Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-23
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)
A growing shift is being observed in the shopping preferences in recent years. Many consumers are focusing to purchase products which are produced by local business over imported goods. There can be various reasons such as higher selling price and the quality of the product. I consider this as a largely positive development because this trend can boost the development of the country.
One of the major reasons could be increase in prices. In regards to the imported goods, the end price is calcuted after including various factors such as labour, raw material, machines, transportation, exchange rates and import chargers. Hence, this process becomes more expensive by the time it reaches on the shelf of the third party seller in a different country. However, in the case of local businesses the cost of carrier and frieght gets eliminated which can result in better affordability.
Another factor supporting this view is the richness of the product. There are some sourced products which can lose it's quality and richness due to the time involved in shipping them on the designated stores. For example, perishable goods imported from different parts of the world can lose it's freshness within the process of carrier via trains or other modes of transit. However, if these products are grown and sold locally it can result in improved nutrients and purity.
In conclusion, I consider this as a positive trend overall because when products are grown within the area it can help the economy grow financially and economically. Hence, this influence can help local business provide more employement for the society along with organically produced goods at good prices.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
You address both questions: you give reasons for choosing local goods (price and freshness/quality) and state that you see the trend as positive. The explanation of import costs is relevant, and the example of perishable goods helps illustrate the second reason. Your conclusion also links local purchasing with employment and economic growth. This meets the task well, while the position and main ideas are clear. To make the response more fully developed, explain the economic benefits more specifically—for example, how spending locally supports producers or keeps income in the community. The claim that local goods offer better “nutrients and purity” also needs qualification or support, since this is not true of every locally produced item.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response has a clear overall progression: an introduction presents the position, two body paragraphs explain separate reasons, and a conclusion restates the positive view. Paragraphing is appropriate, and signposts such as “One of the major reasons,” “Another factor,” and “In conclusion” make the structure easy to follow. You also use contrast effectively with “However.” At times, though, the linking is somewhat formulaic, and the relationship between the reasons and the final claim about national development could be made more explicit. For example, connect the cost and freshness points directly to why consumers choose local goods, then show how that choice supports local businesses and employment.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “imported goods,” “raw material,” “transportation,” “perishable goods,” and “affordability.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and some less common terms show an attempt to be precise. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “focusing to purchase,” “import chargers,” “cost of carrier,” and “richness of the product.” Spelling errors in “calcuted,” “frieght,” and “employement” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural combinations such as “choose to buy,” “import duties,” and “shipping costs,” and check spelling carefully. This would make your vocabulary more precise without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “because,” “which,” and “if.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the overall meaning is clear. Some grammatical errors persist, however. For example, “products which are produced by local business” needs plural agreement or an article, while “lose it's quality” uses the wrong possessive form and has a singular-plural mismatch with “products.” The phrase “by the time it reaches on the shelf” also has an awkward prepositional pattern. Review articles, agreement, possessives, and prepositions, and proofread longer sentences to ensure each clause is complete and correctly connected.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.