Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-15

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry.

Why is this the case?

What can be done about this problem?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

In recent times, despite the technological advancements in agriculture, a large proportion of residents are still not able to afford food. In this essay, I shall explain its causes and what solutions can implemented to mitigate this issue.

To begin with, cost of agriculture has risen in many countries around the globe. Farmers have to purchase expensive pesticides, seeds and water which pick up the cost of food to a great extent. As an example, my cousin is on the verge of giving up farming because he argues that the local consumers are not interested in purchasing expensive fruits and vegetables. In some countries such as Pakistan, it is a common government strategy to ban import due to regional conflicts, resulting in high food prices. Moreover, developing countries don't have the advanced techniques to store food for a long time. Numerous food products such as grapes, mangoes and tomatoes have a limited shelf life.

In terms of solutions, governments should take practical measures to plummet the cost of raw agricultural materials which can ultimately trigger the reduction in food prices, making food affordable for citizens. For instance, Pakistani government should provide subsidies for water, seeds and pesticides. It should also lift the import ban after negotiating with neighbouring countries. Moreover, there should be tax-free and business-friendly environment for investors who plan to construct the cold stores in different cities. They will assist in protecting the food for a long period, resulting in reduction of food prices.

In conclusion, although there are above-mentioned hurdles in agriculture sector which are the causes of expensive food, government can assist in alleviating the food prices to a large extent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes of hunger and potential solutions. The ideas are relevant, such as the rising cost of agricultural inputs and the lack of storage infrastructure. However, the development is somewhat uneven. The explanation of why people go hungry is focused heavily on the cost of food rather than broader issues like poverty, distribution, or conflict, which limits the depth of the analysis. While the solutions are practical, they are somewhat repetitive, focusing almost exclusively on government subsidies. To reach a higher band, you should explore a wider range of perspectives, such as international aid, sustainable farming practices, or economic policy, to provide a more comprehensive answer.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the jump from the cousin's farming experience to the government strategy in Pakistan is a bit abrupt. Improving the use of referencing and ensuring that each sentence builds naturally upon the previous one would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'mitigate', 'infrastructure', and 'subsidies' appropriately. However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice. For example, 'pick up the cost' is an informal idiom that is not ideal for an academic essay; 'increase' or 'inflate' would be better. Similarly, 'plummet the cost' is used incorrectly, as 'plummet' means to fall rapidly, whereas you mean to 'reduce' or 'lower' the cost. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, you need to focus on more precise collocations and academic register to achieve a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. There are several minor grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the Pakistani government', 'the agriculture sector') and some awkward phrasing like 'what solutions can implemented' (should be 'can be implemented'). Additionally, there are minor issues with subject-verb agreement and pluralization. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. To improve, focus on proofreading for small errors like missing articles and ensuring that your passive voice constructions are complete.

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

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