Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

ChatGPT said:

Here is a 250-word IELTS-style response:

Writing

The rapid growth of online shopping has changed the way people purchase goods, and some people believe that it will eventually cause all physical shops in towns and cities to close. I disagree with this view because, although online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, traditional shops still offer important advantages.

One major reason why physical stores will continue to exist is that many customers prefer to see and test products before buying them. For example, when purchasing clothes, shoes, or furniture, people often want to check the size, quality, colour, and comfort in person. This is particularly important for expensive products, where customers may be unwilling to rely entirely on photographs and online reviews.

Another reason is that shops provide immediate access to products and personal customer service. Online orders can take several days to arrive, whereas a customer can visit a local shop and buy something immediately. In addition, some people enjoy shopping as a social activity. Shopping centres, cafés, and restaurants can provide entertainment and opportunities to meet friends, which online shopping cannot completely replace.

Admittedly, online shopping is likely to cause some traditional shops to disappear, especially those selling products that are easy to compare and purchase online. For instance, many people now buy books, electronics, and household items through websites because they can often find lower prices and greater variety.

In conclusion, online shopping will probably reduce the number of physical shops, but it is unlikely to eliminate them completely. I believe the future will involve both online and traditional shopping, with physical stores adapting to provide experiences and services that websites cannot offer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. The student explores the limitations of online shopping, such as the inability to test products, and highlights the social and immediate benefits of physical stores. The ideas are well-developed and logically extended, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the impact of e-commerce while maintaining a firm stance. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and provides a forward-looking perspective. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. The use of cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another reason', 'In addition', and 'Admittedly' is effective and natural. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is easy to follow, and the relationship between ideas is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is appropriate and precise for the topic. The student demonstrates a good range of vocabulary, including terms like 'increasingly popular', 'immediate access', 'eliminate', and 'adapting'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9 level. However, the word choice is consistently natural and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although online shopping is becoming increasingly popular', 'where customers may be unwilling'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The variety of sentence forms is sufficient to demonstrate control, and the writing is clear and error-free, which supports the overall readability of the essay.

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