Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-04
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 7.5)
The Rapid growth of online shopping has changed the way of purchasing goods. It is commonly believed that this trend would become a reason of closure of all physical stores in towns and cities. I disagree that it would lead to the shutdown of all shops. However, I think it could be true that online shopping will expand, but brick-and-mortar shops will remain important for several reasons.
On one hand, physical shops will provide benefits that the online shopping experience cannot fully replace. Many customers prefer to purchase products after careful enquiry by touching the product for texture and feel, considering physical appearance for looks and seeing the related combinations. For example, when people buy clothes or shoes, they often tend to check size, quality and comfort. Additionally, physical stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies provide immediate access to service to everyday necessities without delays or waits for delivery.
Another main reason is that shopping centers serve as a social space where people get socialized spend quality or free time with family. For some, shopping is a hobby and going on a shopping spree in physical locations could be an enjoyable activity that could make them relax and broaden their horizon. Moreover, some designers or artists hesitate to display their expensive and unique artwork on online sites to prevent duplicates. For instance, tailored high-end clothing items mostly worn by celebrities are designed for a special appearance and are not available to the public for online shopping.
On the opposite side, online shopping offers several advantages. It is convenient, saves time and allows customers to compare prices on different sites with a few clicks without leaving home. One can order items online directly to their doorstep without spending time searching it around. For example, people with a busy schedule often shop for groceries on online sites which saves quality time for other purposes and they do not have to search for each item.
Overall, although it is quite easy to use online platforms for shopping and may reduce the number of traditional stores in the future, I believe that this practice would not be able to close all the shops in towns and cities. Physical stores will continue serving the unmatched experience that online sites cannot.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the points regarding the sensory experience of physical shopping and the social aspect of retail spaces. The inclusion of relevant examples, such as the mention of high-end tailored clothing and the convenience of online grocery shopping, supports the ideas effectively. The essay is balanced, acknowledging the benefits of online shopping while successfully refuting the idea that physical stores will disappear entirely. The response is well-structured and fully satisfies the requirements of the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the arguments for physical stores and the counter-arguments for online shopping is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'Additionally', 'Moreover', and 'On the opposite side' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is logical and consistent. While some transitions are standard, they are used accurately and contribute to the overall flow of the argument, ensuring that the reader can follow the writer's line of reasoning without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise. The writer uses topic-specific terminology such as 'brick-and-mortar', 'tailored', and 'online platforms' appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is mostly successful. However, there are minor issues with collocation and phrasing, such as 'get socialized' (better: 'socialize') and 'searching it around' (better: 'searching for items'). Despite these minor inaccuracies, the range of vocabulary is adequate to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar, and the majority of sentences are error-free. Some minor errors persist, such as 'become a reason of closure' (should be 'reason for the closure') and 'save quality time for other purposes' (slightly awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally accurate. The grammatical errors present do not impede communication or cause confusion. The writer demonstrates a solid command of sentence construction, which is sufficient for a high band score.
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