Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-16

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 5.5)

Despite the recent agricultural advances, people are still starving across the globe due to unequal distribution of food and poverty. This problem can be tackled by governmental efforts to provide food to unprivileged societies and creating opportunities to uplift poverty so people can afford to buy food.

Although there has been an increase in food production due to advancements in agriculture, there is still unequal distribution of food. There are many countries producing more food and grain than required while others are famished. This has led to food wastage in some places while people in other countries are malnourished. Governments can tackle this problem by asking people to donate and using that money to provide food for the starved.

Another important reason is poverty, even if there is an adequate amount of food, some people are unable to afford it due the lack of money. This is not only an agricultural problem but also an economical problem and can only be solved by creating new job opportunities. This way people can take care of their basic necessities like food, water, shelter and so on.

All in all, there have been advancements made in agriculture, but this does not directly solve the problem of world hunger. In order to tackle this problem, we must create new job opportunities and ensure equal distribution of food. Only then we will be able to see change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both parts of the prompt, identifying unequal distribution and poverty as key causes, and suggesting government intervention and job creation as solutions. However, the response is under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of development. The ideas are relevant but remain somewhat superficial; for instance, the suggestion that governments should 'ask people to donate' is a simplistic solution to a complex global issue. To reach a higher band, you need to expand on your arguments with more specific examples or detailed explanations to fully meet the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central focus. There is a logical progression from the introduction to the body paragraphs and the conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Although', 'Another important reason', and 'All in all', which help guide the reader. However, the transition between ideas is sometimes a bit mechanical, and the overall structure is quite brief. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences within paragraphs flow more naturally would strengthen the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'agricultural advances', 'unequal distribution', and 'malnourished'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common vocabulary related to economics and global development. For example, instead of 'uplift poverty', consider 'alleviate poverty' or 'address socio-economic disparities'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'uplift poverty' (which is not a standard collocation) and 'due the lack of money' (missing 'to'). Additionally, the sentence 'Only then we will be able to see change' requires an inverted structure for emphasis ('Only then will we be able...'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for small prepositions and word order.

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

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