Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15

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 5.5)

In this contemporary era, many individuals like to buy products which are made in local industries rather than imported from other religion and countries. As per my opinion it is a good decision for people and a positive impact for individuals.

Firstly, As i am living in a country where all the products are handmade like to use in daily household and business also they are cheap as buying products from imported shops. For example Shawls are made here in INDIA and they are cheap as per imported goods. not only for ladies there are for gents also called LOI, which protects individuals in winter season. There are many brands in INDIA for clothing but PASHMINA is well known brand in all over the world nowadays.

Secondly, If people buy products locally there is one more important factor that the employment rate of the locals will increase. For example many individuals can get work for their daily needs and get active toward their work. As people get work in local they can help in the growth of economy.

In conclusion, It is a very good trend to buy product local rather than buying imported. also people get warm in winters and can help in the growth of the economy by contributing by work in their local religon.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for buying local and the opinion on whether it is a positive trend. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas regarding economic growth and employment are relevant, they are not fully developed. The explanation of why local goods are cheaper is somewhat repetitive and lacks a broader perspective on the global economic context. To improve, you must expand your points with more detailed analysis and ensure you meet the word count to allow for a more comprehensive discussion of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic linking words like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' to signal the progression of ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is limited. For example, the transition between the discussion of clothing and the economic impact is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, try to use a wider variety of cohesive devices (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in light of this') and ensure that referencing within paragraphs is more precise to improve the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on simple terms like 'good decision', 'cheap', and 'well known'. There are also some errors in word choice, such as using 'religion' instead of 'region' and 'active toward their work' which is not a natural collocation. To improve, focus on using more academic and precise vocabulary related to economics and consumer behaviour. Expanding your range of synonyms and collocations will help you express your ideas with greater sophistication and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect readability. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'products are handmade like to use'), missing articles, and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'get active toward their work'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalisation (e.g., 'INDIA'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy will significantly improve your score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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