Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some consumers are increasingly choosing to buy goods that are produced in their local area, rather than imported goods.

What are the reasons for this?

Is this a positive or a negative trend?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Many people nowadays prefer to purchase locally produced goods instead of imported products. This shift in consumer behaviour is mainly driven by concerns about product quality, environmental protection, and support for the local economy. In my opinion, this is a positive trend because it benefits both communities and the environment.

One of the main reasons people choose local products is that they often trust their quality and freshness. For example, locally grown fruits and vegetables usually reach consumers more quickly than imported ones, making them fresher and more nutritious. By purchasing locally made goods, consumers help create jobs and contribute to the growth of small businesses, which strengthens the local economy.

I believe this is a positive development for several reasons. Firstly, buying local products reduces the need for long-distance transportation, which lowers carbon emissions and helps protect the environment. This can lead to more employment opportunities and better living standards. For instance, many farmers' markets have become popular because they allow consumers to buy fresh produce directly from local farmers while ensuring that the farmers receive fair prices.

However, imported goods still have an important role because they provide products that may not be available locally and often offer consumers a wider variety of choices. Nevertheless, when suitable local alternatives are available, choosing them generally brings social, economic, and environmental benefits.

In conclusion, people are increasingly purchasing locally produced goods because they value quality, freshness, and the opportunity to support local businesses. Overall, I believe this is a positive trend as it promotes sustainable development, strengthens economies, and reduces environmental damage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified the reasons for the trend (quality, freshness, economic support) and provided a clear position that it is a positive development. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between local consumption and environmental benefits. The argument is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion on the 'negative' aspects or potential challenges of this trend to provide a more nuanced, balanced perspective, although your current approach is sufficient for a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly,' 'For instance,' and 'Nevertheless,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The flow is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'consumer behaviour,' 'sustainable development,' and 'long-distance transportation' are used accurately. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision. While the range is adequate and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. For example, instead of 'help create jobs,' you might use 'stimulate employment opportunities.' Overall, the lexical control is solid, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'when suitable local alternatives are available, choosing them generally brings...' which shows good control over complex grammar. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional forms, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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