An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - IELTS Writing Task 2

Advantages/Disadvantages essays require you to examine both the positive and negative sides of a given issue before presenting a balanced view. These questions test your ability to analyse a situation, organise ideas logically, and use clear, academic language. In this blog, you will find 3 sample answers along with useful vocabulary to help you improve your IELTS Writing score.

Question

Outline

Essay Type

• Advantage and Disadvantage Essay

Introduction

• Paraphrase the topic of the essay and mention that it has its merits and demerits.

Body paragraphs

• Paragraph 1 – Talk about the advantages of buying products online.
• Paragraph 2 – Implore the drawbacks.

Conclusion

• Restate your opinions.

An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - Sample Answer 1

Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular nowadays, and more and more people prefer to buy online instead of going to stores. However, this trend has both pros and cons for individuals and companies.

The burgeoning popularity of shopping online can be attributed to numerous decisive benefits. Firstly, the most distinctive advantage is convenience. For example, people can buy products from the comfort of their workplace, own home, or virtually anywhere without the pressure of a salesperson. Besides purchasing from the comfort of their homes or work station, customers can also save money. With ever-growing fuel prices, shopping online saves them the cost of driving to and from the shop. They can also save time by eluding getting stuck in gridlocked traffic than physical retail stores for online business owners. Furthermore, the shop owners don’t have to hire staff to work and run the shop, therefore, saving a substantial expenditure. Apart from this, online business owners can sell their products to customers without being curbed by geographical distances.

On the flip side, there are security concerns associated with online shopping. To begin with, individuals may suffer from financial loss because computer viruses and hackers constantly tap into online companies and steal customer identities and financial information. Likewise, the lack of support can complicate the exchange or refund process. For example, if a customer finds that the purchased goods are faulty, it may take several days to rectify the issue. In addition, online shoppers have to deal with complaints from customers due to defective goods. And this can affect the credibility of the online stores and eventually influence their business.

In conclusion, although shopping online has made one’s life easy and helped vendors eliminate global boundaries, it has equal cons that cannot be overlooked in this digital era.

An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - Sample Answer 2

In recent years, online shopping has become increasingly popular, with more people buying the goods they need via the internet. This development offers several advantages, but it also brings certain drawbacks.

One major benefit of online shopping is convenience. Consumers can purchase products from the comfort of their homes without spending time traveling to physical stores. This saves both effort and money, especially for people with busy schedules. Additionally, online platforms often provide a wider variety of products and competitive prices, making it easier for shoppers to compare options and find the best deals.

However, there are some disadvantages. Buying online prevents customers from physically inspecting products, which may lead to dissatisfaction or returns. Moreover, online shopping can encourage impulsive buying, as advertisements and easy payment options tempt people to purchase items they do not really need. Security concerns, such as online fraud or misuse of personal information, are also potential risks.

In conclusion, while online shopping provides convenience, variety, and cost-effectiveness, it also carries risks such as fraud, impulsive spending, and the inability to examine products personally. Overall, it is important for consumers to shop wisely and stay cautious when purchasing online.

An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - Sample Answer 3

The trend of buying necessities online has grown significantly in recent years. This phenomenon presents both advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering.

On the positive side, online shopping saves time and effort. People can order products anytime and have them delivered to their doorstep, which is especially useful for those with tight schedules or limited mobility. Furthermore, e-commerce websites often provide access to a broader range of goods, including international products, and allow for easy price comparisons, which can help buyers make cost-effective decisions.

Nevertheless, there are notable drawbacks. Online shoppers cannot touch or try products before buying, which sometimes results in receiving items that do not meet expectations. There is also the risk of overspending, as the convenience of one-click purchases can encourage unnecessary buying. Finally, online transactions carry security risks, including potential fraud or identity theft, which can make shopping less safe.

To conclude, online shopping offers undeniable benefits in terms of convenience and product variety, but it also has disadvantages related to product quality, overspending, and security. Consumers must weigh these factors carefully to make informed purchasing decisions.

An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - IELTS Vocabulary

The following are some of the IELTS Vocabulary found in the "An Increasing Number of People are Buying What they Need Online - IELTS Writing Task 2."

• Credibility

Meaning – the quality of being trusted and believed in.
Example – She says that viva voce evidence is necessary because credibility is an issue.

• Burgeoning

Meaning – beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing.
Example – The burgeoning trade in bones and body parts for use in folk medicines threatens tigers and other big cats.

• Attributed

Meaning – regard something as being caused by.
Example – This stress can be entirely attributed to my participation in a six-and-a-half hour long meeting.

• Decisive

Meaning – settling an issue; producing a definite result.
Example – The links with the unions are decisive in determining the class nature of a party.

• Convenience

Meaning – the state of being able to proceed with something without difficulty.
Example – Video offers convenience and the highest market penetration for its medium.

• Eluding

Meaning – escape from or avoid (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skilful or cunning way.
Example – The gang of robbers has been eluding the police force for quite some time.

• Retail

Meaning – the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.
Example – The rise in retail activity was based on an increase from the inflow of mainlanders and domestic spending.

• Substantial

Meaning – of considerable importance, size, or worth.
Example – Only the buildings that were constructed of more substantial materials survived the earthquake.

• Expenditure

Meaning – the action of spending funds.
Example – When there is an imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure, the excess is stored as fat.

• Curbed

Meaning – restrain or keep in check.
Example – He still believes that corruption can be curbed by setting up a clean system and strict rules.

In conclusion, every situation carries both advantages and disadvantages, and it is essential for test-takers to acknowledge both sides before forming a balanced final view. By clearly outlining the benefits and drawbacks, candidates can demonstrate strong analytical skills and produce a well-structured, high-scoring response.

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

• Do You Think Students Need to Wear School Uniforms
• Some People Think That it is More Important to Plant Tree in Open Areas
• People's Shopping Habits Depend More On The Age Group That They Belong to Then Other Factors
• University Education Should be Free for all Students
• Music is a Good Way of Bringing People of Different Cultures and Ages Together
• Crime Rate Nowadays is Decreasing Compared to the Past Due to Advances in Technology