Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30

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 7.0)

In many countries today, supermarkets offer a wide range of foods imported from different parts of the world. I believe this is a largely positive development, despite some environmental drawbacks.

The main advantage of having access to global food products is greater choice and improved nutrition. Consumers are no longer limited to seasonal or locally grown produce. For example, people in cold countries like the UK can buy tropical fruits such as mangoes and avocados throughout the year, which provides essential vitamins and a more balanced diet. Furthermore, this availability promotes cultural understanding. When people can try Japanese sushi ingredients, Indian spices or Italian cheese in their local store, they become more open to other cultures. For immigrants, it also helps them maintain their food traditions, which supports multicultural communities.

Admittedly, transporting food over long distances has negative consequences. Food miles contribute to carbon emissions and air pollution, and imported goods often require more packaging and refrigeration. This can harm the environment and also make local farmers less competitive, as they struggle to match the low prices of mass-produced imports. For instance, dairy farmers in many developing countries face pressure from cheaper imported milk powder.

However, these problems can be managed and do not outweigh the benefits. Governments can encourage more sustainable shipping and support local agriculture through subsidies, while consumers can make responsible choices by buying a mix of local and imported goods. The environmental cost is a price to pay for food security, especially in countries with harsh climates where local production is limited.

In conclusion, although the global food trade has some environmental disadvantages, I think it is a positive development overall because it improves diet, cultural exchange, and quality of life for consumers worldwide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly presenting a position on the development of global food availability. The writer considers both positive aspects, such as improved nutrition, cultural understanding, and support for immigrant traditions, and negative environmental and economic drawbacks. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as tropical fruits in the UK and dairy farmers facing pressure from imported milk powder. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, leading to a natural and logical conclusion. The response meets all the requirements of a Band 7 or higher descriptor, demonstrating a well-rounded and thoughtful exploration of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with a clear introduction, moving through well-structured body paragraphs focusing on advantages and disadvantages, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, such as 'Furthermore', 'Admittedly', and 'However', ensuring a smooth flow of ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct arguments cleanly without mechanical transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and often flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common lexical items are used appropriately, including 'seasonal produce', 'carbon emissions', 'food security', and 'multicultural communities'. Collocations are generally natural, such as 'balanced diet' and 'cultural understanding'. There are only minor lexical choices, but word choice and spelling are consistently accurate, allowing the message to be communicated with precision and ease.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple and complex sentences. The writer employs subordinate clauses and conditional elements effectively, as seen in sentences like 'When people can try Japanese sushi ingredients... they become more open to other cultures.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled with strong control. Any errors are extremely rare and do not impede communication in any way.

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