IELTS writing task 2 answer (21) (online shopping, good or bad?) Question: "We are seeing a significant increase in online shopping today. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? Give your own opinion and relevant examples." Answer: In recent years online shopping has revolutionised our lives. In my opinion, this development has both merits and some downsides. This essay will discuss both the advantages and drawbacks of online shopping illustrated by some examples. It is true that internet shopping may lead to lower average market prices which is beneficial to consumers because the cost of living will decline. Due to fierce competition between online shops, sellers are lowering their prices to gain a competitive edge. This can also challenge local manufacturer’s dominance and intensify competition in local markets. For example, when people are able to buy cloths using the lowest-first price sorting function on EBay with half the price in local stores, domestic sellers have to adjust their prices. In addition, online shopping saves people more leisure time. Traditionally, people had to drive or even walk to buy necessities. However, due to the conveniency of online shopping, people today can purchase almost everything on the Internet at the touch of a button without having to spend extra time. In this way people can use this spare time to lead a more leisurely life and engage themselves in other important activities such as spending quality time with their families. On the other hand, some environmental problems may be triggered by massive online shopping. Shipping commodities, especially long-distance shipping, involves large volume transportation. This causes an increase of greenhouse gas emissions. This problem is exaggerated in air-freighted shipping, which is used normally by international express companies. The planes they utilise has been burning a large amount of fossil fuels every year and contributing to global warming. In conclusion, online shopping has certainly improved some aspects of people’s lives. However, not all of the outcomes of this change have been positive. Some of the merits and disadvantages are explained above.