You have approximately 40 minutes to complete this task. You need to write an essay addressing the topic below Many countries have the same shops and products. Some consider it a positive development, whereas others consider it negative. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Your essay should comprise a minimum of 250 words.
Sample Response
The proliferation of identical shops and products inacross many countries is widely debateda topic of debate, with some viewing this trend as advantageousviewing it as advantageous while others see it as detrimental. I believe that this development is largely beneficial.
On the one hand, the widespread presence of global brands and products is seen as a positive development. This trend promotes economic growth by creating job opportunities and stimulatingboosting consumer spending. For instance, the entry of multinational companies into emerging markets often leads to the establishmentconstruction of new retail outlets and factories, thereby creating jobs for local residentsproviding employment for local residents. Moreover, the availability of familiar brands ensures that consumers have access to high-quality and reliable products, enhancing their shopping experience. Consequently, their presencethe presence of these global entities can significantly contribute to the economic and social well-being of a country.
On the other hand, some argue that the dominance of the same shops and products worldwide can have negative consequenceshas negative implications. One major concern is the potential erosion of local cultures and identitiesthe potential loss of local culture and identity. As global brands overshadow local businesses, unique cultural traditions and products may gradually disappear. For example, traditional handicrafts and local cuisines may struggle to survive in the face of competition from mass-produced goods. Additionally, the environmental impact of producing and transporting these globally distributed productsthese global products is a significant issue. The carbon footprint associated with the global supply chain can contribute to environmental degradation, an increasingly serious concernwhich is a growing concern in today's world. Thus, the negative consequences of this phenomenon should not be overlooked.
In conclusion, while some individuals believe that the global spread of identical shops and products poses risks to local cultures and the environment, I am of the opinion that it is predominantly a positive developmentmore of a positive development, offering economic benefits and consumer satisfaction.
Why this response received Band 8.5
The response is strongest in its balanced, clearly organised discussion, with relevant economic, cultural, and environmental support and a consistently clear position. Its main limitation is that it asserts the development is largely beneficial without fully explaining why the economic and consumer gains outweigh the cultural and environmental costs. The highest-priority improvement is to add an explicit comparative justification for that final judgement.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses both views directly, sustains a clear opinion, and develops relevant supporting ideas.
Explain explicitly why the stated benefits carry greater weight than the acknowledged cultural and environmental costs.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices make the argument easy to follow.
Vary the paragraph transitions and rely more on the logical relationship between ideas than on conventional signposting.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys economic, cultural, consumer, and environmental ideas effectively.
Replace a few broad evaluative phrases with more exact language that sharpens the comparison between the two views.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used flexibly and accurately, with consistently controlled grammar and punctuation.
Maintain this level of control while experimenting with even more concise sentence patterns for emphasis.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
You have approximately 40 minutes to complete this task. You need to write an essay addressing the topic below Many countries have the same shops and products. Some consider it a positive development, whereas others consider it negative. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Your essay should comprise a minimum of 250 words.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.