IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training (GT):  Cambridge IELTS Book 12 Test 4 –  Positive or Negative Development (Part of Agree/Disagree) Topic Sample Answer.

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Question for IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training – Cambridge IELTS Book 12 Test 4 GT. 

WRITING TASK 2: You should spend 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic.

Question: In recent years, many local shops have closed because customers travel to large shopping centres or malls to do their shopping. Is this a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

Answer to IELTS Cambridge Book 12 Test 4 General Writing Task 2

In the past few years, as people have been shopping in big shopping centres, many local shops have closed because of a lack of customers. I strongly believe this to be a negative development because it increases unemployment and makes it harder to procure daily-used goods.

The primary reason I view the closure of local shops in a negative light is that this can lead to higher rates of jobless people. This is because when local shops shut down, the people who own those shops and work there lose their jobs. Due to fewer new job opportunities in malls, they are not able to make ends meet, and consequently, some of them may indulge in criminal activities. In many small American towns, for instance, the arrival of Walmart has resulted in the closure of most of the small, independent shops, and job openings at the new Walmart have not compensated for all the lost jobs, making it harder for families even to fulfil their basic needs.

Another reason why this trend is disastrous is because it just makes it more difficult for people to buy everyday goods. The reason is that these shopping malls are situated on the outskirts of a city because of the availability of open spaces and cheap land, and people need to travel long distances to reach these malls and get the produce they need on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, to avoid going there daily, they must purchase products in large quantities, which is not financially viable for those living paycheck to paycheck. For example, with the arrival of big shopping centres, which are constructed far from the city centre, many downtown bakeries and grocery stores in small Indian towns have been closed, affecting the purchases of some people according to their daily needs.

In conclusion, this essay argues that closing many local shops is detrimental as it reduces job opportunities for residents and complicates access to daily necessities.

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