Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-07

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 led many people to believe that traditional stores will eventually disappear from towns and cities. However, I disagree with this view because in-person shopping continues to offer unique benefits that online platforms cannot fully replicate.

It is widely acknowledged that the growth of online shopping has brought significant benefits to consumers, leading many people to rely less on traditional stores. To begin with, this mode of shopping offers great convenience because consumers can order products whenever they want without having to visit physical stores. With just a few clicks on a smartphone or computer, products can be delivered directly to consumers' doorsteps, saving time and effort. Moreover, online shopping often has more competitive prices because businesses can minimize overhead costs, including store rent and employee wages. Simultaneously, consumers have access to discount vouchers and promotional campaigns, helping consumers save money. Another advantage is that online platforms provide a wide range of products from many different brands. Consumers can easily compare prices, quality and products suitable for users. As a result, more and more people are turning to online shopping, causing many traditional stores to lose customers and eventually be forced to close down.

However, I disagree with the idea that the growth of online shopping will lead to the disappearance of traditional stores. Firstly, some products need to be experienced in person before purchase. Regarding clothes, shoes and furniture, customers want to check the size, material, colour and actual quality to ensure that the product meets their needs. This is especially important as pictures and descriptions on online platforms do not accurately represent the actual product, as a result, consumers may receive items that differ from what they expected, thereby having to go through the time-consuming process of returning products. So, many people choose to visit physical stores when buying products and need to assess through first-hand experience. Furthermore, some traditional stores play a role in offering services and meeting the immediate needs of customers, which online shopping cannot fully replace. For example, supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies allow consumers to purchase and use products immediately instead of waiting for the delivery process. Moreover, places such as restaurants, cafes or hair salons not only offer products but also provide experiences and services for consumers. Therefore, although online shopping will undoubtedly continue to grow and some traditional stores will close down, this cannot completely replace offline stores in the future.

In conclusion, while online shopping may reduce the number of traditional stores, it is unlikely to replace them entirely because offline shopping continues to offer unique benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear, consistent position throughout. You have provided a balanced argument by acknowledging the benefits of online shopping while effectively refuting the idea that it will lead to the total closure of physical stores. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between retail goods that require physical inspection and services that rely on immediate, in-person experiences. To reach a higher band, ensure that the conclusion does not merely repeat the introduction but synthesizes the main points more robustly to reinforce your stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Moreover,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be more sophisticated. For instance, the link between the first and second body paragraphs is functional but could be smoother. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is logical and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'minimize overhead costs,' 'first-hand experience,' and 'replicate' are used effectively. There is an awareness of style and collocation, though some word choices are slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'products' and 'consumers.' To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms or idiomatic expressions related to the retail industry to enhance the sophistication of your writing. The vocabulary is accurate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with good control. Most sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. There are occasional minor slips, such as the comma splice in the second paragraph ('...represent the actual product, as a result, consumers may receive...'), which should be corrected with a semicolon or a full stop. However, these errors are infrequent and do not cause difficulty for the reader. You show a good command of complex structures, which supports a solid band score in this criterion.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.