Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-30

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 in many countries sell food imported from every corner of the world. While some people argue that this trend has negative consequences, I believe it is largely a positive development because it provides consumers with greater choice and improves food security, despite a few environmental concerns.

One significant advantage is that consumers have access to a much wider variety of food throughout the year. In the past, people had to rely mainly on seasonal and locally grown produce. Today, however, they can purchase fruits, vegetables and other products from different countries regardless of the season. For instance, consumers in Pakistan can buy blueberries from Europe or avocados from South America, allowing them to enjoy a more diverse and nutritious diet. Moreover, the availability of international food encourages people to experience different cultures through cuisine, which broadens their understanding of the world.

Another important benefit is the positive impact on international trade. The global exchange of food creates employment opportunities for farmers, transport companies and retailers. It also promotes healthy competition among producers, encouraging them to improve product quality while keeping prices reasonable. As a result, consumers benefit from both better products and greater affordability.

Nevertheless, importing food also has certain disadvantages. Transporting goods across long distances increases greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. In addition, local farmers may face intense competition from imported products, making it difficult for them to maintain their income. However, these problems can be reduced if governments support domestic agriculture and encourage environmentally friendly methods of transportation.

In conclusion, although importing food from around the world presents some environmental and economic challenges, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The increased variety of food, improved availability and economic benefits make this a positive development. With sensible government policies, the negative effects can be minimised while consumers continue to enjoy the benefits of a global food market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide relevant arguments for both the benefits (variety, trade, economy) and the drawbacks (environmental impact, local competition), and you successfully balance these points to support your overall stance. The ideas are well-developed with specific examples, such as the mention of importing blueberries to Pakistan, which adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points and provides a clear summary of your position. This is a well-structured and comprehensive response that meets all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

Your essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use transition signals effectively to link your points, such as 'Moreover', 'Another important benefit', and 'Nevertheless'. The use of cohesive devices is natural and does not feel mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of your argument, which helps the reader follow your line of reasoning easily. The relationship between your ideas is clear throughout, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to navigate.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. You use topic-specific terms such as 'food security', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'domestic agriculture' accurately. Your word choice is precise, and you avoid repetition by using a variety of synonyms. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the context well, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

You display a high level of grammatical control throughout the essay. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and concessive clauses (e.g., 'While some people argue...', 'If governments support...'), with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of your sentences. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the rare slips do not impede communication or cause any confusion. Your ability to combine simple and complex structures effectively contributes to the overall readability of your writing.

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