Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-18

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there.

What is your opinion about this?

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

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The shift toward large regional shopping centres at the expense of independent high-street stores is a predominantly negative development. While large malls offer undeniable consumer convenience and competitive pricing, the decline of local businesses inflicts serious, long-term damage on local economies, community cohesion, and environmental sustainability.

The Advantages of Large Shopping Centres

It is important to acknowledge why consumers prefer shopping centres:

Convenience and Variety: Malls act as "one-stop shops" where consumers can buy groceries, clothing, and electronics under one roof, often with amenities like free parking and climate-controlled environments.

Economies of Scale: Large retailers and supermarket chains can leverage buying power to offer lower prices and broader product ranges, helping families stretch their household budgets.

Why the Overall Trend is Negative

Despite these individual benefits, the systemic impact on local communities is detrimental.

1. Economic Vulnerability and Wealth Drain

When customers shop at multinational chains in large malls, a significant portion of profits leaves the local community to satisfy corporate shareholders. Conversely, independent local shops reinvest revenue locally—by sourcing from regional suppliers, hiring local professionals, and paying local rates. When local businesses close, the economic multiplier effect is broken, leaving local high streets with empty storefronts and reduced municipal tax bases.

2. Erosion of Community and Cultural Identity

Local shops serve as vital social anchors. Independent bakeries, tailors, and family-owned groceries foster personal relationships and regular social contact, particularly for older residents. As town centres turn into rows of shuttered shops, communities lose their distinct character and social cohesion, replaced by identical, homogenized shopping complexes that look the same in every city.

3. Environmental and Accessibility Costs

Out-of-town shopping centres are almost universally designed around car ownership. Requiring customers to drive long distances to major retail hubs increases traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Furthermore, it marginalizes non-drivers, low-income families, and the elderly who rely on walking or local public transport to access basic goods.

Conclusion

While large shopping malls deliver convenience and short-term cost savings to individual shoppers, the broader societal impact is negative. The destruction of local high streets weakens local economies, erodes community connection, and encourages car-dependent urban planning. To maintain vibrant, resilient towns, local governments should support independent businesses through tax incentives and urban regeneration projects that encourage residents to shop locally.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt explicitly asks for an opinion on building new homes in the countryside, yet the essay discusses the shift toward large regional shopping centres at the expense of independent high-street stores. Because the student failed to address the actual task question, the score is severely impacted. While the writing itself is well-structured and logical, it does not respond to the specific prompt provided, which is a fundamental requirement for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Despite being off-topic, the essay demonstrates excellent coherence and cohesion. The text is logically organized with clear paragraphing, effective use of headings, and a logical progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'Furthermore', and 'While' are used naturally and accurately to link arguments. The structure is sophisticated, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. If the content had been relevant to the prompt, this would be a high-scoring essay in terms of flow and organization.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is impressive, demonstrating a wide and flexible range. The student uses sophisticated collocations and topic-specific terminology such as 'economic multiplier effect', 'homogenized shopping complexes', 'municipal tax bases', and 'environmental sustainability'. The language is precise and natural throughout, showing a high level of control over word choice and style. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is used with great precision to convey complex ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. The student uses a mix of complex sentence forms, including conditional structures, participial phrases, and varied clause types. Punctuation is used effectively to manage the flow of information. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over grammar is consistent throughout the text. The grammatical complexity is high, and the few minor slips that might exist do not impede communication at all.

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

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