Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-13

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 6.5)

Over the past few years, people have started to shop at big shopping malls instead of buying from nearby local stores. This practice emerged due to the convenience and variety that large shopping centres offer. In my view, it is an overall positive development despite having a few drawbacks.

Firstly, shopping malls are convenient for customers. Buying things from a mall can save additional time, which would otherwise have been wasted shopping at small shops. For instance, you have to go to various shops to buy clothes or shoes if you are shopping at local stores. Whereas you can find all these retail shops in one big mall, which makes the shopping experience seamless. Consequently, customers can be satisfied shopping at a mall rather than a local shop.

Secondly, there is a wide range of varieties one can enjoy in an enormous mall. There are different sorts of activities for people of all age brackets under one roof. For example, kids have a designated play area, whereas families can have quality time together at a food court. However, the prices in a famous shopping mall may skyrocket due to taxes. Moreover, the employment rate can be impacted in the local community whose livelihood depends on local shops. In spite of these problems, the advantages of shopping at large shopping centres exceed the disadvantages.

In conclusion, although the demolition of smaller shops can make the overall shopping experience more expensive and impact the job market in local areas, the advantages of buying goods from larger shopping centres far outweigh the disadvantages owing to the accessibility and range it provides.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position on whether the closure of local shops in favour of shopping malls is a positive or negative development. The writer takes a clear stance in the introduction, stating it is an overall positive development, and maintains this position throughout. Ideas are relevant and supported with explanations, such as the convenience of finding various retail shops in one place and the inclusion of leisure activities for all age brackets. While the negative aspects—such as rising prices due to taxes and the impact on community employment—are briefly acknowledged in the third paragraph, they are integrated well to support the overall evaluation. The task is fully addressed and supported, fitting the Band 7 descriptor well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from introduction to convenience, variety and drawbacks, and finally conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Consequently', and 'In spite of these problems' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing is clear. The logical flow is maintained from start to finish, reflecting the characteristics of a strong performance in coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'overall positive development', 'seamless', 'age brackets', and 'livelihood' show an ability to use less common items with a good awareness of style and collocation. There are some minor limitations, such as using 'varieties' where 'variety' might be more idiomatic ('a wide range of varieties'), but these errors do not impede communication. The lexical choices are adequate and allow the writer to convey their ideas effectively, aligning well with the criteria for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay incorporates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'which would otherwise have been wasted shopping at small shops' and 'although the demolition of smaller shops can make the overall shopping experience more expensive'. There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor slips occur, such as 'the employment rate can be impacted in the local community whose livelihood depends on local shops' (where 'impacted' is slightly awkward in collocation and passive voice construction), but these do not hinder comprehension. The mix of simple and complex forms is well handled.

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