Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-27

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)

Nowadays, supermarkets in many countries offer consumers an increasingly wide range of food products from around the world. I believe this is a largely positive development because it gives people greater choice and access to products that were previously unavailable, although it can also create some environmental concerns.

One major advantage of this trend is that consumers have access to a much greater variety of food. People can purchase ingredients from different cultures and enjoy dishes that would otherwise be difficult to prepare. This is particularly beneficial for people who have dietary requirements or preferences that may not be well served by local products. For example, supermarkets in Europe commonly sell Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American ingredients, allowing customers to prepare authentic international meals at home.

Another positive aspect is that international food trade can benefit both consumers and producers. Farmers and food manufacturers can sell their products to overseas markets, potentially increasing their income and creating employment. At the same time, consumers may benefit from competitive prices because supermarkets can source products from countries where certain foods can be produced more efficiently. This global availability can also reduce dependence on seasonal local production.

However, transporting food over long distances can have negative environmental consequences. Imported products may require extensive transportation, refrigeration and packaging, all of which can contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions. In addition, consumers may become more dependent on imported food and purchase fewer locally produced products, potentially harming small local farmers and businesses.

Despite these drawbacks, I consider the worldwide availability of food to be a positive development overall. The benefits of greater consumer choice, cultural diversity and international economic opportunities outweigh the disadvantages, particularly if governments and businesses encourage sustainable transportation and environmentally responsible food production.

In conclusion, although the global availability of food can increase environmental pressures and competition for local producers, it provides substantial benefits to consumers and economies. Therefore, I believe it is predominantly a positive development.

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 ideas are well-developed, with distinct paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages. You provide relevant examples, such as the availability of Asian and Latin American ingredients in Europe, which supports your argument effectively. The conclusion provides a clear summary that reinforces your initial stance. The response is balanced, acknowledging the environmental concerns while ultimately arguing that the benefits are more significant. This demonstrates a high level of task response.

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 benefits and the drawbacks is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases like 'However' and 'Despite these drawbacks'. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect sentences and ideas without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of information is natural, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'increasingly wide range', 'dietary requirements', 'competitive prices', and 'environmentally responsible' show a strong command of language. You use less common lexical items with precision, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary is varied and contributes to the sophisticated tone of the writing. While it is very strong, a few more idiomatic or highly academic collocations could push this into the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures. The control over grammar is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used accurately throughout, and there are no slips that impede communication. You successfully use a variety of sentence types, which keeps the writing engaging and fluent. The grammatical accuracy is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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