Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-26

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 7.0)

Nowadays, many people eat food from restaurants or buy frozen and packaged meals instead of cooking at home. This way of eating has some advantages, but it also has several disadvantages.

One main advantage is that convenience food saves time. Many people are busy with work, school, or family responsibilities, so they may not have enough time to cook every day. For example, a student who comes home late after classes can quickly heat a frozen meal instead of spending an hour preparing dinner. Restaurant food is also convenient because people do not need to shop for ingredients, cook, or wash dishes. Another advantage is variety. Restaurants offer many different types of food, so people can enjoy dishes from different cultures without learning how to cook them.

However, there are also important disadvantages. First, restaurant and packaged foods are often less healthy than home-cooked meals. They may contain more salt, sugar, oil, and preservatives. Eating these foods regularly can contribute to health problems such as weight gain and high blood pressure. Second, eating outside frequently can be expensive. Buying one restaurant meal may not seem costly, but the total expense can become very high over a month. In comparison, cooking at home is usually cheaper because one set of ingredients can be used for several meals.

Another disadvantage is that people may lose basic cooking skills if they depend too much on ready-made food. Cooking at home can also be a good way for families to spend time together.

In conclusion, restaurant and convenience foods are useful because they save time and provide variety. However, they can be unhealthy and expensive if people depend on them too much. Therefore, I believe it is better to use convenience food occasionally and eat home-cooked meals most of the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of relying on restaurants and convenience food. The writer presents a clear position throughout the essay, concluding with a balanced view that convenience food is useful occasionally but home-cooked meals are preferable. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the busy student heating a frozen meal and the financial impact of frequent dining out. The response meets the criteria for Band 7, as all parts of the prompt are addressed with clear reasoning and examples, though the development could be slightly more extended to reach the higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from an introduction to advantages, disadvantages, and a well-reasoned conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, as seen with transition markers like 'One main advantage', 'However', 'First', and 'Second'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each new idea clearly separated. Referencing is clear throughout the text, and the overall arrangement is coherent. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'convenience food', 'preservatives', 'high blood pressure', and 'ready-made food' show appropriate thematic control. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'contribute to health problems' and 'depend too much', though there is a slight reliance on common everyday terms. Word choice is generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout the response. The lexical range is sufficient for precision and flexibility, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile well, and is awarded a solid Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer demonstrates control over complex structures, such as using subordinate clauses ('Many people are busy with work... so they may not have enough time...'). Punctuation and grammar are generally well controlled, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor errors are virtually absent, and communication is never impeded. The grammatical range and accuracy demonstrate a solid grasp of English syntax, matching the Band 7 descriptor where there is good control and a variety of complex structures used successfully.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.