Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-28

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 offer a wide range of food imported from different parts of the world. Although this trend has raised concerns about its impact on local agriculture and the environment, I believe it is a positive development because it provides consumers with greater choice and strengthens food security.

One major advantage of global food trade is that it allows people to enjoy a greater variety of food throughout the year. Seasonal and climate-related limitations no longer prevent consumers from purchasing their favorite fruits, vegetables, or other products. For instance, tropical fruits such as mangoes and pineapples are readily available in countries where they cannot be cultivated. This not only improves dietary diversity but also enables people to maintain healthier eating habits by accessing fresh produce regardless of the season.

Another important benefit is that importing food helps ensure a stable food supply. When natural disasters, droughts, or poor harvests reduce domestic production, imported goods can prevent shortages and keep prices relatively stable. Furthermore, international competition encourages producers to improve quality while offering products at more competitive prices, allowing consumers to purchase high-quality food at reasonable costs.

Admittedly, transporting food over long distances increases carbon emissions and may create difficulties for local farmers competing with cheaper imports. However, governments can reduce these negative effects by supporting domestic agriculture and encouraging sustainable transportation methods. Therefore, these concerns are manageable and do not outweigh the overall advantages.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that the worldwide availability of food in supermarkets is a positive development because it increases consumer choice, promotes food security, and ensures access to a diverse range of affordable products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the points regarding dietary diversity and food security. You also acknowledge the counter-arguments regarding environmental impact and local agriculture, which adds depth to your response. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of tropical fruits, which helps to illustrate your points effectively. The conclusion provides a clear summary of your main arguments, ensuring the response is balanced and well-structured.

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 use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'For instance', 'Furthermore', and 'Admittedly', which help to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on advantages, one paragraph addressing the counter-argument, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'dietary diversity', 'stable food supply', 'domestic production', and 'sustainable transportation methods' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and with precision. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. However, the current usage is natural and contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional and concessive clauses, with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. Overall, the grammatical range is wide and the accuracy is very high, which is characteristic of a strong performance.

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