Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The growth of online shopping will one day lead to all shops in towns and cities closing.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Nowadays, many people prefer to shop online because it is easy and saves time. Some people believe that online shopping will replace all traditional shops in the future. However, I disagree with this idea because many people still enjoy visiting shops and buying things in person.

Firstly, online shopping is very easy and saves time. People can buy different things while sitting at home. They do not need to travel to shopping malls or stand in long lines for payment. For example, people can easily order clothes, shoes, food, and electronic items using their mobile phones. Also, many online websites offer good discounts.

Secondly, some people do not know how to use online shopping websites, especially older people. They feel more comfortable visiting local shops. Another benefit is that customers can take their products home immediately instead of waiting for delivery.

However, I believe that traditional shops will not disappear. There are many people who like to visit shops and buy things in person. They want to touch and check the products before buying them. For example, when people buy clothes, they like to check the size, color and quality. They can also try the clothes before paying for them.

In my experience, I like visiting shopping malls because I can see different products and compare prices. However, sometimes I also prefer online shopping because it saves time.

In conclusion, I believe that online shopping will become more popular in the future, but traditional shops will not close permanently. Both ways of shopping are useful, and people will continue to use them according to their needs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear from the introduction to the conclusion: you disagree that online shopping will close all physical shops, while acknowledging that online shopping will grow. You address both sides with relevant reasons, including convenience and discounts online, and the ability to inspect or try products in person. The clothing example supports your central argument well. This meets the task effectively, and the personal experience adds a relevant perspective. However, some points are asserted rather than fully explained: for instance, saying older people may not know how to use websites would be stronger with a brief explanation of how this affects their shopping choices. Develop a few reasons more fully and connect each example explicitly to why shops will remain open.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate discussion of online shopping and physical shops, personal experience, and a conclusion that restates your view. Paragraphing helps the reader follow the argument, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “In conclusion” make the sequence easy to understand. Cohesion is sometimes mechanical, however, because several paragraphs begin with formulaic transitions and ideas are often presented as a list. The paragraph beginning “Secondly” also shifts from older customers to immediate access to products without explaining the connection. Use a wider range of linking methods and make relationships between points clearer—for example, explain how immediate access is especially valuable when a purchase is urgent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for expressing the main ideas, and phrases such as “traditional shops,” “discounts,” “delivery,” and “compare prices” are relevant and generally clear. The reader can understand your argument throughout. However, the range is limited by repeated everyday wording, especially “easy,” “people,” “buy,” and “things.” Some expressions are broad rather than precise, such as “different things” and “good discounts,” which makes the discussion less specific. Aim to use more varied, accurate language for shopping habits and customer needs, while avoiding unnecessarily complicated words. More precise choices would help you explain the contrast between online convenience and the advantages of in-person shopping with greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and many sentences are accurate and easy to follow. For example, “They want to touch and check the products before buying them” uses a clear infinitive structure, while “because it saves time” gives a straightforward reason. Your control is generally good, and grammatical issues do not interfere with the message. The main limitation is that sentence patterns are often simple and repetitive, with several statements beginning “They” or “People.” To strengthen your range, combine related ideas using clauses of contrast, condition, or result, while maintaining accuracy. For instance, you could explain that although online orders are convenient, customers may prefer shops when they need to inspect an item before purchasing it.

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