Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11

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)

This is an **IELTS Writing Task 2** question. Here is a strong Band 7–8 style answer:

IELTS Writing Task 2 — Global 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 may have some disadvantages, I believe it is largely a positive development because it gives consumers greater choice and supports international trade.

One major advantage is that people can enjoy a much wider variety of food than in the past. Different countries have different climates and agricultural products, so importing food allows consumers to buy items that cannot be produced locally. For example, people living in India can easily purchase fruits such as apples from New Zealand or avocados from countries where the climate is more suitable for growing them. This variety also enables people to experience different cultures through their food.

Another benefit is that international food trade can create economic opportunities. Farmers and food producers can sell their products to foreign markets, which can increase their income and create employment in agriculture, packaging and transportation. In addition, competition between domestic and foreign producers may encourage companies to improve the quality of their products and keep prices reasonable.

However, there are some negative consequences. Transporting food over very long distances can increase carbon emissions and contribute to environmental problems. Furthermore, consumers may choose imported products instead of locally produced food, which could negatively affect small farmers and local businesses. Nevertheless, these problems can be reduced by encouraging people to purchase local products when they are available and by improving environmentally friendly transportation methods.

In conclusion, although the global availability of food can have environmental and economic drawbacks, I believe it is generally a positive development. The greater choice for consumers and the economic opportunities created by international trade outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on consumer choice and economic benefits. You also acknowledge the counter-arguments regarding environmental impact and local businesses, which adds depth to your analysis. The examples provided, such as the trade of apples and avocados, are relevant and effectively support your arguments. The conclusion provides a clear summary that reinforces your initial stance. Overall, the response is well-structured and demonstrates a strong ability to present a balanced view while clearly stating a personal opinion.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Although this trend', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on advantages, one on disadvantages, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'agricultural products', 'economic opportunities', 'carbon emissions', and 'environmentally friendly' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good awareness of collocation, and you avoid repetitive language. While the vocabulary is precise and effective, it stays within a standard academic register. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations, but the current range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this trend may have some disadvantages, I believe it is largely a positive development'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent, and the variety of sentence forms contributes to the overall readability of the text. Your command of grammar is consistent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the response.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.