GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 175
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In the modern world, it is possible to shop, work and communicate online without any face-to-face contact with other people.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer: [View – it is a positive development]
Digital technology and devices are pushing back the frontiers of convenience every day. People today can shop, work and communicate online without meeting in person. This essay will consider both positive and negative aspects of online shopping, communication, and telecommuting, and then state that on the whole, it is a positive development.
The Internet and digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, have revolutionized the way we live and work. People no longer go to physical outlets to shop. They can purchase goods from the comfort of their home. So, they do not need to bother traffic congestion or wait in long queues at the cash counter to pay for the items purchased by them, and thereby saving time. Likewise, gone are the days when employees worked in their cubicles or followed the routine 9-to-5 office life. Nowadays, they can work from home with the help of cutting edge devices and technologies. Similarly, online communication eliminates time and space barriers. It enables people to communicate anytime with others from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection.
This trend has some disadvantages too. In the case of online shopping, consumers cannot inspect goods physically or try on the product being considered for purchase, and therefore they can end up making a bad purchase. In the same token, employees may face more disruptions at home compared to the office which can result in low productivity. Besides, the security of a company could be jeopardized due to the remote workplace. But we, as informed users of technology, can overcome these barriers by being more cautious and prudent while using technology.
To recapitulate, people today no longer need physical presence to shop, work or communicate. These activities can be done online which is much more convenience. Although this convenience has its own costs, it, in my opinion, is a positive development as the informed users can defeat the problems.