Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-02
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 8.5)
In recent years, online shopping has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and wide range of products. Some people believe that this trend will eventually result in the closure of all physical stores. I disagree with this view because many customers still prefer in-person shopping, and certain businesses cannot be fully replaced by online services.
On the one hand, online shopping offers several advantages. Customers can purchase products at any time without leaving their homes, compare prices easily, and access items from sellers around the world. In addition, online retailers often provide discounts and home delivery, making shopping more convenient and cost-effective. As a result, many people now choose to buy clothes, electronics, and household items online instead of visiting traditional stores.
However, I do not believe that all shops will disappear. Many people enjoy the experience of seeing, touching, or trying products before making a purchase. For example, customers often prefer to try on clothes or test electronic devices to ensure they meet their expectations. Furthermore, businesses such as restaurants, cafés, hair salons, and pharmacies provide services that require a physical location and face-to-face interaction. These establishments cannot be replaced entirely by online shopping.
Another reason is that shopping centres are more than just places to buy goods. They also serve as social spaces where families and friends spend time together. Visiting local shops supports small businesses and strengthens the local economy, which remains important in many communities.
In conclusion, although online shopping will continue to grow and may reduce the number of traditional stores, I do not believe it will cause all shops in towns and cities to close. Physical stores will continue to play an important role by offering services and experiences that online shopping cannot provide.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between retail goods and service-based businesses like restaurants or salons. You provide relevant examples, such as the social aspect of shopping centres, which adds depth to your argument. The response is balanced and logical, covering both the convenience of online shopping and the enduring necessity of physical locations. The conclusion effectively summarises your main points without introducing new information. Overall, this is a well-structured and focused response that meets all the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the advantages of online shopping, moving to the limitations of that model, and finally discussing the social value of physical stores. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition', which help the reader follow your argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural, ensuring that the essay is easy to read and follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'in-person shopping', 'face-to-face interaction', and 'strengthens the local economy' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is generally precise, it is mostly standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations. For instance, instead of 'popular', you might use 'ubiquitous' or 'prevalent'. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional-like structure in 'If... then' scenarios or the use of relative clauses. Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are very few, if any, grammatical errors. The sentence construction is varied, which keeps the writing engaging. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. You have demonstrated a solid grasp of English grammar, which allows your ideas to be expressed clearly and professionally.
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