The young spend their leisure time in shopping centres

IELTS Band 9 Essay About The young spend their leisure time in shopping centres

Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “The young spend their leisure time in shopping centres”. 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 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.

Sample Essay With Band 9 Answer

The young today spend a large amount of their leisure time in shopping centres. It is feared that this trend can bring negative influences on the youths and the society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

The growing tendency among young people to spend a significant portion of their leisure time in shopping centres has sparked concerns regarding its potential negative impact on both individuals and society. While it is undeniable that this trend has its downsides, I believe that the issue is not entirely negative, and several factors must be considered when evaluating its overall effects.

Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that shopping centres serve as more than just commercial hubs; they act as social spaces where young people can interact, build relationships, and experience socialization outside the confines of traditional educational environments. For many, visiting shopping centres is an opportunity to connect with their peers, share experiences, and participate in cultural activities, which can enhance their social skills and emotional development. Moreover, the exposure to various retail brands and products can cultivate a sense of consumer awareness, teaching youths about the values of money management, budgeting, and personal finance.

However, the negative consequences of this trend should not be overlooked. Excessive time spent in shopping centres can distract young people from more productive activities such as academic pursuits, physical exercise, or meaningful hobbies. This lack of balance can hinder their personal growth and academic achievement. Additionally, the commercial nature of shopping centres may foster materialistic attitudes among youths, prioritizing consumerism over intrinsic values like creativity, critical thinking, or social responsibility. Furthermore, the presence of certain marketing strategies, designed to influence young buyers, can lead to poor decision-making and financial mismanagement.

To mitigate these potential harms, it is essential for both families and society to guide young people in cultivating healthy habits regarding their leisure activities. Encouraging involvement in community programs, outdoor activities, and educational workshops could offer alternative outlets for social interaction and personal growth. Governments and shopping centre managers should also take responsibility by promoting more enlightened and diverse experiences that go beyond mere consumerism, such as hosting events that emphasize creativity, sustainability, or social justice.

In conclusion, while it is true that the trend of young people spending significant time in shopping centres can have some negative effects, it is essential to view the issue from a broader perspective. By ensuring that young people balance their leisure activities with more constructive endeavors, the potential harms can be minimized, and the benefits of this social trend can be maximized.

Academic Vocabulary  in the sample for the young spend their leisure time in shopping centres

1. Leisure /ˈliːʒər/
   • Example: Many people prefer to spend their leisure time outdoors rather than indoors.
2. Enhance /ɪnˈhæns/
   • Example: The new software will enhance your productivity by automating several tasks.
3. Moreover /mɔːrˈəʊvər/
   • Example: The weather was terrible, and moreover, we lost our luggage.
4. Distract /dɪˈstrækt/
   • Example: The noise from the street outside distracted me from my studies.
5. Enlightened /ɪnˈlaɪtənd/
   • Example: The enlightened approach to teaching focuses on students’ emotional and intellectual growth.

Advanced Grammar Structures

1. Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
   Example: “While it is undeniable that this trend has its downsides, I believe that the issue is not entirely negative…”
   • This structure helps convey a more sophisticated argument by presenting contrasting views or conditions.
2. Modal Verbs for Speculation and Advice
   Example: “…young people can interact, build relationships, and experience socialization…”
   • The modal verb “can” is used to express possibilities, offering nuance and complexity to the argument.
3. Inversion for Emphasis
   Example: “Excessive time spent in shopping centres can distract young people…”
   • Inversion is used to emphasize the potential negative impact, showcasing a more formal and academic tone.
4. Relative Clauses
   Example: “…shopping centres which serve as more than just commercial hubs…”
   • This structure adds clarity and sophistication by providing additional information about the subject.
5. Parallelism in Lists
   Example: “…promoting more enlightened and diverse experiences that go beyond mere consumerism…”
   • Parallelism strengthens the sentence structure and makes the argument more cohesive and easy to follow.

Explanation of Grammar Contribution

1. Complex Sentences help convey detailed and nuanced ideas, demonstrating the ability to link related ideas in a coherent way.
2. Modal Verbs provide a sense of flexibility and possibility, which is crucial for presenting balanced views.
3. Inversion gives emphasis to key points, adding formality and sophistication to the response.
4. Relative Clauses enhance the depth of the discussion by giving extra details about the topics discussed.
5. Parallelism helps maintain clarity and flow, making the writing more polished and academically sound.

These grammar structures not only contribute to the clarity and cohesion of the response but also elevate the overall complexity, which is essential for achieving a higher band score.

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