Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-19

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)

Some consumers now choose to purchase locally manufactured products rather than buying imported goods, which could be largely attributed to the cost-effectiveness and easy accessibility of these products. This trend is a positive development because it supports economic growth and provides job opportunities for the local residents.

One of the reasons why people buy locally manufactured products is because they are often cheaper than imported goods. Unlike foreign products which often have to be shipped from a far distance with heavy cargo charges, and consequently making such goods expensive. Domestically produced items do not have to be transported over a long distance before they reach the end users, therefore, making the goods cost-effective and affordable for buyers. For instance, many Nigerian made clothes are relatively cheaper and affordable for people to buy than foreign clothing brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, which are high end brands that some average citizens cannot afford to buy.

Secondly, people patronise local brands because they are easily accessible and available in the market. This is because the chain of distribution from the manufacturers to the end users is relatably shorter and the necessary protocols are limited. However, with imported goods, they often have to undergo several protocols and due checks before they can be transported and distributed to other countries.

This is a positive development because when individuals buy locally made products, domestic businesses make more sales. Furthermore, when the demand for native products increases, there is a need for these companies to expand. Consequently, providing employment opportunities for local residents and enhancing their quality of life. Also, these manufacturing companies pay taxes, therefore, increasing revenue generation for the country.

In conclusion, patronizing local brands over foreign competitors is a good development. This is because it enhances economic growth and offers employment opportunities to the citizens of the country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both questions and state a consistent view: buying local goods is positive because it can support economic growth and employment. The reasons—lower transport costs and easier availability—are relevant, and the Nigerian clothing example helps illustrate affordability. This meets the task well, while the explanation of accessibility is less fully developed: the point about a shorter distribution chain is made, but its practical benefit to consumers could be clearer. The positive effects are also asserted more than demonstrated; for example, explain how increased sales lead to expansion and sustained jobs, or give a specific illustration. Developing these links and qualifying broad claims would make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall progression: an introduction gives your position, separate paragraphs explain two reasons and the positive effects, and the conclusion restates the view. Sequencing phrases such as “One of the reasons,” “Secondly,” and “Furthermore” help readers follow the argument, and paragraphing is appropriate. To make the progression more flexible and less dependent on signposting, connect ideas through clearer cause-and-effect links. For instance, the paragraph on accessibility could explain directly how fewer distribution stages improve availability. Also, “Consequently, providing employment opportunities…” is a sentence fragment, which interrupts the flow between ideas; attach it to the preceding sentence. These refinements would make cohesion smoother and referencing more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “locally manufactured products,” “cargo charges,” “chain of distribution,” and “revenue generation.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the example of Nigerian clothing gives the discussion some specificity. There are, however, occasional word-choice and collocation inaccuracies that limit precision: “relatably shorter” is not a natural way to describe a distribution chain, and “necessary protocols” is vague in this context. “Patronise” is understandable, but repeating “local brands/products” and “positive development” makes parts of the response less varied. Aim for more natural collocations and precise terms for transport, availability, and business growth; this would show greater flexibility while keeping the argument clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including a relative clause in “foreign products which often have to be shipped…” and conditional phrasing in “when individuals buy locally made products.” Most sentences are understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. The sentence beginning “Unlike foreign products…” is a fragment: the “Unlike” phrase needs to be joined to a main clause. Similarly, “Consequently, providing employment opportunities…” is incomplete and should be connected to the preceding sentence. In “many Nigerian made clothes,” the compound modifier needs a hyphen, while “the chain … is relatably shorter” also has an adverb-form problem. Check sentence completeness and the grammatical form of modifiers, and vary complex structures while maintaining control.

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