Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In many countries, consumers can now visit a supermarket and purchase food that has been produced in different parts of the world. In my opinion, this is largely a positive development, although it can also create some challenges for local businesses and the environment in that country.

One major advantage is that consumers have access to a much wider variety of food throughout the year. For example, people can buy fruits, vegetables, spices, and other products that may not be produced in their own country. This gives consumers more choice and allows them to experience different cultures through food. Imported food can also be helpful when certain products are unavailable locally because of weather conditions or seasonal limitations.

Another benefit is that international trade can support economic growth. Countries can export products in which they have a competitive advantage, while importing goods that are difficult or expensive to produce locally. This can create business opportunities and strengthen relationships between countries.

However, there are also some disadvantages. Transporting food over long distances can increase carbon emissions and negatively affect the environment. In addition, cheaper imported products may create strong competition for local farmers and small businesses. If consumers prefer imported goods, local producers may struggle to maintain their income.

Overall, I believe that the availability of food from around the world is a positive development because it provides greater choice and supports international trade. However, governments and consumers should also support local producers and encourage environmentally responsible transportation and production methods.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the development is largely positive while acknowledging the drawbacks. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, such as the discussion on seasonal availability and economic benefits, balanced against environmental and local business concerns. The argument is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, concrete examples (e.g., naming a specific type of produce or a specific region) to further extend the supporting arguments, as the current examples are somewhat general in nature.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as the benefits of variety, economic growth, and the environmental/local impact. Cohesive devices like 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses terms like 'competitive advantage', 'seasonal limitations', and 'environmentally responsible' correctly. The range is adequate to convey complex ideas without difficulty. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a band 8 or 9. The word choice is precise enough to ensure the message is communicated clearly throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors present. Complex structures, such as 'Countries can export products in which they have a competitive advantage', are handled with control. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. Because the majority of sentences are error-free and the range of structures is solid, the writing is very easy to read and professional in tone.

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

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