Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07

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 8.0)

Here is a strong **IELTS Writing Task 2** sample answer, aiming for a Band 7–8 level:

IELTS Essay — Imported Food in Supermarkets✓

Nowadays, supermarkets in many countries offer a wide range of food products imported from different parts of the world. Although this trend has some disadvantages, I believe it is largely a positive development because it provides consumers with greater choice and supports international trade.

One major advantage of internationally sourced food is that it gives consumers access to a much wider variety of products. People can enjoy foods that cannot be produced locally because of climate or geographical conditions. For example, consumers in Pakistan can easily buy fruits such as apples from New Zealand or dates from Middle Eastern countries. This variety not only makes people's diets more diverse but also allows them to experience different cultures through food.

Another benefit is that international food trade can provide economic opportunities for producing countries. Farmers and food companies can sell their products to larger markets, which can increase their income and create employment. In addition, competition between local and foreign producers may encourage businesses to improve the quality of their products and keep prices competitive. For instance, the availability of imported dairy products or packaged foods can encourage domestic companies to offer better products at reasonable prices.

However, there are also some negative consequences. Transporting food over very long distances requires considerable amounts of fuel and therefore contributes to carbon emissions. Furthermore, imported products may compete with local farmers, particularly when foreign goods are cheaper. If consumers increasingly prefer imported food, small local producers may struggle to remain profitable.

Despite these drawbacks, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Environmental problems can be reduced through more efficient transportation and greater emphasis on locally produced food, while international trade provides consumers with greater choice and creates economic opportunities for producers.

In conclusion, the availability of food from around the world in supermarkets is generally a positive development. It offers consumers greater variety and supports international trade, although governments and businesses should take steps to reduce its environmental impact and protect local producers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct point—consumer choice, economic benefits, and environmental/local impacts. The arguments are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of fruit imports in Pakistan and the impact on local farmers. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a higher band, ensure that the counter-argument is balanced with a slightly more nuanced discussion of how the 'negative' aspects might be mitigated, but overall, the response is comprehensive and logically structured.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although this trend', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Despite these drawbacks'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different themes. The referencing is clear, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow. The structure is professional and contributes to a very readable response. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'internationally sourced food', 'geographical conditions', 'economic opportunities', and 'remain profitable' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. You have also used less common items with awareness of collocation, such as 'carbon emissions' and 'competitive prices'. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for an academic context. While the range is strong, incorporating a few more sophisticated, academic synonyms or idiomatic collocations could elevate the score further, but the current level is already quite high and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this trend has some disadvantages, I believe...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex forms to maintain interest and clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The accuracy is high, and the sentence variety shows a good level of flexibility. This is a very strong performance in terms of grammatical control.

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

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