Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-26

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)

In today's competitive era, many local stores are closing as customers increasingly prefer to shop at large shopping malls and retail stores. I believe that this trend can harm the country's economy because it reduces employment opportunities and may contribute to higher inflation. In this essay, I will explain why I hold this position.

To begin with, people often prefer large shopping malls because they provide a one-stop shopping experience. Customers can purchase a wide range of products in one location, saving time and transportation costs. Moreover, large shopping centres often offer greater discounts than local stores, which attracts more customers. For example, large stores frequently offer discounts during festivals and special events, which can encourage people to shop there and increase their profits.

However, the closure of local stores can have negative effects on the economy. Small businesses provide employment opportunities to local residents, so when these stores close, many people may lose their jobs. Furthermore, local businesses contribute to the economy by paying taxes and purchasing goods and services from other businesses. For instance, a small grocery store may employ several local people and purchase products from local suppliers. If the store closes, both the employees and suppliers may experience financial difficulties.

In conclusion, although people prefer large shopping malls because they offer convenience and attractive discounts, the closure of local stores can negatively affect employment and the wider economy. Therefore, I believe that the decline of small businesses can have significant economic consequences.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student addresses the prompt effectively by discussing whether the closure of local shops due to shopping malls is a positive or negative development, clearly stating a position that it is a negative trend. The ideas are relevant and supported with explanations regarding the economy, employment, and inflation. However, the response has a minor negative impact on Task Achievement due to the length requirement not being met, as the text contains 246 words, falling just short of the 250-word minimum threshold. Despite this slight under-length penalty, the core elements of the task are well covered, with a clear line of argument maintained throughout the essay. Because of the word count penalty, the score is adjusted appropriately to reflect this minor constraint.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression throughout. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, each serving a distinct purpose: an introduction, a body paragraph acknowledging the appeal of malls, a body paragraph explaining the negative economic impacts of local store closures, and a summary conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately to connect ideas, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is generally clear, with phrases like 'these stores' and 'the store' effectively linking back to previously mentioned subjects. While referencing and paragraphing are handled well, paragraph transitions and cohesive devices can occasionally feel slightly formulaic, keeping the response at a solid Band 7 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, such as 'competitive era', 'employment opportunities', 'one-stop shopping experience', and 'financial difficulties'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in expressions like 'contribute to the economy' and 'wider economy'. There are occasional instances where vocabulary is slightly repetitive or standard, but word choice remains natural and communication is never impeded. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the response. The control of vocabulary comfortably aligns with the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms. The student successfully incorporates subordinate clauses, such as 'while people prefer large shopping malls because they offer convenience and attractive discounts' and 'when these stores close, many people may lose their jobs.' The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the text. While minor slips or repetitive sentence patterns occasionally occur, there are frequent error-free sentences that demonstrate good overall control of grammar. This performance fully meets the criteria for Band 7.

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