Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29

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 5.5)

In most countries nowadays, users can go to a supermarket and purchase food which produced all over the world. I believe this is positive development because it gives a lot of options and supports international trade although it can also create problems for farmers. Overall, i believe this is a positive development.

There are many advantages when consumers buy imported products. The main advantage is that it provides vast options to the buyers. For example, when people go to the malls they can buy items of different countries like mexican food, italian food etc. There is also another benefit that it supports international trade like countries export their food and sort of things like household equipment. As a result, it increases the job market also. There are more opportunities for farmers and transport workers.

Beside these advantages it also has drawbacks. It also create problems for farmers. Because sometimes the imported food is cheaper than locally made food. For example, sometimes it is possible that supermarkets may sell imported items cheaper than locally made items. As a result, buyers can prefer to buy the imported items, so it automatically affects the farmers. Another drawback is that it can also effects the environment. Like when some fruit exorts from Australia to Pakistan it may travel by plane or ship which requires large amount of fuel and then it creates damage to the enviroment.

In conclusion, although it can create problems for farmers and also effects the environment, but i believe there are more benefits over disadvantages. Because it provide variety to the consumers and also promote international tade.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the positive and negative aspects of global food availability in supermarkets, taking a clear position that it is a positive development. Ideas are relevant, presenting arguments about variety and international trade versus effects on local farmers and the environment. However, some arguments are slightly repetitive or under-developed, such as the brief mention of job markets and transport workers without further elaboration. These tendencies place the response firmly in Band 6, as all parts of the task are addressed, but the development of ideas lacks the depth and extension required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. However, cohesion is at times mechanical or faulty, relying on repetitive transitions like 'For example' and 'Another drawback is'. Furthermore, referencing and logical progression occasionally falter, such as the abrupt transition in the final paragraph starting with 'In conclusion, although it can create problems... but i believe...'. These features are characteristic of Band 6, where cohesion is noticeable and sometimes mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'international trade', 'imported products', and 'transport workers'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, including 'users' instead of 'consumers', 'which produced' missing a verb, 'exorts' (exports), and repetitive use of basic phrases like 'locally made food'. Additionally, grammatical forms of words are sometimes confused, such as 'effects' used as a verb where 'affects' is required. These issues reflect Band 6, where vocabulary is adequate but contains inaccuracies and occasional spelling errors that do not impede overall communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at subordinate clauses ('although it can also create problems', 'when people go to the malls'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly missing auxiliary verbs ('food which produced'), incorrect verb forms ('it also create', 'it also effects'), and punctuation or capitalization issues (such as lowercase 'i'). Complex sentences often contain errors, though simple sentences are generally clear and communication is rarely impeded. This performance aligns with Band 6 descriptors, which highlight a mix of structures alongside persistent errors in grammar.

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