Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26
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 6.0)
Online shopping has become increasingly popular which could become the reason to close all shops in towns and cities. Online shopping made easy to select deals, discounts and browse multiple options for just scrolling remotely. However, I disagree with the statement provided, because online shopping cannot provide a tangible connection with culture and sense of physical involvement.
Shopping in stores is not only spending money for goods but also provide social interaction and enhances mental well being. People who work in IT often look out to spend time in real world because digital dependence undermines critical thinking and social engagement; they seek social interaction and places for shopping solve the purpose. For example, shops in neighbourhood are seen rendezvous for most of the people. As a result, retail stores and malls are best place to spend time.
On the other hand, online stores provide enormous selection of goods and services at one place making shopping easy and budget friendly. Stores over the internet doesn’t need a visual merchandisers and showrooms which results in cheap deals. Additionally, people can have their hands on the global market and get the things delivered despite sitting at oceans apart. For example, China does most of its business in North American market by selling goods online and people pay for it due to high standard products and easy trade.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position against the total closure of physical shops. However, the essay is under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the argument. While you provide relevant points regarding social interaction and the benefits of online shopping, the development is somewhat brief. To improve, you should expand on your examples—for instance, explaining how local shops act as community hubs in more detail—and ensure you provide a concluding paragraph that synthesises your arguments and restates your position clearly. The current structure lacks a formal conclusion, which is necessary for a fully developed response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Additionally', and 'As a result' to link your thoughts. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and the lack of a concluding paragraph makes the overall structure feel incomplete. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect sentences and paragraphs more fluidly. Referencing could also be improved to ensure that the transition between the benefits of physical stores and the convenience of online shopping is smoother.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'tangible connection', 'social engagement', and 'visual merchandisers'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'look out to spend time' (should be 'look to spend time') and 'solve the purpose' (should be 'serve the purpose'). Additionally, the phrase 'oceans apart' is slightly awkward in this context. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure that your vocabulary choices are consistently natural. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary related to economics or urban planning would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'online shopping made easy to select' (should be 'makes it easy to select') and 'stores over the internet doesn’t need' (subject-verb agreement error: 'do not need'). There are also minor punctuation and article usage errors. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences will help you move into the higher bands.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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