Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-17

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 offer more imported food from different parts of the world. Some people think it’s favorable for consumers to enjoy imported food while some of them say it also has some drawbacks. In my opinion, availability of food in supermarkets from all over the world is a positive development for many countries all over the world. This essay will give the reason for my perspective.

To commence with, there are some benefits of imported food in supermarkets all over the world. The main advantage is access of wide variety and nutritious food. Seasonal fruits and veggies cannot grow throughout the year due to climate change. For example, in Pakistan apples are imported from Australia in which consumers of Pakistan can enjoy them in all seasons and fulfill their nutritional need. In addition, international products motivate people to try new cuisines, making everyday meals more enjoyable. Another important benefit is the positive effect on the global economy. For instance, international trade provides employment possibilities for farmers, manufacturers, transport companies, and retailers.

However, importing food is not without drawbacks. Transporting products over long distances increases carbon emissions, adding to environmental problems. Moreover, local farmers may struggle to compete with cheaper imported goods, which could lower their income and threaten domestic agriculture. Nevertheless, governments can address these problems by supporting local producers while promoting environmentally friendly transport and sustainable farming practices.

In conclusion, despite some environmental and economic concerns, I think that the availability of food from around the world is a positive development. It gives customers greater choice, improves food availability, and supports international trade. With proper government policies, the negative effects can be minimized, allowing society to enjoy the benefits of a global food market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both sides of the issue and clearly stating their position that the global availability of food is a positive development. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations, such as nutritional needs and global economic benefits, and counterarguments regarding carbon emissions and local farmers are acknowledged. For example, the student notes that 'in Pakistan apples are imported from Australia in which consumers of Pakistan can enjoy them in all seasons'. However, there is a tendency to over-generalise slightly, and some supporting details could be more fully developed to reach the highest band. Overall, the task is answered effectively, earning a solid band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response features a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from introduction to benefits, drawbacks, and a well-synthesised conclusion. The student uses cohesive devices appropriately, such as 'To commence with', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Nevertheless'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively to group related ideas. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions prevent the text from achieving the higher flexibility seen in Band 8. Overall, the essay flows well and is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, demonstrating an adequate range for the task. Words and phrases like 'nutritious food', 'global economy', 'carbon emissions', and 'domestic agriculture' show a good grasp of topic-specific language. There are some attempts to use less common items with general awareness of style, although occasional minor awkwardness or word-choice errors occur, such as 'access of wide variety' instead of 'access to a wide variety'. Spelling and word choice remain generally accurate and do not impede communication at all.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and conditional structures successfully. There are frequent error-free sentences, such as 'Transporting products over long distances increases carbon emissions, adding to environmental problems.' Good control of grammar and punctuation is evident, although a few minor errors persist, such as 'availability of food in supermarkets from all over the world is a positive development' lacking an article before availability in the first instance, or minor preposition slips. These errors do not impede communication, matching the criteria well.

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