Development and Rapid Expansion of Supermarkets - IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree/Disagree Essay

In the IELTS Writing Task 2 of the Academic section, you may come across a question type called the Agree Disagree questions, which is a very common one. 

“Development and Rapid Expansion of Supermarkets,” is one such Agree Disagree essay topic. In this question, as a test taker, you must take a stand on a given statement. 

This requires you to decide on whether you support, oppose, or partly accept the given statement. A strong answer to this clearly showcases your views in the introduction and next uses logical reasoning, proper explanations, and real-life examples to justify your position throughout the essay. 

“To What Extent” IELTS Agree Disagree Questions

Adding on, when the essay prompt asks, “to what extent do you agree or disagree?”, it requires a more detailed and measurable stand rather than a simple agreement or disagreement. 

Instead of just choosing “agree” or “disagree,” as a writer, you can state a full agreement, partial agreement, or even a full disagreement and then explain the level of that stand.

Structure Breakdown 

Question

Band 9 Sample Answer for “Development and Rapid Expansion of Supermarkets”

Some countries are experiencing the development and rapid expansion of supermarkets, forcing small local businesses to compete. People believe that closing local businesses will result in local communities going under. I disagree with the above viewpoint as even though closing regional enterprises may pose some difficulties to the local community, it doesn’t threaten their existence, and I’ll explain my thoughts in the following paragraphs.

Almost all cities and towns are dotted with supermarkets and shopping malls today. Shopping at these places is a favourite pastime for people. People in today’s society prefer to buy items from supermarkets and shopping centres as these places offer many amenities such as cinemas and restaurants. Further, many people are enticedto different supermarket schemes like the added discounts and offers that they receive regularly. As a consequence, local markets face stiff competition nowadays from supermarkets. In other words, even if a small business dies, the local communities will not suffer because there are enough alternatives available for them.

Further, because of the wide selection of shops available at one location, shopkeepers will be more motivated to maintain product quality and tough competition will prevent them from raising the prices. This will benefit the local communities. A wide variety of products are offered in a single location, and so people nowadays find supermarkets more convenient. It is tedious and time-consuming to go to different shops to acquire different items.

However, there is an argument that supermarkets are typically located in the town center and people find it inconvenient to travel so far, modern technological advances have increased the ease and affordability of travelling through inventions like metros.

In conclusion, the closing of regional shops would have some negative consequences for locals, but not enough to threaten their existence.

Vocabulary to Answer “Development and Rapid Expansion of Supermarkets”

• Going under 

Meaning: to be overwhelmed, destroyed, or defeated
Eg: The firm will go under unless business improves.

• Threaten 

Meaning: An indication of impending danger or harm
Eg: The current pollution level is threatening to the environment.

• Dotted with

Meaning: many of those things scattered over any surface
Eg: The maps were dotted with the names of small towns.

• Pastime 

Meaning: something that you enjoy doing when you are not working
Eg: Movies are my favourite pastime.

• Amenities 

Meaning: something that makes a place pleasant or easy to live in
Eg: The hotel has excellent amenities.

• Enticed 

Meaning: to persuade somebody to do something or go somewhere by offering something nice
Eg: Advertisements entice people to buy things they don’t necessarily need.

• Stiff 

Meaning: more difficult or stronger than usual
Eg: This table is too stiff to move.

• Alternatives 

Meaning: one of two or more things that you can choose between
Eg: There are not many alternatives to this job.

• Tedious 

Meaning: boring and lasting for a long time
Eg: This was a tedious journey.

• Affordability 

Meaning: to have enough money or time to be able to do something
Eg: This dress is beyond my affordability.

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

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• Some People Believe That Air Travel Should Be Restricted
• Many People Are Working Longer and Longer Hours
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