IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1195 - Shopping malls are great places to spend leisure time
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
For many, shopping malls are great places to spend their leisure time and meet others. People, however, in the past mostly visited shopping malls when necessary.
Why is this the case?
Is this a positive or a negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
Shopping malls have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, evolving from mere retail centers to multifaceted destinations for leisure and socializing. This essay will explore the reasons behind this shift in people's behaviour, and explain why this is a positive development.
Several factors have contributed to the increased popularity of shopping malls as leisure destinations. One key factor is the changing consumer culture, driven by advancements in technology and globalization. The rise of e-commerce has made traditional brick-and-mortar stores less appealing for basic shopping needs. As a result, shopping malls have adapted by diversifying their offerings to attract customers. Furthermore, shopping malls now provide a wide array of entertainment options, such as cinemas, arcades, and recreational activities. These attractions, combined with the convenience of having various stores under one roof, have made shopping malls more appealing for leisure activities and socializing. For example, in the past, people primarily visited shopping malls when they needed to purchase specific items. However, with the integration of entertainment and social spaces within malls, individuals now have more reasons to visit these establishments beyond shopping.
The shift towards using shopping malls as leisure destinations can be viewed as a positive development. First and foremost, these establishments provide a centralized and controlled environment for social interactions. They offer a safe and comfortable space where people can meet, dine, and engage in recreational activities. Moreover, shopping malls serve as catalysts for community engagement and cultural exchange. They often host events, exhibitions, and performances that celebrate local traditions and showcase diverse cultures. This creates opportunities for individuals to learn, appreciate, and connect with others from different backgrounds.
In conclusion, the transformation of shopping malls into leisure destinations is a result of changing consumer preferences and the need for adaptation in the retail industry. While this shift may deviate from the traditional purpose of shopping malls, it offers several positive aspects such as providing a safe and diverse social environment, promoting community engagement, and facilitating cultural exchange.
Model Answer 2:
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the perception and usage of shopping malls. While they were previously primarily visited for practical purposes, such as purchasing essential items, they have now become popular destinations for leisure and social interaction. This essay will delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon and discuss that it is a negative development.
One of the key factors contributing to the change in people's behaviour towards shopping malls is the evolving concept of retail spaces. Modern malls are designed to offer a wide range of entertainment options, including cinemas, restaurants, and recreational activities, transforming them into vibrant social hubs. These enhanced amenities and experiences make shopping malls more appealing for leisure activities, attracting individuals who seek entertainment and a sense of community. Additionally, the convenience and convenience associated with shopping malls have also played a significant role in their increased popularity. With the availability of various stores and services under one roof, people can accomplish multiple tasks, such as shopping, dining, and entertainment, in a single visit.
As for the assessment of this trend, it can be argued that the shift towards viewing shopping malls as recreational spaces is negative. The growing popularity of shopping malls for leisure purposes may lead to excessive consumerism and materialistic tendencies. In some cases, people may prioritize recreational activities and socializing over more meaningful engagements or cultural experiences. This can result in a shallow and superficial approach to leisure time, overshadowing other valuable pursuits and personal growth opportunities.
In conclusion, the shifting perception of shopping malls from purely utilitarian spaces to leisure destinations can be attributed to the enhanced amenities and convenience they offer. It is a negative development because it fosters consumerism and superficial leisure pursuits.
Sample Answer 3:
Shopping malls, these days, are considered major recreational spots by many while most people used to visit them for necessity in the past. There are several reasons why modern shopping centres have become an important spot for people's leisure activities. This new trend has many negative impacts on people and society as a whole so should be treated as a negative trend.
Modern shopping complexes have become an epicentre for people's social gatherings and recreations for several reasons. First, they offer many amenities and shoppers tend to enjoy roaming around different markets both for purchasing what they like and socialising. For instance, many pupils prefer to meet up in a shopping mall, watch a movie and later have snacks in the food court. They say this reduces the stress of the exams and makes them relaxed. Besides, with the decline of open places and parks, many families gather at large shopping malls to enjoy their holidays.
As a consequence, the young generation tends to forget the beauty of nature and the stress relief provided by the outdoor world. This drains out the energy of the youth and makes them lethargic. For example, a walk in a park or a day on a beach refreshes the soul more evidently than a day in a mall. Besides, due to the excessive affection towards shopping, many people become shopaholics and get into debt.
To conclude, citizens should not spend their free time in shopping malls as there are better alternatives. It is hoped that people will go to a shopping mall to do essential shopping but spend their free time outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature and take part in open-air activities
[Written by Kanika]
The main reason why I believe shopping plazas are not the right place to hang out with family and friends is that it is a wastage of money and time. There is a difference between "want" and "need". In the past, people used to visit shopping malls to fulfil their basic necessities such as buying groceries or clothing items. The action was purely need-based. In contrast to this, today’s visitors’ purpose of visiting a shopping mall is typically "want"-based. Young adults visit shopping malls to take selfies, create TikTok videos, go on a blind date or maybe have a quick meet with friends. These kinds of malls are equipped with junk food points and unnecessary expensive brands. For instance, due to peer pressure, young adults or adults often purchase items that are not necessary to them. Hence, spending time in retail plazas is not a good idea for the perfect weekend plan.
Another reason why I support the notion that shopping centres are not the place to spend free time is due to the fact that it leads to creating a negative societal impact. These types of malls are constructed considering all kinds of visitors. Thus, we can see a disturbing picture of a family where the father is busy on the phone while having coffee at a café, the mother is enjoying shopping and the children are busy in the game zone. It has created an unseen gap between the bonds of today’s modern family.
In conclusion, I completely agree with this fact that shopping malls should not be considered as a place for spending free time because it is a wastage of money and time as well as it could disturb interpersonal relations and family life. It seems that people should prefer to visit public open places to meet others and spend leisure time.
To what extent do you think this is a negative trend?
Sample Answer:
Many people, these days, consider shopping malls and shopping plazas as excellent places for relaxing and social gathering. However, in the past, people used to go to shopping centres when they absolutely needed to purchase something. To a certain extent, I would agree that a shopping complex is good for leisure activities, but the trend brings more negatives consequences to our society without any doubt.
It is a fact that people are spending more time in shopping malls nowadays compared to the past as those places provide many entertainment and culinary experiences. Many marketplaces offer one-stop shopping and entertainment experiences as they provide supermarkets, eateries, entertainment zones, fitness centres, and cinemas under a single roof. People go to those places not for shopping anymore, but they socialize, exercise and dine in. It is opposite to what people did in the past and considered advantageous by many.
But, hanging out in supermarkets without real needs has more negative consequences. Firstly, the trend has made people more consumptive than ever. With various discounts that are being offered, lots of people are consuming things that they do not really need. Secondly, as shopping malls provide comfortable indoor facilities such as air conditioner, escalators and so on, people prefer to spend more time indoors rather than outdoors. Moreover, these shopping malls, often rig our money without us noticing as we hardly compare price. As we start spending more on purchasing unnecessary items, we would soon find us in financial trouble.
In conclusion, the purpose of visiting shopping centres has indeed changed nowadays than at any time in the past. I personally believe that the trend has more negative effects on people's lives as they become more consumptive, do less outdoor activities and live beyond their means.
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