Question: In some countries, small town-centre shops are going out of business because people tend to drive to large out-of-town stores. As a result, people without cars have limited access to out-of-town stores, and it may result in an increase in the use of cars. Do you think the disadvantages of this change outweigh its advantages?
Band 8+ Sample Answer:
(Intro) Recent years have witnessed a trend towards shoppers driving to the outskirts of towns to shop in huge department stores, resulting in the relentless rise in car use by city dwellers. From my perspective, although this trend can contribute to unemployment and a rise in air pollution, it can lead to cheaper products for consumers.
(Body 1) First, an increase in the unemployment rate can be seen from this out-of-town shopping trend. The more that people reject leaving high street shops in favour of larger stores in suburban districts/areas the more the quantity of purchases in centrally located shops. Chances are that those shopkeepers will be forced into bankruptcy and make their staff redundant. Another highly undesirable outcome is the deterioration of air quality due to increased traffic congestion surrounding these new shopping destinations. A good example of this is Walmart in the US. This chain has been the major cause of tailbacks for years all across the country
(Body 2) Nevertheless, the merits of having a wider range of buying options coupled with better price tags should not be neglected. Take for example Mega Market in District 2, HCM City. With more land and cheaper rent in the outskirts, this superstore is characteristically huge, large enough to house hundreds of different shops, boutiques and restaurants under one roof. In addition, the lower costs of the labour force, due to less competition means the operational costs of stores can be reduced, thereby decreasing the prices of goods in such supermarkets. As a result, people can shop with wholesale prices no matter how much they buy.
(Conclusion) In conclusion, although the tendency towards shopping at large out-of-town stores can result in some employment and environmental problems, I am of the view that this trend will surely bring more convenience to shoppers. (303 words).
Essay: Student Essay, fully corrected and upgraded by Nick Kemp, former IELTS Examiner.
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