Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

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

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Nowadays, supermarkets sell food imported from many different countries, allowing consumers to enjoy a wide variety of products throughout the year. I believe this is a largely positive development because it provides greater choice, improves food availability, and supports international trade, although it may have some disadvantages.

One major advantage is that consumers have access to a wider range of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food products regardless of the season. For example, people in India can buy apples from New Zealand or oranges from South Africa even when these fruits are not grown locally. This not only gives people more choices but also helps them maintain a balanced and healthy diet. In addition, imported food encourages competition, which can improve product quality and sometimes reduce prices.

Another benefit is that international food trade contributes to economic growth. It creates employment opportunities for farmers, exporters, transport companies, and supermarket workers. Moreover, countries can earn valuable income by exporting their local products. For instance, India exports tea, spices, and rice to many countries, which strengthens its economy and increases trade relationships.

However, importing food also has some disadvantages. Transporting food over long distances increases carbon emissions, which can harm the environment. In addition, local farmers may face strong competition from cheaper imported products. Nevertheless, these issues can be addressed by encouraging sustainable transport and supporting local agriculture through government policies.

In conclusion, although importing food from around the world may create environmental challenges and affect local producers, I believe the advantages are greater. The wider choice of food, year-round availability, and economic benefits make this a positive development, provided that governments continue to protect local farmers and promote environmentally friendly practices.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Each body paragraph develops a distinct point—consumer choice, economic growth, and environmental concerns—with relevant examples, such as the trade of specific goods in India. The ideas are well-supported and logically extended, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your arguments and provides a balanced view by acknowledging the counter-arguments while reaffirming your stance. The development is consistent and focused, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Moreover,' 'However,' and 'Nevertheless,' which help guide the reader through your argument. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the structure of the essay is coherent from start to finish, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'maintain a balanced and healthy diet,' 'economic growth,' and 'environmentally friendly practices' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. The word choices are natural and fit the context well, with no errors that impede communication. The range is adequate for the task and shows a good level of control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences that are generally error-free. Your control over grammar and punctuation is strong, with very few, if any, errors. You successfully use subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings to maintain interest. The majority of your sentences are accurate, and the few minor slips that might occur do not detract from the overall clarity of your writing. The grammatical control is consistent throughout the response, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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