Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-25
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 8.0)
Online shopping has become increasingly popular because it offers consumers convenience, competitive prices, and a wider variety of products. Some people believe that this trend will eventually cause all physical shops in towns and cities to disappear. However, I disagree with this view because many businesses and customers still value the benefits of traditional stores.
On the one hand, online shopping has significantly changed consumer behavior. People can compare prices, read customer reviews, and purchase products from anywhere at any time. In addition, home delivery saves both time and effort, making online platforms especially attractive for busy individuals. As a result, many retailers have experienced declining in-store sales, and some small businesses have been forced to close due to strong competition from major e-commerce companies such as Amazon.
On the other hand, it is unlikely that all physical shops will disappear. Many products, including fresh food, clothing, and furniture, are often easier to purchase in person because customers prefer to examine their quality, size, or comfort before buying. Furthermore, shopping centers provide social experiences that cannot be replicated online. Families and friends often enjoy visiting malls, restaurants, and entertainment facilities together. Local stores also contribute to employment opportunities and help create vibrant communities, making them an important part of urban life.
In conclusion, although online shopping will continue to expand and reduce the number of some traditional stores, I do not believe it will completely replace physical shops. Both online and offline retail offer unique advantages, and they are likely to coexist in the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, particularly the distinction between the convenience of online shopping and the social/experiential value of physical stores. The ideas are extended with logical reasoning and examples, such as the mention of Amazon and the social role of shopping malls. The conclusion effectively summarises the main points and provides a balanced final thought. The response meets all requirements of the task, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and providing a coherent, well-supported argument.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of the argument is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this category.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'consumer behavior', 'e-commerce', 'replicated', and 'vibrant communities'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While there is a minor error in 'declining in-store sales' (which is grammatically acceptable but could be more naturally phrased as 'a decline in in-store sales'), the overall range is good. The student demonstrates an ability to use less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation, which is consistent with a band 7 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional-like reasoning ('if... then' implied) and subordinate clauses ('although online shopping will continue...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is accurate. There is a high level of control over grammar, with only very minor slips. The sentence structures are varied, contributing to the overall fluency of the writing. The grammatical accuracy is strong, and the complexity of the sentences is sufficient to meet the requirements for a band 7 or 8, showing a solid command of English grammar.
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