Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10

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)

Nowadays, an increasing number of consumers prefer to purchase locally produced goods rather than imported products. This trend can be attributed to several factors, and I believe it is largely a positive development.

One major reason for this preferences is the desire to support local businesses and the economy. When people buy products made in their own region, more money remains with in the local community, helping small businesses grow and creating employment opportunities. Another important factor is the perceived quality and freshness of local products. For example, locally grown fruits, vegetables and other food items are often fresher because they do not need to transported over long distances. In addition, consumers may have greater confidence in local producers because they can learn more about how and where their products are made.

I believe this is a positive trend for several reasons. Firstly, purchasing local goods can reduce the environmental impact of transportation. imported products often travel thousands of kilometers by ships, planes or trucks, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Buying locally can therefore help reduce pollution and support more sustainable consumption. Second, this trend can strengthen local economies by encourage people to spend their money on domestic businesses. This can lead to more jobs and greater economic stability in the community.

However, imported goods still have an important role because they provide consumers with greater variety and access to products that may not be available locally. Therefore, people should not completely avoid imported products but should consider local alternatives whenever they are suitable.

In conclusion, consumers are increasingly choosing local goods because of their quality, freshness and the desire to support local businesses. In my view, this is generally a positive trend because it benefits both the economy and the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying clear reasons for the trend (economic support and product freshness) and providing a balanced view on whether it is positive. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout. Ideas are well-developed, such as the link between local consumption and environmental benefits. The argument is logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the reduction in transportation emissions. The response is well-structured, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples or explore potential counter-arguments in greater depth, but the current development is sufficient for a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons for the trend and the evaluation of its impact is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Firstly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the flow between sentences could make the writing feel more natural. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'greenhouse gas emissions', 'economic stability', and 'sustainable consumption' appropriately. There are some minor errors, such as 'preferences' instead of 'preference' and 'with in' instead of 'within', but these do not impede communication. The range is adequate for the task, though the use of more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions would elevate the score further. The student demonstrates a good grasp of word choice, which is consistent throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a high level of accuracy, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Complex structures, such as 'When people buy products made in their own region, more money remains within the local community', are handled well. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'need to transported' (should be 'need to be transported') and 'by encourage' (should be 'by encouraging'). These are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The punctuation is generally accurate, contributing to the overall readability of the essay.

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