Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-11

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 6.5)

Online shopping has become increasingly popular among people in recent years due to which it is expected the shops in the towns and cities would be closed permanently. However, I disagree with the view that physical shops would be disappeared.

One main reason why online shopping is becoming popular is because of its convenience. Customers can buy whatever they want and anywhere from the world, just through a few clicks. So, they do not need to visit the shop in person in order to buy different kinds of products. Therefore, they can save the cost of travelling.

Another reason is the variety available in abundance while shopping online in a little amount of time. When people shop online, they can find a considerable amount of products not only in different brands but also in alternative prices. So, they can choose the best one according to their needs and preferences. Due to which, they may save their lots of time.

However, although the online shopping is getting a lot of popularity with each passing day, it cannot replace the offline shopping completely. The reason is that there are still some individuals who like to check the quality by touching the products and also want to try before buying them. Thus, this kinds of shopping experience give them a sense of satisfaction.

In conclusion, even though the popularity of online shopping is understandable, I still believe that replacing in person shops in the cities and towns are not possible due the the services they provide to the customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. The arguments regarding convenience and variety are relevant, and the counter-argument regarding the tactile experience of shopping is well-placed. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the point about 'saving the cost of travelling' could be expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively restates the position, but the overall depth of the response is slightly thin for a Band 7, as the ideas are presented rather than fully extended. It meets the requirements of the task well but lacks the sophistication in development expected at higher levels.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Therefore,' and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, there is some mechanical use of these devices, and some transitions feel slightly repetitive. For example, the use of 'So' at the beginning of sentences is a bit informal and simplistic. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow and elevate the score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'permanently' and 'abundance,' but the range is somewhat limited. Some word choices are slightly unnatural, such as 'alternative prices' (instead of 'competitive prices') and 'this kinds of shopping' (grammatical error). To improve, the student should focus on more precise collocations and a wider range of academic vocabulary to avoid repetitive phrasing like 'online shopping' and 'shops'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. Examples include 'due to which it is expected the shops... would be closed' (awkward phrasing), 'physical shops would be disappeared' (incorrect passive voice), and 'due the the services' (typo). The use of articles and prepositions is occasionally inconsistent. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the accuracy of complex structures and proofreading for minor slips would be beneficial.

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

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