Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-11

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 7.5)

In the modern era, globalization has transformed the food industry, allowing supermarkets worldwide to stock products imported from various continents. While this trend has raised valid environmental and local economic concerns, I firmly believe that the widespread availability of global good products is a overwhelmingly positive development due to its contribution to dietary diversity and global economic collaboration.

On the one hand, the primary criticism of importing food centers on its environmental impact. Transporting agricultural goods across vast distances via airplanes and cargo ships often referred to as "food miles" generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating climate change. Additionally, heavy reliance on cheap foreign imports can jeopardize local agriculture, as domestic farmers often struggle to compete with the low prices of mass-produced international goods. For instance, local fruit growers may see their profits decline when supermarkets choose cheaper, imported alternatives.

On the other hand, the benefits of globalized food distribution are profound. First and foremost, it significantly enhances food security and nutritional diversity for consumers. People are no longer restricted to seasonal or regional produce; citizens living in colder climates can enjoy fresh, vitamin-rich tropical fruits like bananas and nutritious diet. Furthermore, the international food trade provides crucial economic support to developing nations. Many agricultural economies rely heavily on exporting specialized cash crops, such as coffee from Ethiopia or cocoa from Ghana to wealthier global markets, which creates jobs and drives local economic development.

To sum up, although the carbon footprint and pressure on local farmers are legitimate drawbacks to importing food, the advantages are far more impactful. The global food trade not only enriches consumer diets and ensures year- round sustenance but also fosters vital economic pathways for developing nations. Therefore, it represents a highly progressive and positive development for global society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the environmental and economic drawbacks before presenting a strong counter-argument regarding food security and global economic support. The use of specific examples, such as 'coffee from Ethiopia' and 'cocoa from Ghana', effectively supports your points. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the opposing viewpoints is smooth, using effective cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'To sum up'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is well-managed, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'dietary diversity', 'global economic collaboration', 'greenhouse gas emissions', and 'year-round sustenance' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good command of less common lexical items, and your word choices are appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the vocabulary used is sophisticated enough to convey your ideas effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'Transporting agricultural goods... often referred to as "food miles" generates...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are only very occasional minor slips, such as the missing article in 'nutritious diet' or the slight awkwardness in 'global good products', but these do not detract from the overall clarity or quality of the writing.

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