Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24

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 many countries today, supermarkets stock a wide range of food products imported from all over the world. In my opinion, although this trend has some negative impacts on the environment and local producers, it is overall a positive development because it offers consumers greater variety and ensures year-round food security.

On the one hand, relying on imported food creates notable drawbacks. The most significant issue is the environmental cost of long-distance transportation. Shipping fruits, vegetables, and meat via air or sea requires massive amounts of fuel, contributing heavily to carbon emissions and climate change. Furthermore, the high demand for global produce can harm local farmers, who often struggle to compete with cheaper, mass-produced imports. Consequently, this can weaken domestic agriculture and reduce community self-sufficiency.

On the other hand, the availability of international food offers major advantages. Firstly, it gives consumers access to a diverse range of products, improving dietary options and quality of life. People can enjoy exotic fruits, spices, and specialty items that cannot grow in their local climate. Secondly, importing food helps stabilize supplies in regions affected by bad weather, seasonal shortages, or crop failure. For example, countries with cold winters can maintain a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the year by importing from warmer regions.

In conclusion, while imported food causes environmental concerns and presents challenges for local farming, I believe the benefits outweigh these drawbacks. Access to a wide variety of nutritious foods and a reliable year-round supply make globalized food distribution a largely positive trend for modern society. (261 words)

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the environmental and economic drawbacks against the benefits of variety and food security. Each paragraph is supported by relevant reasoning and examples, such as the mention of fuel consumption for transportation and the specific scenario of countries with cold winters. The ideas are extended logically, demonstrating a clear understanding of the complexity of the topic. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt, meeting all requirements 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 negative impacts and the positive advantages is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use topic-specific terms such as 'domestic agriculture', 'self-sufficiency', 'globalized food distribution', and 'carbon emissions' accurately. The language is natural and appropriate for an academic context. While there is no attempt at highly sophisticated or idiomatic language, the vocabulary used is precise and conveys your meaning clearly without any errors in word choice or collocation. The range is flexible enough to allow for a nuanced discussion of the topic, which is characteristic of a strong performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of concessive clauses ('although this trend has...') and conditional-like structures ('that cannot grow in their local climate'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent throughout the text. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is accurate. Your writing demonstrates a high level of control, with only very minor, if any, slips, which is consistent with the criteria for a high band score.

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