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Cambridge 10 Writing Task 2 Test 3 - Sample Answers (Band 9 to 4-5)

Real band 9, 8, 7 and 6.5 sample answers for this prompt, plus a genuine band 4-5 answer so you can see exactly what pulls a score down. Every sample comes with examiner-style notes on Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.

The Prompt

Global Similarity Through Products

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

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

Write at least 250 words.

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Band 9

255 words

Names specific cities to make its comparison concrete rather than arguing only in the abstract.

The fact that a consumer in Dhaka and a consumer in Detroit can buy an almost identical smartphone, pair of trainers or fast food meal is a direct result of globalised trade, and while this convenience is real, I believe the resulting cultural homogenisation is, on balance, a negative development.

There are undeniable practical benefits to this uniformity. Consumers everywhere gain access to products that were once available only in wealthy countries, from reliable electronics to affordable clothing, and this has genuinely raised living standards in many parts of the developing world. Global brands can also achieve economies of scale that make quality goods cheaper for everyone, a benefit that should not be dismissed lightly.

However, this convenience comes at a real cultural cost. When the same handful of global brands dominate markets everywhere, local producers, from small clothing manufacturers to traditional food vendors, struggle to compete on price, and many disappear entirely. Over time, this erodes the diversity that makes travelling to different countries meaningful in the first place, a high street in Bangkok increasingly resembles one in Berlin, both dominated by the same international chains. There is also a subtler effect on identity, as younger generations raised on globally marketed products can feel disconnected from the specific traditions, foods and crafts of their own culture.

In conclusion, while global products bring genuine convenience and have improved access to goods worldwide, the erosion of local industry and cultural distinctiveness makes this trend, overall, a worrying one rather than a purely positive story of progress.

Examiner Notes

Task Response: Fully addresses whether the development is positive or negative with a clear, well-supported position, and specific comparisons (Dhaka and Detroit, Bangkok and Berlin) give the argument real substance.

Coherence & Cohesion: Each paragraph carries a distinct function and cohesive devices ("however", "over time", "in conclusion") connect ideas naturally throughout.

Lexical Resource: Wide range of precise vocabulary ("cultural homogenisation", "economies of scale", "erodes the diversity") used with natural collocation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Wide range of complex structures used with full accuracy throughout.

Band 8

259 words

Well argued and clearly organised, just slightly more general in its examples than a band 9 answer.

Nowadays, people in almost any country can buy the same products, whether it is a smartphone, a pair of shoes, or a fast food meal, and I believe this development is mostly negative, even though it does bring some real benefits.

One clear advantage is that people everywhere now have access to good quality products that used to be available only in richer countries. This has improved living standards for many people, and it has also made products cheaper, because large global companies can produce goods much more efficiently than small local businesses. This has been especially noticeable in developing countries, where products that were once considered luxuries are now widely affordable.

However, I think the negative effects are more significant overall. When the same big international brands are available everywhere, small local businesses often cannot compete with their prices, and many of them eventually close down. This can also lead to a loss of local culture, because as more people buy the same global products, the differences between countries become smaller, and traditional local products or styles can slowly disappear. A shopping street in one country can start to look almost identical to a shopping street in a completely different part of the world. Even distinctive local landmarks like markets and family-run shops can end up surrounded by the same handful of international chains.

In conclusion, although being able to buy the same products everywhere brings clear benefits like affordability and access, I believe the loss of local business and cultural differences makes this an overall negative development.

Examiner Notes

Task Response: Fully addresses the question with a clear opinion and solid reasoning, though it stops short of naming specific cities or countries the way a band 9 answer does.

Coherence & Cohesion: Clear structure with an accurate "However" pivot between the positive and negative sections, and a well-signposted conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Good range of vocabulary, though "become smaller" is a plainer way of describing the loss of diversity than a higher-band answer would use.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Mostly accurate complex sentences with only rare minor slips that do not affect meaning.

Band 7

255 words

A clear, well-organised opinion that would benefit from one concrete example to anchor its reasoning.

