Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25

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 5.0)

Some people are choosing to buy local goods over imported ones and I think it is a positive trend.

There are two main reasons for buying local goods. First and foremost reason relates to the community. In other words, in small towns people have their small businesses and community loves to support them.for instance, in my town we always have Tuesday farmers market , where locals put their small shops of fruits, wines and much more. The second reason pertains to the quality. At local shops, we can buy fresh food than the superstores and we can support the local small farmers.

I personally think that it is a positive trend .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 112 words. Consequently, the ideas are significantly underdeveloped. While the essay identifies two reasons for buying local goods—community support and quality—these points are not extended or supported with sufficient detail to meet the requirements of a full essay. The position is stated, but the lack of length prevents a comprehensive discussion of whether the trend is positive or negative. To improve, you must expand each body paragraph with more detailed explanations, additional examples, and a more thorough analysis of the implications of the trend.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into very short paragraphs, which makes the progression of ideas feel fragmented. While there are some basic cohesive devices used, such as 'First and foremost' and 'In other words', the overall structure is too brief to demonstrate a logical flow of argument. The paragraphing is present but ineffective due to the lack of content. To improve, you should aim to develop each paragraph into a cohesive unit of thought, using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one to build a coherent argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is functional but basic. You use simple terms like 'small shops', 'fresh food', and 'small businesses' repeatedly. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. The phrase 'locals put their small shops' is slightly unnatural; a more precise term would be 'vendors set up stalls'. To reach a higher band, you need to incorporate a wider range of vocabulary related to economics, consumer behavior, and community development, and focus on using more precise collocations to express your ideas more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is generally understandable, but the range of structures is very limited. Most sentences are simple or compound. There are minor errors, such as 'community loves' (should be 'the community loves') and 'Tuesday farmers market' (should be 'Tuesday farmers' market'). The sentence 'we can buy fresh food than the superstores' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'fresher food than that found in superstores'. To improve, you should practice using a variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and conditional sentences, while paying closer attention to articles and comparative structures.

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

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