Scorify.uzThe question
Some people prefer to buy goods online, while others believe that shopping in real shops is better. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
What the question asks
Present each view in its own paragraph with specific reasons, then say which you favour. A balanced position, such as each method suiting different products, is acceptable if you state it clearly in the introduction and the conclusion.
Essay plan
- Introduction: Introduce the two ways of shopping and indicate your opinion.
- Body 1: the case for online shopping: Convenience, wider choice, price comparison; useful for people with limited mobility or living far from towns.
- Body 2: the case for physical shops: Trying and touching goods, immediate purchase, social experience, local jobs and lively town centres.
- Conclusion: Give your opinion, for example that online suits routine items and shops suit clothes and gifts.
Band 7+ sample essay
The way people buy things has changed greatly over the last two decades. While some consumers now order almost everything on their phones, others still prefer to visit shops. Both approaches have value, but I personally think that physical shops remain important for certain purchases.
Those who favour online shopping usually mention convenience. A customer can order food, books or electronics at midnight without leaving home, and delivery saves time that would otherwise be spent in traffic. The choice is also far wider than in any single shop, and comparing prices takes seconds. For elderly people or those living in remote villages, the internet may be the only practical way to reach a large market.
On the other hand, supporters of traditional shopping point out that many products need to be seen, touched or tried on. Clothes and shoes are a good example, since sizes differ between brands and returning unsuitable items is tiresome. Shops also give immediate satisfaction, because the item can be taken home the same day. In addition, busy shopping streets create local jobs and give towns a social atmosphere that a website cannot offer.
In my view, the two methods should be seen as partners rather than rivals. I would order replacement batteries or a textbook online, but I would always choose to buy a winter coat or a present in person, where I can judge the quality for myself.
To sum up, online shopping is unbeatable for convenience and variety, but shops still offer experience and trust, so I believe both will continue to exist side by side.
263 words.
Why this essay scores well
- Task Response: every part of the question is answered and the position stays consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: each paragraph has one clear idea, linked with natural connectors rather than a list of memorised phrases.
- Lexical Resource: topic vocabulary is precise and varied, without forcing rare words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with conditionals and relative clauses used accurately.
Useful vocabulary
- consumer — a person who buys goods or services
- convenience — ease and saving of effort
- remote villages — places far from towns
- a wider choice — more options available
- try on — wear clothes to check the fit
- immediate satisfaction — getting what you want at once
- high street — the main shopping street of a town
- side by side — together, at the same time
Common mistakes on this question
- Giving only a list of advantages without explaining why each one matters.
- Not stating your own opinion, which is required by the question.
- Writing about online shopping dangers such as fraud in great detail and leaving the second view short.
Study guides
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Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
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Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is this IELTS Task 2 question?
It is a discussion + opinion question. Present each view in its own paragraph with specific reasons, then say which you favour. A balanced position, such as each method suiting different products, is acceptable if you state it clearly in the introduction and the conclusion.
How many words should the essay be?
Write at least 250 words. Most strong answers are 260–290 words, planned in about five minutes and completed in 40 minutes.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, an explanation and an example.