Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-27
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 5.0)
Nowadays, people have the option of shopping online instead of visiting physical shops or shopping centers. However, I strongly disagree with the view that the growth of online shopping will eventually lead to all shops in towns and cities closing.
Some of individual prefer of shopping online because they find it easy and convienent . It saves time and money also. Many shops gives additional discounts in online shopping. But there are few disadvantages like fitting issues, color issue, material problem, defective items, etc. For example: I ordered online one gown from online "Mango" website. It was not same fitting as I imagined and also not the color. The image of model with gown shown in online has different blue color but when I received it was another shade of blue which I don't like. In addition to that zip is not working , it was stuck. I was really disappointed. This issue will not arise, if I would buy it from store.
uld have been avoided if I had bought the gown from a physical store.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you clearly state your position, the argument is underdeveloped. You provide a personal anecdote about a gown, but you do not explore the broader economic or social reasons why physical shops might survive, such as the 'experience economy' or the need for immediate goods. Because the essay is only 177 words, it remains a partial response that lacks the depth required for a higher band score. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more analysis and examples to reach the required length.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into two short paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is limited. You use some basic cohesive devices like 'However', 'In addition to that', and 'For example', which helps the flow. However, the paragraphing is insufficient due to the short length of the text. The transition between the general argument and the specific example is somewhat abrupt. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly throughout the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is generally functional but limited. You use basic terms like 'easy', 'convenient', and 'disappointed'. There are some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'Some of individual prefer of shopping' (should be 'Some individuals prefer shopping') and 'color issue'. You attempt to describe your shopping experience, but the range of vocabulary is not sufficient to discuss the topic with precision. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more academic or topic-specific vocabulary related to retail, consumer behavior, and economic trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'Many shops gives' (subject-verb agreement), 'The image of model with gown shown in online has different blue color' (missing articles and awkward phrasing), and 'zip is not working' (tense inconsistency). You rely mostly on simple sentence structures. While you attempt a conditional structure at the end, it is slightly awkward ('This issue will not arise, if I would buy it...'). You need to focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and developing more complex, error-free sentence structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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