Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-21

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)

It is widely acknowledged that availability of food produced all over the world in supermarket has now become an increasingly contentious issue in contemporary society. While some proponents assert that it is a negative development due to environmental damage and harm to local farmers. I firmly contend that it is a positive development. This essay will critically examine the issue before reaching the balanced conclusion.

To commence with, one compelling justification for considering this is a positive trend is that it offers immense variety and year-round nutritional benefits. This is largely attributed to globalization and advanced transportation which allow consumers to buy seasonal fruits at any time of the year. As a result, it is reasonable to infer that people can now enjob more balanced and healthy diet. For example, consumers can now buy avocados and kiwis which ultimately fosters positive outcomes.

Another pivotal consideration is its economic and cultural advantages although it has some environmental drawbacks.

From a broader perspective this may give rise to significant development in international trade and cultural exchange.

A pertinent example is exporting pakistani mangoes and rice creates income for local farmers while long doistance transport for importing food clearly underscores the potential impact on pollution.

To recaptulate, although differing viewpoints persist the prepondarance of evidance supports the view that its advantages outweigh its drawbacks. Therfore, adopting this approach appears both pragmatic and benefical in long run.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You state a clear overall view—“I firmly contend that it is a positive development”—and give relevant reasons, including greater food variety, year-round access, trade and cultural exchange. However, the response only partially develops these points. The example of avocados and kiwis does not explain their nutritional benefit, while the paragraph on trade introduces pollution and farmer income without clearly weighing these against your position. The opening also promises a “balanced conclusion,” but the argument does not fully examine the opposing view. The response is 17 words below the required minimum, which limits the space available to explain and support your ideas. Develop each main reason with a clear explanation and a specific, relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “To commence with” and “To recapitulate” help identify stages of the argument. However, progression within the body paragraphs is uneven. The second paragraph moves from economic and cultural advantages to pollution, but the relationship between these points and your overall position is not made explicit. The sentence beginning “Another pivotal consideration” is also separated from the following explanation, making the paragraph feel fragmented. Some linking phrases sound formulaic rather than connecting ideas precisely. Organise each paragraph around one main claim, then explain it and link the example back to your view; use referencing and transitions to make those connections clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic-related vocabulary, including “globalization,” “year-round,” “international trade,” “cultural exchange” and “environmental drawbacks.” These choices allow you to discuss several aspects of the issue, and some less common expressions show an attempt to use a formal academic style. However, a number of word-choice and spelling errors reduce precision: “enjob,” “long doistance,” “recaptulate,” “prepondarance,” “evidance” and “benefical.” Some phrases are also awkward or imprecise, such as “positive outcomes” and “significant development in international trade.” Aim for accurate spelling and more specific collocations, so that your vocabulary communicates the intended point naturally rather than relying on broad formal-sounding phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a concession in “although it has some environmental drawbacks” and a relative clause in “which allow consumers to buy seasonal fruits.” Meaning is generally understandable, but some sentence structures and punctuation need more control. “While some proponents assert that it is a negative development due to environmental damage and harm to local farmers” is a dependent clause presented as a complete sentence; connect it to the main clause. In “a more balanced and healthy diet,” the article is missing, and “exporting Pakistani mangoes and rice creates income” has an unclear subject construction. Review sentence boundaries, articles and agreement, and practise building complex sentences that remain complete and grammatically clear.

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