Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 6.5)

There is an ongoing debate regarding people who prefer to purchase products that are locally produced in their area rather than buying imported goods. This is a positive trend as it supports the local economy and creates employment opportunities.

In many countries, people prefer to buy goods that are locally manufactured, this leads to an increase in demand for the items and their production. Locally made items are usually affordable and accessible which attracts the consumer ultimately benefitting both the seller and the producer. For example, items produced in the local market face less taxation and are thus more affordable as compared to the imported items which are expensive due to taxes and duties at customs. Another reason to support this trend is an increase in employment opportunities. When people purchase their own production, industries flourish and expand based on the demand which positively influences the job market.

Moreover, many local products like food items, clothing and furniture are a reflection of the country's heritage and cultural significance. Homemade crafts and traditional arts are recognized worldwide if they are locally popular.

On the other hand, many people trust imported brands due to their global popularity and consumption. Status conscious people mostly prefer international commodities to seek validation of society. Although imported items provide a wider range of choices and improved quality, local items are cheaper, convenient, offer freshness and quality of food.

In conclusion, while both arguments hold merit, I believe the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages. This is because it leads to community support and promotes local wealth and culture.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for the preference for local goods and clearly stating a position that it is a positive trend. The ideas are relevant, such as economic benefits, employment, and cultural preservation. However, the development is somewhat uneven; while the economic arguments are clear, the discussion on cultural significance is brief and could have been expanded with a specific example. The conclusion effectively summarizes the position. To reach a higher band, ensure that every point raised is fully supported with detailed explanation or concrete evidence to avoid a tendency toward over-generalization.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as economic benefits or cultural aspects. Cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there is some mechanical use of transitions, and the flow between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, though some sentences, such as 'In many countries, people prefer to buy goods that are locally manufactured, this leads to...', contain comma splices that slightly disrupt the logical flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'taxation', 'duties at customs', and 'cultural significance'. There are some instances of slightly imprecise word choices, such as 'purchase their own production' (which should be 'locally produced goods') and 'status conscious people' (which is a bit informal). While the range is adequate for the task, incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items would elevate the score. The spelling is accurate throughout the text, and the vocabulary is used with enough precision to avoid any confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you successfully use complex sentences, there are recurring punctuation errors, specifically comma splices (e.g., '...locally manufactured, this leads to...'). There are also minor grammatical slips, such as 'the quality of food' being slightly disconnected from the previous list. Despite these errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the majority of sentences are clear. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, and ensure that punctuation is used correctly to separate independent clauses.

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

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