Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-12

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 6.5)

Nowadays, supermarkets in many countries offer a wide range of food products imported from different parts of the world. I believe this is a positive development because it gives consumers greater choice and allows them to enjoy different types of food.

One reason why this is a positive development is that supermarkets can import food from countries with different climates and food traditions. This means that consumers are not limited to locally produced products and can try different cuisines according to their tastes and preferences. As a result, people can enjoy a wider variety of food and have more freedom when choosing what to eat. For example, customers in India can easily buy Italian pasta, Japanese noodles or Mexican sauces in large supermarkets. In addition, some imported food products are available throughout the year, even when they are not produced locally.

However, there are also some disadvantages to this development. One major concern is that local producers may struggle to compete with international products. This is because large international companies can sometimes offer food at lower prices and spend more money on advertising. As a result, local farmers and small food businesses may lose customers and face lower incomes. For instance, local fruit sellers may find it difficult to compete with cheaper imported fruits sold in large supermarkets. Nevertheless, I believe this problem can be reduced if governments provide support to local producers.

In conclusion, the availability of international food in supermarkets is a positive development overall. Although it can create difficulties for local producers, consumers benefit from greater variety, more choice and access to food from different countries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by taking a clear, well-supported position that the availability of global food in supermarkets is a positive development. The writer introduces relevant ideas regarding consumer choice, access to out-of-season products, and culinary diversity. These ideas are extended with appropriate examples, such as Indian consumers being able to buy Italian pasta or Mexican sauces. Furthermore, the writer acknowledges the counterargument concerning local producers and small businesses struggling to compete, before successfully refuting or balancing it. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, and the conclusion neatly summarises the main points. This aligns well with the requirements for a Band 7.0 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the primary advantage, the counterargument with its own example, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, employing transition words and phrases such as 'One reason why', 'As a result', 'For example', and 'Nevertheless'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing is generally clear and straightforward, the level of cohesion leans slightly towards being mechanical rather than entirely natural or flexible, which places this text firmly at the Band 7 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The writer uses an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'imported from different parts of the world', 'culinary traditions', 'preferences', and 'international products' demonstrate sufficient flexibility and precision. There are also attempts at less common lexical items, such as 'struggle to compete' and 'face lower incomes'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat standard and occasionally repetitive, lacking the sophisticated, uncommon collocations and idiomatic phrasing typical of higher bands. Spelling and word choice are accurate, ensuring communication is never impeded. This corresponds to a solid Band 6.0 or 6.5, leaning towards the higher end due to its clear communicative effectiveness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and relative clauses, such as in the sentence 'This means that consumers are not limited to locally produced products and can try different cuisines according to their tastes and preferences.' Punctuation and sentence boundary control are sound throughout the text. While there are minor slip-ups or slightly repetitive structural patterns, the majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors do not impede communication. This performance satisfies the criteria for a Band 7.0.

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

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