Today, people in different countries can buy exactly the same products, like phones, clothes or fast food, no matter where they live. I think this is mostly a negative development, although it has some good points too. This essay will look at both sides of this issue before giving my final opinion.

One good thing is that people in poorer countries can now buy products that used to only be available in rich countries, so their standard of living can improve. Also, because big companies make so many products, the prices are often cheaper than before, which helps people who don't have much money. It also means that people who travel to other countries can easily find familiar products if they need them.

However, I think there are more negative effects. Small local businesses often can't compete with big international companies, so many of them have to close down over time. This also means that different countries start to look more similar, because they all have the same shops and same products, and traditional or local things become less common as time goes on. For example, small family shops selling local goods often find it very difficult to survive next to large international stores.

In conclusion, while there are some advantages like cheaper prices and better access to products, I believe the disadvantages, especially for small businesses and local culture, make this development mostly a negative one, and governments could help by supporting small local businesses so that some variety and choice can be preserved.

Examiner Notes

Task Response: Addresses the question with a clear position and relevant reasoning, though the supporting points stay fairly general rather than using a specific example.

Coherence & Cohesion: Clearly organised with a logical for/against structure, though cohesion relies on simple connectors ("Also", "However") throughout.

Lexical Resource: Adequate range, but "same" is repeated several times in the third paragraph where a synonym would help.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Generally accurate mix of simple and complex sentences; meaning is always clear.

Band 6.5

259 words

The argument is sound and balanced, but agreement errors on almost every task word noticeably lower the score.

Today, people in different country can buy exactly same product, like phone, clothes or fast food, no matter where they live. I think this is mostly negative development, although it have some good point too. This essay will look at both side of this issue before I give my final opinion, because this topic is affecting people and society in many country today.

One good thing is people in poorer country can now buy product that used to only available in rich country, so their standard of living can improve. Also, because big company make so many product, the price is often cheaper than before, which help people who don't have much money. It also mean people who travel to other country can easily find familiar product if they need it.

However, I think there is more negative effect. Small local business often can't compete with big international company, so many of them have to close down over time. This also mean different country start to look more same, because they all have same shop and same product, and traditional or local thing become less common as time go on. For example, small family shop selling local goods often find it very difficult to survive next to big international store.

In conclusion, while there is some advantage like cheaper price and better access to product, I believe the disadvantage, especially for small business and local culture, make this development mostly a negative one, and government could help by support small local business so some variety and choice can stay.

Examiner Notes

Task Response: Addresses the question with a clear position, matching a band 7 answer's content and structure, but grammar errors throughout make it harder to follow.

Coherence & Cohesion: Follows a clear for/against structure with connectors used appropriately, if repetitively.

Lexical Resource: Limited by missing plurals on key task words ("country", "product", "business") used throughout instead of their plural forms.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Frequent subject-verb agreement errors ("it have", "product that used to only available", "the price is", "big company make", "there is more negative effect", "time go on") appear on nearly every sentence.

Band 4-5 - What to Avoid

73 words

States an opinion but never actually argues for it, and stays well under the required length.

Today many country sell same thing. Phone, shoes, food all same everywhere. I think this is bad thing mostly.

Good thing is people can buy cheap product now. Poor country also can buy good thing.

But small shop cannot fight big company, they close. Also country all look same now, no more different, this is sad I think.

In conclusion I think this is negative development, this is my opinion about this topic.

Examiner Notes

Task Response: A position is stated but never actually argued, each point ("small shop cannot fight big company, they close") is asserted rather than explained. At well under 250 words, the response is also underlength.

Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are short, disconnected assertions rather than a developing argument, with minimal linking beyond "But" and "Also".

Lexical Resource: Vocabulary is basic and repetitive ("same", "thing" used repeatedly with little variation).

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Frequent errors throughout ("many country sell", "Phone, shoes, food all same", "country all look same").

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These sample answers are written independently for Prep IELTS Now to illustrate real band-score differences. They are a study aid, not official Cambridge or IELTS material.