Write your own answer first40 minutes and at least 250 words, like the real test. Use the editor below, then compare with the Band 8 model essay.
This is a practice question for IELTS Writing Task 2.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task and write at least 250 words.
Write about the following topic#
More and more people are choosing to shop online rather than in traditional shops. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
This is an advantages and disadvantages essay. For the structure and useful language, see our advantages and disadvantages essay guide.
Sample answer outline#
- Introduction: paraphrase the trend + your judgement (the advantages outweigh the disadvantages)
- Body paragraph 1: the disadvantages (impact on high streets and local jobs; packaging and delivery emissions)
- Body paragraph 2: the advantages and why they matter more (convenience, price, access for people who cannot easily travel)
- Conclusion: repeat your judgement
Essay practice editor
Model answer (Band 8 style)
Write your own answer first, then compare structure and vocabulary. Task 2 · 271 words.
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Over the past decade, online shopping has grown rapidly, and in many countries a large share of everyday purchases is now made through websites and apps rather than in physical shops. Although this trend has some serious drawbacks, I believe its advantages are greater.
The main disadvantage of online shopping is its effect on town centres. As customers move online, many small shops have closed, leaving empty high streets and fewer local jobs. This also affects the social life of communities, since shopping streets have traditionally been places where people meet. In addition, online retail creates large amounts of packaging waste, and home deliveries add to traffic and emissions, particularly when customers return items frequently.
However, these problems are outweighed by the benefits for consumers. The most obvious is convenience: people can buy almost anything at any time, without travelling or queuing, which saves a considerable amount of time for busy workers and parents. Online shopping also makes it easy to compare prices and read reviews, so consumers can make better-informed decisions and often pay less. Perhaps most importantly, it has improved access for people who find shopping difficult, such as elderly or disabled people and those living in rural areas far from large stores. For these groups, online shopping is not merely convenient but a genuine improvement in independence. Moreover, the environmental impact could be reduced through better delivery planning and recyclable packaging.
In conclusion, while the decline of traditional shops and the waste created by deliveries are real concerns, I believe the convenience, lower prices and greater accessibility of online shopping make it a largely positive development overall.
Task Response
The question asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the essay answers it directly in the introduction and conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion
The weaker side (disadvantages) comes first, so body 2 builds towards the writer’s judgement (*However, these problems are outweighed by…*).
Lexical Resource
*high streets*, *better-informed decisions*, *a genuine improvement in independence*, *considerable amount of time*.
Grammatical Range
Relative clauses, participle phrases (*leaving empty high streets*) and a passive modal (*could be reduced*).
Want your own writing scored? With Worddemy Pro, paste it into the app and get a band score with feedback on all four criteria.
Evaluation criteria#
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
For more practice, try Taking a Gap Year and Children and Smartphones, or browse all Writing Task 2 topics.