Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-19

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 7.0)

Online shopping is beginning to rival traditional shopping as the best way to shop in our day-to-day lives. I believe that this trend will continue, and digital shopping will soon be just as important as conventional buying.

On one hand, I believe that old methods of shopping will continue to be a vital source of buying goods, even in the internet age. Firstly, shops are the most traditional means of purchasing products, and not everyone wants or is able to use the online mode instead. For instance, old people or those in rural areas might not have the ability or opportunity to go online, while many of us simply prefer going outside to shop to get a riveting experience even if we do have internet access. Secondly, shops can be trusted as reliable sources of products because they employ professionals who assist in product selection. Finally, many people like the experience of in-person purchase of goods after checking their quality rather than looking them at a computer screen.

However, digital shopping is likely to become as popular as shops for a variety of reasons. The primary reason is that it allows much faster access to items in real-time and wherever we are, and on any gadgets. Another key benefit of electronic shopping compared to in-person is the ability to share product information with other people for discussion, return products if possible and even the option of giving reviews based on our experiences. For example, online purchase on Amazon gives us the option to give reviews which assist other buyers in shopping.

In conclusion, I disagree with the view that online shopping will eventually lead to closure of all shops because I believe that the traditional shops provide satisfying shopping experiences and professional expertise to customers which cannot be overlooked.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the task and maintained a clear position throughout. Your argument is logical, and you have provided relevant reasons to support your disagreement with the prompt. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between the convenience of online shopping and the experiential value of physical stores. To reach a higher band, ensure that your conclusion explicitly restates your position in a more nuanced way, perhaps by acknowledging that while online shopping will grow, physical stores will adapt rather than vanish. Overall, your response is focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Finally', and 'However' to guide the reader through your argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices further; for instance, instead of relying on simple listing words, you could use more sophisticated transitions like 'Furthermore', 'Conversely', or 'In light of this'. Overall, the paragraphing is effective and supports the flow of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'riveting experience', 'professional expertise', and 'digital shopping' are used appropriately. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'online mode' or 'in-person purchase of goods', which could be more naturally phrased. To achieve a higher band, aim to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items and ensure collocations are natural. For example, instead of 'old people', 'the elderly' or 'older generations' would be more formal and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your grammar is generally accurate. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your meaning is always clear. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'looking them at a computer screen' (should be 'looking at them on') and 'online purchase on Amazon' (should be 'purchasing online via Amazon'). To improve, focus on refining your use of prepositions and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement. Your control of punctuation is good, and your sentence variety is sufficient to convey your ideas effectively.

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.