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)

Some consumers are increasingly choosing to buy goods produced in their local area rather than imported products. This trend has become more noticeable in recent years as people have become more aware of the benefits of supporting local businesses. There are several reasons for this change, and I believe it is a positive development overall.

One important reason is that people want to support local businesses and workers. When consumers buy locally produced goods, their money stays within the community, which helps small businesses grow and creates more employment opportunities. Another reason is that local products, especially food, are often fresher and of better quality because they do not need to be transported over long distances. For example, many people prefer buying vegetables, fruits and dairy products from nearby farms. In addition, purchasing local goods can reduce pollution because fewer goods need to be transported by trucks, ships or aeroplanes.

I believe this is a positive trend because it can benefit both the economy and the environment. Supporting local producers can help farmers, manufacturers and shop owners earn a stable income and contribute to the development of the local economy. Furthermore, reducing the transportation of imported products can lower carbon emissions and help protect the environment. It may also encourage local producers to improve the quality of their products in order to attract more customers.

In conclusion, consumers are increasingly choosing local products because they want to support their communities, purchase fresher goods and reduce environmental damage. Although imported products can sometimes be cheaper and provide greater variety, I believe that buying local goods is mainly a positive trend because of its economic and environmental benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying clear reasons for the trend—such as supporting local economies and environmental benefits—and providing a clear position that it is a positive development. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of fresh produce from nearby farms. The argument is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, you could expand slightly more on the potential downsides of local purchasing to provide a more nuanced discussion, though the current development is sufficient for a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One important reason,' 'Another reason,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore.' These transitions help guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the reasons from the evaluation of the trend. The structure is clear and supports the overall flow of the essay well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task. You use a range of topic-specific terms such as 'employment opportunities,' 'carbon emissions,' and 'stable income.' The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary. However, the current usage is error-free and fits the context perfectly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is strong, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'When consumers buy locally produced goods, their money stays within the community, which helps small businesses grow.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is consistently accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. This level of control is indicative of a high-scoring response.

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