IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1283 - The growth of online shopping will lead to all shops closing
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
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.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Disagreement]
In recent years, online shopping has become increasingly popular, leading to concerns that traditional brick-and-mortar shops will eventually disappear from towns and cities. While it is true that online shopping has many advantages and will be more prevalent in the future, I do not believe that it will lead to the extinction of physical stores.
One reason why I disagree with this idea is that many people still prefer to shop in person, and this trend will continue in the future. For instance, some individuals may want to try on clothes or see products in person before purchasing them. Moreover, shopping can also be a social activity, allowing people to spend time with friends or family while browsing the aisles of a store. While online shopping may be convenient, it cannot provide the same kind of experience as shopping in person.
Furthermore, there are some goods and services that simply cannot be provided online. For example, certain types of food, like fresh produce, are best bought in person to ensure quality and freshness. Additionally, some services, like haircuts or medical treatments, require physical presence and cannot be completed online. As such, there will always be a need for physical stores to provide these goods and services.
In conclusion, while online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, I do not believe that it will lead to the closure of all traditional stores all over the country. There will always be a demand for physical shopping experiences, as well as for goods and services that cannot be provided online.
Sample Answer 2: [Agreement]
The rise of online shopping has undoubtedly transformed the way people make purchases. With the convenience and accessibility it offers, some argue that traditional shops will eventually become obsolete, leading to the closure of all physical stores in towns and cities. This essay presents arguments supporting the notion that it could indeed lead to the closure of physical shops one day.
One of the primary reasons behind this is the increasing popularity of online shopping. It offers unparalleled convenience to consumers. With just a few clicks, shoppers can browse through a vast range of products from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to travel to physical stores. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of online shopping when restrictions and lockdowns prompted people to rely heavily on e-commerce platforms to meet their needs. This shift in consumer behaviour accelerated the growth of online shopping and demonstrated its potential to replace traditional shopping methods in the future.
Not only does online shopping benefit consumers, but it also offers advantages to retailers. E-commerce platforms allow businesses to reach a global customer base, expanding their market reach beyond local boundaries. A small artisanal business that sells handmade crafts can now showcase and sell its products to customers worldwide through online marketplaces, a feat that would have been challenging or impossible with a physical store in a local town or city. Due to these benefits, many businesses will run online rather than renting a physical store.
In conclusion, the growth of online shopping is a powerful trend that is reshaping the retail landscape. The convenience and accessibility it offers to consumers, coupled with the advantages it brings to retailers, make it a formidable force in the market. It is evident that online shopping will continue to thrive and evolve in the coming years replacing the need for brick-and-mortar shops.
Model Answer 3: [Disagreement]
With the rapid expansion of e-commerce, many speculate that traditional brick-and-mortar stores will eventually disappear. However, despite its dominance, I firmly believe that physical shops will continue to exist, as they provide irreplaceable advantages such as sensory shopping experiences and immediate product access. In this essay, I will explain why.
One key reason why physical stores will not vanish is that they offer a physical and immersive shopping experience that online platforms cannot replicate. Customers value the ability to see, touch, and try products before making a purchase, particularly for items such as clothing, furniture, and electronics. In contrast, online shopping often results in dissatisfaction due to discrepancies between expectations and reality. For example, many consumers have reported receiving clothes that do not fit as expected, leading to inconvenient returns. This fundamental aspect of human psychology—needing to interact with products before buying—ensures the survival of physical stores.
Another crucial factor is the immediacy of in-store purchases, which remains a significant advantage over e-commerce. While online retailers have made strides in fast delivery, even same-day shipping cannot always meet the urgency of certain consumer needs. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware shops, for instance, provide essential goods instantly, which is particularly vital in emergencies. For example, if someone needs a crucial medication, waiting for an online order is impractical, making local stores indispensable.
In conclusion, despite the growing influence of online shopping, physical stores will persist due to the need for direct product interaction and immediate accessibility. Therefore, the idea that all shops will eventually close is an overstatement rather than an inevitable outcome.
Idea Generation for this IELTS Essay:
Essay Question:
The growth of online shopping will one day lead to all shops in towns and cities closing.
Do you agree or disagree?
Essay Type:
Opinion Essay (Agree/ Disagree).
The Main Question of This Essay:
The dominance of online shopping will result in the closure of all physical stores.
Reasons why online shopping may cause all physical shops to close:
1. Convenience of home shopping:
Online stores allow consumers to purchase products from the comfort of their homes at any time. This eliminates the need to travel, wait in queues, or deal with limited stock. For example, platforms like Amazon and eBay provide 24/7 access to millions of products, making physical stores less relevant.
2. Lower operational costs for online businesses:
E-commerce companies do not require expensive retail space, leading to lower costs and more competitive prices. This financial advantage makes it difficult for physical stores to compete. For example, online retailers can sell products at a discount since they save on rent, utilities, and in-store staffing costs.
3. Rapid advancements in technology:
AI-driven recommendations, virtual try-ons, and augmented reality shopping experiences are bridging the gap between online and offline shopping, making physical stores less necessary. For example, many fashion brands now offer virtual fitting rooms, allowing customers to see how clothes will look on them before purchasing.
4. Extensive product variety and global access:
Unlike physical shops, online stores provide access to a wider range of products from different brands and regions, giving consumers more choices. For example, customers can buy exclusive international brands without the need to travel abroad.
5. Faster and more efficient delivery services:
The rise of same-day and next-day delivery services is making online shopping more practical, reducing the need for immediate purchases from physical stores. For example, Amazon Prime and other logistics companies offer ultra-fast deliveries, making trips to the store unnecessary.
Reasons why physical stores will continue to exist:
1. The need for sensory shopping experiences:
Many consumers prefer to see, touch, and try products before purchasing, especially for clothing, furniture, and electronics. Online images and descriptions cannot fully replicate this experience. For example, people trying on shoes in a store can immediately assess comfort and fit, reducing the risk of returns.
2. Immediate product access:
Physical stores allow customers to obtain products instantly, which is essential for urgent needs like medicine, groceries, and hardware supplies. For example, if someone needs a painkiller or a phone charger immediately, waiting for an online delivery is impractical.
3. Social and recreational aspects of shopping:
Many people enjoy shopping as a social activity, using it as a way to spend time with friends and family. Malls, markets, and boutique shops provide an experience beyond just purchasing goods. For example, shopping malls attract visitors not only for retail but also for dining, entertainment, and social gatherings.
4. Customer service and personal assistance: In-store staff provide valuable product recommendations and assistance, something that online shopping cannot fully replicate. For example, sales assistants in electronics stores help customers compare specifications and choose the best product for their needs.
5. Challenges in online shopping: Issues such as delayed deliveries, product mismatches, and return complications make physical stores a more reliable choice for many consumers. For example, customers who receive damaged or incorrect items online often face lengthy refund and replacement processes.
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