Online Shopping is Replacing Offline or Shopping from Stores- IELTS Writing Task 2
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Contents
Online shopping is replacing offline or shopping from stores. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Outline
Essay Type
Opinion Essay
Introduction
Sentences 1&2 – Paraphrase the topic with the use of synonyms to establish a base on which you will elaborate upon.
Sentence 3 – Mention that the essay will try to understand how online shopping is a positive development.
Body Paragraphs
Paragraph 1 – Mention how online shopping became a reality. Also talk about how online shopping has made shopping easy and convenient for the user.
Paragraph 2 – Talk about other advantages of online shopping. Stress on how online shopping made life easier during COVID-19.
Paragraph 3 – Acknowledge that online shopping exerts stress on the environment as sustaining it results in pollution. But, mention that some companies are trying to switch to electronic vehicles or adapting other green initiatives, and that the positives of online shopping far outweigh the negatives.
Conclusion
Restate your views.
Sample Essay 1
Online shopping is an effect of the growing usage of the Internet. It essentially shortens the efforts necessary for buying articles, therefore conveniently enhancing the user experience. In my opinion, it is a positive development, and this essay will try to explain the same.
Being propelled by the unprecedented rise of the Internet, online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, etc., have created unparalleled ease in the shopping experience of a customer. What used to take a couple of trips to buy electronics, clothes, footwear now takes not more than a click of the finger. This is the impact of online shopping, along with incorporating thousands of employees within their ranks.
Online shopping showed a massive surge due to COVID-19 as people were unable to leave their homes, but essentials were needed to run a household. In India, retail giant DMart started its own delivery platform, wherein a customer shops their groceries from an application or the website, and the goods are then delivered within a set time to their doorstep. Such services tremendously helped people all around the world.
It is true that online shopping lays a lot of stress on our planet. For instance, housing servers that facilitate the seamless running of the platform draw a lot of electricity, and the delivery boys use a lot of petrol as they require to deliver goods in every nook and corner. These activities exert pollution directly and indirectly. But, one cannot ignore how beneficial these platforms are, and some are even switching to e-vehicles for their delivery to show their commitment to battle climate change. Such major anecdotes showcase the importance of online platforms.
Hence, it is safe to say that shopping through online platforms is a wonderful adaptation, and a positive development.
Sample Essay 2
These days, we can see an increasing trend of online shopping. People prefer to buy goods and services online, as it provides them convenience, confirming their purchase with just a few simple clicks. It is one of the main reasons physical shopping from stores has been substituted with online shopping. However, in this essay, I will discuss how this change will remain incomplete due to some issues of virtual shopping.
While online shopping does offer convenience, there is a considerable compromise that one has to adjust on quality. While sitting at home, one can’t make out how a particular product would be in-person. One has to decide whether or not to make the purchase based on a few photos.
Another downside of online shopping is the monopoly of only a few big retailers, as a result of which small shops have taken a hit. These shop-owners are forced or compelled to either turn to the big retailers to sell their products, of which a colossal cut goes out of their pockets or be content with the offline sales they make.
However, despite all these negatives, one might think online shopping has, it is still seen that people prefer it over shopping in physical stores. The reason for this is what has been mentioned earlier-convenience like less time-consuming, huge discounts and easy accessibility.
It is hard to compete with the convenience and comfort offered by the availability of multiple products in a single place, the ideology on which the concept of malls was created. Other than that, to have a comprehensive display wherein, you can compare products prices and even apply filters according to your need is comfortable to a majority of people.
Vocabulary
- Enhancing
Meaning – intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Example – The company tried everything towards enhancing its image after a failed marketing campaign.
- Unparalleled
Meaning – having no parallel or equal; exceptional.
Example – His technique of painting is unparalleled.
- Propelled
Meaning – drive, push, or cause to move in a particular direction, typically forward.
Example – The push for indigenisation propelled all the local industries in a profitable direction.
- Unprecedented
Meaning – never done or known before.
Example – Unprecedented times rocked as the financial world came to a standstill in 2008.
- Incorporating
Meaning – take in or contain (something) as part of a whole; include.
Example – Many companies are incorporating AI-powered tools in their workforce.
- Surge
Meaning – a sudden powerful forward or upward movement.
Example – Due to COVID-19, sanitisers saw a surge in sales.
- Doorstep
Meaning – a step leading up to the outer door of a house.
Example – Many companies promise a 30 minute delivery at your doorstep.
- Tremendously
Meaning – to a very great extent.
Example – Since Jay came back from the USA, he has changed tremendously.
- Seamless
Meaning – smooth and without seams or obvious joins.
Example – Technology has helped us maintain a seamless life in many aspects.
- Exert
Meaning – apply or bring to bear.
Example – Exert almost all your strength while you exercise.
