Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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)

In recent years, there has been a growing preference for locally produced goods over imported ones. This trend is driven by concerns about the environment and a desire to support local communities. I believe this is a largely positive method

The first reason is environmental awareness. Imported goods often travel thousands of kilometres by ship or plane, creating a large carbon footprint. Local products require less transportation, which makes them more environmentally friendly. For example, buying vegetables from a farmer in rather than imported ones from Europe reduces pollution and packaging waste.

The second reason is economic and cultural. Many people want to support local farmers, artisans, and small businesses, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic showed how fragile global supply chains can be. Local goods are also perceived as fresher and healthier. For instance, milk or fruits from a local farm are usually harvested recently and contain

I believe this is a very positive trend. Economically, it strengthens the local economy by creating jobs and keeping money within the community. Small producers can survive and grow, which leads to more diverse local markets. Environmentally, it promotes sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and encouraging seasonal eating.

Of course, some critics argue that imported goods offer more variety and sometimes lower prices due to mass production. It would be unrealistic to stop importing altogether, as some products cannot be produced locally. However, the benefits of prioritizing local goods fresher products, environmental protection, and community support far outweigh this minor drawback. A balance can be maintaiimportned where people buy local when possible but still what is necessary.

In conclusion, the shift towards local products is motivated by environmental concerns and a wish to support local economies. In my view, this is a positive trend that benefits both people and the planet, and should be encouraged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend and a distinct position on whether it is positive. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly regarding environmental and economic impacts. However, there are some minor instances of incomplete sentences or missing information, such as 'contain' at the end of the third paragraph and 'still what is necessary' in the fourth. These minor omissions slightly affect the full development of your arguments. To reach a higher band, ensure that every sentence is complete and that your examples are fully articulated to avoid leaving the reader with unfinished thoughts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the reasons for the trend from your personal evaluation. Cohesive devices such as 'The first reason is', 'The second reason is', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through your argument. While the flow is generally smooth, the occasional missing word or awkward phrasing (e.g., 'maintaiimportned') creates minor disruptions in the text. Overall, the structure is sound and supports the development of your response well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision, using terms like 'carbon footprint', 'fragile global supply chains', and 'sustainability'. There is an awareness of style, and your word choices are generally appropriate for the context. However, there are a few errors in word formation and spelling, such as 'maintaiimportned', and some sentences are left incomplete, which limits the range of vocabulary you can display. To improve, focus on proofreading to ensure that all intended words are fully formed and correctly spelled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. Many of your sentences are clear and grammatically accurate. However, there are some noticeable errors, such as the incomplete sentence 'contain' and the typo 'maintaiimportned'. Additionally, there are minor punctuation issues, such as the missing em-dashes or commas in the fourth paragraph ('fresher products, environmental protection, and community support far outweigh'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence completion and proofreading for typos will help improve your accuracy.

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

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