Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10

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 6.5)

These days, you can walk into almost any local supermarket and find food shipped in from every corner of the planet. While it definitely raises a few fair questions about the environment, I honestly think this is a huge plus for most of us because it gives us way better food options and helps out global economies. I will state my reasons in this essay.

For starters, the sheer variety of food we get today is incredible. We are no longer stuck eating only what’s in season locally. If you live somewhere cold and crave fresh strawberries or avocados in the middle of January, you can just grab them off the shelf. On top of that, having access to international ingredients lets people experiment with cooking dishes from different cultures right at home, which makes eating a lot more exciting.

Furthermore, there is also a big economic upside, especially for developing countries. A lot of smaller or lower-income nations rely heavily on exporting crops like coffee beans, cocoa, and exotic fruits. When big supermarket chains buy these products in bulk, it creates jobs and puts steady money into the hands of local farmers who might otherwise struggle to make a living.

However, that being said its entirely problem-free. Shipping food thousands of miles via planes and cargo ships generates tons of carbon emissions, which people often call "high food miles." Plus, when imported produce is super cheap, it can make life tough for local farmers who are trying to sell their own crops at fair prices.

Overall, even with the environmental drawbacks and the extra pressure on local growers, I think the pros still outweigh the cons. Being able to eat a healthy, varied diet year-round while supporting international growers makes global food trade a major win overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the development is positive. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of 'high food miles' and the economic benefits for developing nations. The argument is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could further develop the counter-argument to ensure a more balanced exploration of the complexities, perhaps by discussing potential solutions to the environmental impact mentioned. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'For starters', 'Furthermore', and 'However, that being said' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits from the drawbacks. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text, meeting the criteria for a solid band 7 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and allows for clear communication. The student uses some effective collocations like 'global food trade', 'carbon emissions', and 'exotic fruits'. While the range is sufficient for the task, it lacks the more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would characterize a higher band. Some phrases, such as 'huge plus' or 'way better', are slightly informal for an academic essay. Increasing the use of more academic, precise terminology would elevate the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically accurate. There are a few minor errors, such as the missing 'is' in 'that being said its entirely problem-free', which is a punctuation and grammar slip. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The control of punctuation is generally good, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain reader interest. The writing is clear and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar.

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

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