Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-29
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
A growing number of people rely on restaurants and convenience food (frozen food and packaged meals) rather than home-cooked food to supply most of their meals.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating this way?
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THIS CONCERN. BUT I BELIEVE HOME-COOKED FOOD IS GOOD NOT ONLY FOR HEALTH BUT ALSO FOR HYGIENE.
ON THE ONE HAND, THE ADVANTAGES OF FROZEN FOOD ARE TIME-SAVING, AND ALSO WE HAVE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS IN THE RESTAURANTS AND CONVENIENCE FOOD. WHAT WE WOULD DO IS JUST GO AND BUY IT WHEN EVER WE WANT. WE DONT NEED TO SPEND EXTRA MONEY AND TIME FOR COOKING AND PURCHASING THINGS FOR MAKING FOOD.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DISADVANTAGES OF PACKED FOODS ARE MAINLY ABOUT SAFTEY ISSUES. WE KNOW THAT LOT OF CHEMICALS ARE USING AS PRESERVATIVES TO KEEP THE FOOD FRESH. THESE PRESERVATIVE MAKES SIDE EFFECTS NOT AT THE MOMENT BUT IN FUTURE. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I LIKE HOME-COOKED FOOD INSTEAD OF PACKED FOOD.
IN MY OPINION BOTH TYPES OF FOOD HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. IF WE WANT TO MAKE HOME COOKED FOOD WE SHOULD SPENT SOME TIME TO PURCHASE AND COOK THE FOOD. IN THIS GENERATION WE KNOW THAT LOT OF PEOPLES ARE RUNNING ALONG WITH THE TIME SO NOBODY HAVE TIME TO MAKE FOOD. THEY ARE COMPENSATING THEIR HEALTH FOR TIME THATS A FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SEE IN THIS WORLD.
IN CONCLUSION, PACKED FOOD AND FROZEN FOOD GIVES YOU EASY TIME SAVING THECNIQUES TO ACHIEVE YOUR TARGET BUT OTHER SIDE HOME-COOKED FOOD GIVE YOU BETTER HEALTH AND SATISFACTION.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both the advantages and disadvantages of convenience food, but the development is limited. The essay is under the 250-word minimum, which significantly impacts the depth of the arguments. While the position is clear, the ideas are somewhat repetitive, particularly in the discussion of time constraints. The conclusion summarizes the points, but the overall development lacks the necessary detail and specific examples required for a higher band. To improve, you should expand on your points with more specific examples or deeper analysis to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand'). There is a logical progression of ideas, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, and the overall flow is somewhat disjointed. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that connects back to the main prompt.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'compensating their health for time' and 'easy time saving thecniques'. Spelling errors like 'thecniques' and 'saftey' also detract from the quality of the writing. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic terms rather than more sophisticated or topic-specific language. To improve, focus on learning collocations related to health and lifestyle and ensure you proofread your work to correct basic spelling mistakes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'lot of chemicals are using' (passive voice error), 'nobody have time' (subject-verb agreement), and 'should spent' (tense error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of capital letters throughout the text. While the meaning is generally clear, these errors occur frequently and affect the overall readability. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and consistent punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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