Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-08

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

In many nations today, supermarkets offer a vast array of food products sourced from across the globe. While this globalization of food supply presents certain challenges, I believe it is largely a positive development due to the enhanced dietary variety and year-round availability it provides to consumers.

The primary benefit of importing international food is the diversification of diets. Consumers are no longer restricted by local agricultural cycles or geographical limitations. For instance, individuals living in colder climates can enjoy tropical fruits like mangoes or avocados regardless of the season, ensuring a more balanced and nutritious diet. Furthermore, access to foreign cuisines fosters cultural exchange. By trying dishes such as sushi or paella, consumers gain insight into different culinary traditions, promoting a greater sense of global interconnectedness and appreciation for diverse cultures.

Admittedly, there are valid concerns regarding this trend. Critics argue that the influx of cheap imports undermines local farmers who cannot compete with large-scale international producers. Additionally, the transportation of food over long distances contributes significantly to carbon emissions, exacerbating environmental pollution. These points highlight the need for sustainable practices, such as prioritising locally sourced produce when possible.

However, these drawbacks do not outweigh the benefits. The convenience and variety offered by global supply chains meet the demands of modern lifestyles. Moreover, the economic interdependence created by international trade can stimulate growth in exporting countries. Therefore, while environmental and local economic impacts must be managed, the ability to access a wide range of global foods remains a significant advantage for society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for a discussion on competition versus cooperation in work, school, and daily life. However, the student has written an essay about the globalization of food supply and supermarkets. Because the student failed to address the prompt entirely, the task achievement score is severely impacted. While the essay itself is well-structured and coherent, it does not fulfill the requirements of the task set by the examiner. Consequently, it cannot be assessed as a successful response to the specific question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Despite the essay being off-topic, the internal structure is excellent. The response is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Admittedly', 'Additionally', and 'However' are used effectively to link sentences and arguments. The writer demonstrates a strong ability to manage the flow of information, which would have resulted in a high score had the content been relevant to the prompt.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sophisticated and well-suited to an academic context. The student uses a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'globalization of food supply', 'agricultural cycles', 'geographical limitations', 'economic interdependence', and 'sustainable practices'. The word choice is precise, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. The language is fluent and demonstrates a high level of lexical control, which is appropriate for a high-band response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used throughout the text. Examples include the use of conditional-like structures ('Consumers are no longer restricted by...') and complex noun phrases ('The convenience and variety offered by global supply chains'). Punctuation is used correctly, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The control over grammatical forms is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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