Alex (IELTS 9)

1. Do you often visit street markets? Yes, I do, especially when I need to buy fresh food or something inexpensive. There are quite a few street markets in my city, and I sometimes go there with my family. I actually enjoy the atmosphere because they are usually busy, lively, and full of different smells and sounds. It feels more interesting than shopping in a supermarket. 2. What do you usually buy at street markets? I usually buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and sometimes snacks. I also like looking around for clothes or small things for the house because you can often find good deals there. If I go with my mother, we normally buy food for the week. I don't always plan to buy something, though. Sometimes I just walk around and end up buying something that catches my eye. 3. Are there many street markets in your city? Yes, there are quite a lot of them. Street markets are still a very common part of everyday life in my city. Some of them are huge and attract hundreds of people every day, while others are much smaller and mainly serve local residents. I think they are popular because people can find almost everything they need in one place. 4. Do you prefer street markets or shopping malls? Personally, I prefer street markets for everyday shopping, but I prefer shopping malls when I want a more comfortable experience. At a market, prices are often more flexible, and you can sometimes bargain with sellers. On the other hand, malls are cleaner, quieter, and usually have better facilities. So, it really depends on what I'm looking for. 5. What kind of things can people buy at street markets? People can buy a huge variety of things. Obviously, there is a lot of fresh food, such as fruit, vegetables, meat, and spices. But you can also find clothes, shoes, household items, electronics, and even traditional products. That's one of the things I like about markets — you never really know what you're going to find. 6. Do you think street markets are popular with young people? Yes, I think they are, although probably not as popular as they are with older people. Young people usually prefer modern shopping centres because they are more comfortable and have cafes, restaurants, and entertainment. However, many young people still visit markets because the prices are usually lower, and sometimes they can find unique or interesting things that aren't available in regular shops. 7. Have street markets changed much in your city in recent years? Yes, quite a lot. Many markets have become more organised and cleaner than they used to be. Some sellers now use card payments and social media to attract customers, which was much less common in the past. At the same time, the traditional atmosphere is still there. So, I would say street markets have modernised without completely losing their original character.