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Janice Thompson

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6 Comments
gulshan
Posted on Apr 1, 2022
Shopping habits of folks are changing worldwide. Due to the changing trend towards online shopping offline shopping is being overtaken by shopping from online stores. This essay will strongly agree that this is a positive development. To support this viewpoint I will firstly discuss about convenience of buy from home then, shed light upon one stop shopping.
To embark with, online shopping made it possible for the customers to buy from home. In other words there is no need to go to the market to buy anything because everything is available on the touch of the screen of cell phone and computers, which makes the shopping easy and hassle free. Furthermore, buyers do not have to worry to get out of home to buy medicine, vegetables or fruits, they can order from online and it will be delivered to their doorstep. For example, website like Amazon and Flipkart are providing the facility for their customers to order from home and the items are then delivered to address which buyers provide without actually visiting the stores physically.
In addition to that, with the help of shop from almost all items are available on single platform. Due to which it is easier to search anything that a customer need. As a result, they do not need to visit various stores which eventually save a good amount of time. Also, on single store a customer can compare a significant number of product from different manufacturers, for best and low cost product with better quality and more features. To illustrate, a survey from The Times of India on 20th January,2022 states that the amount of people shopping from online has significantly rise in last year at a rate of 55% when compared with offline shopping which is declined by 60%.
In conclusion, changing offline shopping stores with online provide customers a better convenient way of shopping with time saving shopping experience.
Reply
kasturika
Posted on Apr 1, 2022
Band Score – 5
Since it is an opinion essay, you are also required to write one line of contrast after the two opinionated body paragraphs.
Concentrate on correct use of article, punctuation, compound words, preposition, verb form, and subject verb agreement.
Use C2 level of words.
Meet Prajapati
Posted on Mar 10, 2022
Nowadays, we all know that majority of people prefer to purchase from online rather than offline and it gives lot of benefits to customers as well. According to my perspective, online shopping is a great development and there are many advantage along with. This essay will elaborate about the my point of view in the upcoming paragraphs.
In modern era, number of people move from physical shopping to online. The first and foremost benefit that it save amount of time. Although many individual spend large amount of time for shopping only, they can utilize their time by using different kind of application, where they can purchase from that. In addition, people can have range of choice. If people want to purchase from online store then it will suggest list of items for particular product. To illustrate, Amazon is one of the best example of the online store, around more than 10 millions items available on this store so user have multiple choice and they can choose from that.
Furthermore, individuals can save their money and it is second major advantage of this development. Large number of people buy from online because of they get good discount and they can also win rewards. It is not possible at local shop so they does not prefer this way of shopping. For instance, according to survey of the Times of India, roughly 60 per cent of users select online shopping because they can buy anything with reasonable price as compare to super market. Eventually, virtual shopping is more secure and trustful than other.
To conclude, according to my opinion, to considering all points that virtual store is leading positive side. It consists many pros such as give significant options and it save time as well as money.
Reply
Ann Smith
Posted on Mar 10, 2022
Band Scored: 5
Since it is an opinion essay, you are also required to write one line of contrast after the two opinionated body paragraphs.
Concentrate on correct use of article, comma, preposition, verb form, subject verb agreement, plural forms and sentence structure.
Use more transitional phrases or linkers.
Tete
Posted on Jan 13, 2022
In recent times, online shopping has evolved into our daily lives immensely that people resist stepping out to the stores. Although this ever-increasing phenomenon comes as both a boon and bane for some, I think virtual shopping is essential to survive in the fast-paced life we lead today.
To begin with, buying products online not only saves time and energy in our hectic lifestyle rather provides thousands of product choices based on brand, price, quality, size etc. at just a mouse click from the comfort of our homes. Subsequently, this practice cuts down the cost of store space, power and other utilities for the business, indirectly boosting the economy. Another aspect to consider is that certain items are made upon order, i.e., they are produced only when an order is placed. This helps reduce wastage and caters to the particular needs of the end consumer. Especially during the Covid pandemic, when physical stores were shutdown, individuals survived only by ordering off online sites.
However, we cannot turn a blind eye to its negative impacts as well. For instance, not all of the population has access to internet or smartphones, as they rely only on offline stores for their everyday needs, and many of them are unaware of the numerous online shopping sites which are slowly ousting physical stores. Consequently, local businesses face steep losses due to rise in popularity of virtual buying. Furthermore, the personal touch and feel that we enjoy in offline shops cannot be met by online stores, which might cause error in judgement, difference in product specifications or quality.
In conclusion, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks of online shopping, as the economy is progressing and the needs are multiplying, it is indispensable to keep up with our demands. Though, it has to be maintained in such a way that affordable local shops are not completely replaced, making it a hardship for certain section of our society.
Reply
Janice Thompson
Posted on Jan 17, 2022
Band score: 5
This is an opinion essay which means you will have to pick a side and support it in both the body paragraphs. You cannot discuss both sides.
Concentrate on articles, grammatical numbers
Learn how to join two independent clauses and the linkers of contrast.