Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-13

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 4.0)

In recent times, shopping through applications is a preferred choice of many people. Growing demand of online shopping in many cities and towns might take over all the shops in the coming future. In my opinion, I completely agree with the statement that virtual shopping which is in-demand nowadays, may overlap the city shops.In this essay, I will support my opinion.

First and foremost,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You state a clear position: “I completely agree” that online shopping may replace city shops, and the opening identifies the topic. However, the response stops after “First and foremost,” so it gives no supporting reason, relevant example, or developed explanation. As a result, it addresses the question only minimally and does not fulfil the instruction to explain your view. The response is also 186 words below the required minimum, leaving too little space to develop the argument. To improve, complete the essay with at least two relevant reasons, explain how each supports your position, and include a specific example. You could also consider whether all types of shops would be affected equally before reaching a conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The opening moves in a recognisable order: it introduces online shopping, presents the possibility that it may replace physical shops, and then states your opinion. The phrase “In my opinion” makes your position easy to identify. However, the response ends with the unfinished transition “First and foremost,” and therefore has no developed body paragraph, conclusion, or overall progression beyond the introduction. The sentence “In this essay, I will support my opinion” also announces a plan without carrying it out. Build a clear structure with an introduction, separate paragraphs for your reasons and examples, and a conclusion. Use linking expressions to show relationships between complete ideas rather than leaving a signpost unsupported.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use several topic-related expressions, including “online shopping,” “virtual shopping,” and “city shops,” so the subject is clear. There is also an attempt to vary wording rather than repeat one phrase throughout. However, some choices are unnatural or imprecise: “Growing demand of online shopping” would be more idiomatic as “growing demand for online shopping,” while “overlap the city shops” does not clearly express the idea of replacing or causing shops to close. “In-demand nowadays” is also awkward in this context. Because the response is very short, it offers little evidence of a broader vocabulary range or precise use across an argument. Aim for accurate collocations and use topic-specific terms such as “brick-and-mortar retailers” or “physical stores” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Your response includes both simple statements and a more complex sentence beginning “I completely agree with the statement that…,” and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited, and the short response provides little evidence of sustained control. In “In my opinion, I completely agree with the statement that virtual shopping … may overlap the city shops,” the sentence is difficult to follow partly because the clause structure does not express the intended relationship clearly. There is also a missing space after the full stop in “shops.In this essay,” and “First and foremost,” is left as an incomplete sentence. Practise completing sentences and linking clauses accurately, then proofread punctuation and spacing. Developing the essay would also allow you to demonstrate a wider range of structures.

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