Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-27

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)

In this contemporary world, focus has been shifted to the local produces from imported goods. This is mainly because people believe local products are fresher, of higher quality, and contribute positively to the national economy. In my view, this is a highly positive trend that benefits both individuals and society as a whole.

The predominant reason why people prefer local products is they believe in the quality and freshness of these goods. To explain, locally produced goods such as fruits, vegetables and meat are directly delivered to the markets from farms, ensuring they are fresh and the quality is not deteriorated due to long transportation hours. For example, Spain is hub of oranges so local people prefer to purchase it from the local market rather than relaying on the imported oranges from European countries.

Another important reason is the positive impact on the national economy. When consumers prioritize local goods, they support local farmers, businesses, and workers, which strengthens the economic system. For instance, increasing demand for local products creates more job opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail sectors. This not only boosts employment but also encourages sustainable production practices within the country.

While it is true that imported goods offer more variety, I believe that the advantages of supporting local products far outweigh the benefits of foreign ones. By focusing on local trade, nations can become more self-sufficient and resilient against global economic fluctuations.

In conclusion, the growing preference for locally produced goods is a very positive trend. It ensures better quality products for consumers and strengthens the national economy, which ultimately benefits the entire country. Therefore, I strongly support the movement towards buying local goods over imported alternatives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend (freshness, quality, and economic impact) and a distinct position on whether it is positive. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the economic argument regarding job creation and sustainability. The introduction and conclusion clearly state the writer's stance, and the supporting paragraphs provide relevant examples, such as the reference to Spain's orange production. The response is balanced and maintains a consistent focus throughout, meeting all requirements for a Band 7.0 or higher. To reach a higher band, the writer could provide more nuanced analysis of potential downsides to local trade to further demonstrate critical thinking.

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 'To explain,' 'Another important reason,' and 'While it is true that' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a clear expression of ideas. The writer uses topic-specific terms such as 'sustainable production practices,' 'economic fluctuations,' and 'self-sufficient' effectively. There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'local produces' (should be 'local produce') and 'Spain is hub of oranges' (missing an article). However, these errors do not impede communication. The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, demonstrating a good command of academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'When consumers prioritize local goods, they support...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'relay on' instead of 'relying on' and the missing article in 'Spain is hub of oranges.' These are non-systematic errors that do not affect the clarity of the message. The punctuation is used correctly throughout, contributing to the overall readability of the response.

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