatic control required for the highest bands. Nevertheless, the language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly without error.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Your control over grammar is strong, with very few errors. For example, your use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although I concede that...', 'The owners, who rely entirely on...') shows good syntactic control. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentences are well-constructed. The writing is error-free for the most part, which allows for clear communication of your ideas throughout the response.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.