IELTS Band 9 Essay About Nowadays shops are open longer hours Is it a positive or negative
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Nowadays shops are open longer hours Is it a positive or negative”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 100 band 9 IELTS samples released in April 2025.
Sample Essay (Band 9)
Nowadays shops are open longer hours. Is it a positive or negative development for both shoppers and local people?
In recent years, the trend of shops remaining open for extended hours has become increasingly prevalent in many urban areas. While this development is driven largely by consumer demand and economic incentives, it has sparked a debate regarding its overall impact. I believe this shift brings both advantages and disadvantages for shoppers and local communities, but the positive aspects tend to outweigh the negatives.
From the perspective of consumers, longer opening hours provide greater flexibility and convenience, especially for individuals with busy schedules or irregular working hours. Being able to shop late at night or early in the morning allows people to manage their time more efficiently, which can contribute to an improved work-life balance. Additionally, extended hours often lead to less crowded shopping environments, enhancing the overall customer experience.
For local businesses, staying open longer can be financially beneficial. Increased operating hours can translate into higher sales volumes and better customer retention. Moreover, this trend has the potential to create more job opportunities, especially for part-time workers or students who prefer evening shifts. This could have a positive socio-economic impact on the local area.
However, there are notable drawbacks. Extended operating hours may place a strain on shop employees, many of whom are required to work late hours or overnight, which could negatively affect their health and personal lives. In addition, small businesses that lack the resources to operate beyond traditional hours might struggle to compete with larger retail chains, potentially widening the economic gap between large and small enterprises.
Another concern is the impact on local residents living near commercial areas. Increased noise levels and late-night activity may disturb their peace and contribute to a decline in their quality of life. Moreover, extended hours can lead to higher energy consumption, raising questions about the sustainability of such practices.
In conclusion, although there are valid concerns associated with shops being open longer, the benefits, particularly in terms of convenience, economic growth, and job creation, make it a largely positive development. Nonetheless, policies must be put in place to ensure the well-being of employees and to support smaller businesses.
🔹 Five Academic Words in the sample for Nowadays shops are open longer hours Is it a positive or negative
Prevalent /ˈprev.əl.ənt/
Sentence: This health issue is particularly prevalent among the elderly population.Flexibility /ˌflek.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/
Sentence: Flexible working hours give employees greater flexibility to balance work and family life.Efficiently /ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt.li/
Sentence: The new system processes data more efficiently than the old one.Socio-economic /ˌsəʊ.si.əʊˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk/
Sentence: Government policies must address the socio-economic disparities in urban areas.Sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
Sentence: Environmental sustainability is crucial for long-term global development.
🔹 Five Advanced Grammar Structures:
Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
Example: “While this development is driven largely by consumer demand and economic incentives, it has sparked a debate regarding its overall impact.”
➤ This structure allows the writer to present two related ideas in one sentence, enhancing clarity and coherence.Passive Voice
Example: “This trend has the potential to create more job opportunities…”
➤ Using passive voice can shift the focus to the action or outcome, which is useful for formal academic tone.Nominalization
Example: “…raising questions about the sustainability of such practices.”
➤ Turning verbs into nouns (e.g., “sustain” → “sustainability”) increases the formality of the text.Cohesive Devices
Example: “Moreover, this trend has the potential to…”
➤ Connectors like Moreover, However, and In addition improve cohesion and organization.Conditional Sentences
Example: “If policies are put in place to ensure the well-being of employees…”
➤ Conditional structures demonstrate the ability to discuss hypothetical situations, which is often expected at Band 9 level.
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