Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07
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)
It is widely acknowledged that locally source food are becoming more popular in many parts of the world. I believe that the reason for this is the affordability and health benefits of the products. This essay will further discuss the rationale in detail and explain whether it is a positive or negative trend.
One of the most compelling reasons why some buyers are shifting their products preferences from imported goods to local products is due to their low cost. This is largely because there is no additional tariffs imposed on these goods, which consequently enable consumers to save significant amount of money. By purchasing local goods, consumers can have more capacity to purchase other goods or avail services, thereby improving their socioeconomic status. This also supports the government since this mean more taxes , which can then further support public welfare, such as better healthcare and education benefits. Another significant factor to consider is that locally produced goods found to be more healthy. This is due to the fact that most of the ingredients used in these products do not contain additives or preservatives, which is essential for imported goods, such as food since they have to ensure that the "product life" can stay longer if its being transported to various places around the world.
In my opinion, I strongly believe that people who are purchasing goods made from their own countries are a positive trend, mainly because they generate more jobs, thus improving labor force. When people buy more products, the human labor necessary to meet this demand increases too. Moreover, consumers who prefer to purchase local goods can drive sustainable trading globally. For instance, if people will continue to buy more imported goods it is highly likely that this will further put pressure on the ecosystem. For example, labor of products that are considered labor intensive, such as fast clothing can further put pressure on the environment because of the carbon dioxide that these products emit.
In conclusion, cost and health benefits of the local goods made them a preferable choice for many consumers because they improve both the people and the government economic status. At the same time, local products greatly assist countries around t eh world to promote sustainable trading.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for the trend and clearly stating a position on whether it is positive. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic benefits of avoiding tariffs and the environmental impact of global trade. However, some arguments could be more fully developed; for instance, the link between local purchasing and 'sustainable trading' is mentioned but remains slightly abstract. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, ensure that all claims, such as the specific impact on the 'ecosystem', are supported with more precise logical steps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, there are instances where the flow is slightly mechanical, and some referencing is a bit repetitive. The progression of ideas is generally clear, though the transition between the economic benefits and the environmental impact could be smoother to enhance the overall coherence of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated collocations like 'socioeconomic status' and 'labor intensive'. However, there are several word-choice errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'locally source food' (should be 'locally sourced'), 'products preferences' (should be 'product preferences'), and 't eh world' (typo). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise control over word forms and spelling. Expanding the range of vocabulary to include more topic-specific terminology would help elevate the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('locally source food are', 'this mean more taxes') and awkward phrasing ('if its being transported'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor slips throughout. While the writer attempts complex structures, the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage would significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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