Imported Food in Supermarkets: Positive or Negative Development

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Annotated response

11 correction notes

Showing 11 correction notes.

In today’s globalised world, it is increasingly common for supermarkets to offer a of food imported from different countries. Although some people argue that this trend harms the environment and domestic agriculture, I believe it is a positive development overall, as it enhances consumer choice and supports global economic growth.

One major benefit of international food availability is the wider range of choices it offers to consumers. People can enjoy products that are locally, such as tropical fruits, specialty cheeses, or spices from distant countries. This enriches everyday meals and caters to the needs of multicultural populations. For example, a shopper in Canada can easily find Thai jasmine rice, Italian pasta, or Brazilian coffee in a regular supermarket, culinary diversity and convenience.

Additionally, the helps farmers and producers in developing nations access international markets. Exporting goods allows them to earn higher incomes and improve their . It also promotes economic cooperation between countries and helps , especially in nations with limited agricultural output. While transporting food over does raise environmental concerns, through sustainable practices, such as reducing packaging and improving logistics.

In conclusion, despite certain environmental drawbacks, the global availability of food in supermarkets . It benefits consumers, supports economic development, and fosters cultural exchange when managed responsibly.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The strongest aspect is the clear, well-organized argument with a consistent position, relevant examples, and acknowledgement of counterarguments. The main limitation is the slightly under-length response, which falls short of the required word count, alongside ideas that could be developed in greater depth.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

Task Response

7.0

The response addresses the question directly with a clear, consistent position, well-developed main ideas, and relevant examples, but the response is 14 words short of the minimum length, limiting full coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0

Ideas progress logically across clearly managed paragraphs with effective use of cohesive devices such as referencing and linking phrases, with no noticeable strain on the reader.

Lexical Resource

7.0

Vocabulary is flexible and precise, with natural collocations like culinary diversity and global trade, showing some awareness of style and only minimal inaccuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0

A wide range of structures is used with strong control, including complex conditional and concessive sentences, with only rare minor errors that do not impede communication.